גֵּוָה (ge.vah)
ge.vah
back
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun gevah refers specifically to the back of a person or animal. In Scripture, it appears only once, in Job 20:25, where it describes the physical target of a weapon’s strike.
This rare usage highlights the vulnerability of the human body. The text depicts a sword coming against the back, an image that emphasizes exposure and defenselessness rather than strength or honor. Translators typically render this word simply as "back," preserving its concrete, anatomical sense without adding metaphorical layers not present in the immediate context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gevah refers simply to the back, the part of the body that cannot see what is coming and has no hands to defend itself. In Job 20:25, this image captures a moment of total exposure. The wicked man faces terrors from behind, unable to block or evade the strike. This stark picture reminds us how fragile human strength can be when we stand alone against judgment.
Yet this vulnerability also points to our need for protection. We cannot always see the dangers ahead, nor can we shield ourselves from every blow of life. The Bible invites us to trust in a God who sees what is behind us and before us. When we feel exposed or overwhelmed, we can rest in the truth that He holds us securely, even when we are defenseless.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ [the] back1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/גֵּ֫וָ֥ה1×
Key Verses
-
Job 20:25
He draws it out, and it comes out of his body. Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver. Terrors are on him.
The word highlights the target of divine judgment, showing that no one can hide from God's sight or protect themselves from His justice.