גּוּד (gud)
gud
to raid
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb gud means to attack or invade with force. It describes a sudden, aggressive assault rather than a prolonged battle. This word appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in contexts involving military raids.
In Genesis 14:7, it describes the kings’ campaign against the hill country of the Amorites, highlighting their swift and violent advance. Similarly, Habakkuk 1:8 uses gud to depict the Chaldeans’ horses as leaping over fortifications during a raid. The term emphasizes the shock and intensity of the strike.
Its rarity in Scripture makes each occurrence significant. Translators often render it as "raid" or "attack," capturing the element of surprise and force. The word underscores the destructive power of invading armies in biblical narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gud describes a sudden, violent raid rather than a prolonged battle. It captures the shock and intensity of an aggressive assault, often catching defenders off guard. In Scripture, this imagery highlights the destructive power of invading armies and the vulnerability of those under attack.
When we face unexpected troubles or feel overwhelmed by external pressures, this word reminds us that some storms come with speed and force. Yet, even in these moments of trembling fear, there is space to wait quietly on God. He remains our refuge when chaos rises around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it will attack/ him1×
- he will attack1×
- [which] attacks us/ it1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָגֻ֥ד1×
- יְגוּדֶֽ/נּוּ\׃1×
- יְגוּדֶ֑/נּוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Habakkuk 3:16
I heard, and my body trembled. My lips quivered at the voice. Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, for the coming up of the people who invade us.
This verse uses gud to describe the terrifying approach of an invading people, causing the prophet physical trembling and fear before he chooses to wait quietly for God's deliverance.
-
Genesis 49:19
“A troop will press on Gad, but he will press on their heel.
Here, the word depicts a troop pressing hard against Gad, illustrating the fierce military pressure that tribe would face yet also their ability to strike back fiercely.