גֹּב (gov)
gov
Gob
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun gov, meaning "cistern," appears in only two verses of Scripture, both located in 2 Samuel. It functions as a proper place name, identifying a specific site that served as the setting for military clashes between King David’s elite warriors and the Philistine forces.
Lexical sources indicate that this location is likely an alternative name for Gezer, a significant city in ancient Israel. The term itself evokes the image of a water reservoir, a vital feature in the region’s landscape. By linking gov to Gezer, the text anchors these battles in a known geographical context, highlighting the strategic importance of the area during David’s reign.
Though brief, the mention of gov underscores the tangible nature of Israel’s conflicts with neighboring powers. These verses record specific encounters that demonstrate the growing strength of David’s army and their ability to secure territory against established enemies like the Philistines.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Gob appears in only two verses, yet it carries significant weight in the narrative of King David’s reign. It identifies a specific location where David’s elite warriors faced off against Philistine forces. The word itself likely refers to a cistern or water reservoir, highlighting how vital resources shaped ancient warfare and settlement patterns.
These brief mentions anchor our faith in real history. They remind us that God was actively working through ordinary places and people to establish justice and security for Israel. When we read about battles at Gob, we see the tangible reality of God’s provision and protection during turbulent times.
Understanding this context helps us appreciate the historical depth of Scripture. It shows that our faith is not based on abstract ideas alone but on events that happened in specific locations like Gob. This grounding encourages trust in God’s sovereign hand over history and our own lives today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- at/ Gob2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/ג֖וֹב2×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 21:18
After this, there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was of the sons of the giant.
This verse records Sibbecai the Hushathite killing Saph, a giant from the Philistine forces, demonstrating David’s growing military strength at this strategic location.
-
II Samuel 21:19
There was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite’s brother, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
Here Elhanan kills Goliath’s brother, clarifying a potential confusion with other biblical accounts and emphasizing the decisive nature of the victory at Gob.