גּוּף (guph)
guph
to shut
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb guph is a rare term meaning simply to shut or close. It appears only once in the entire Old Testament, found in Nehemiah 7:3. In this specific context, the Hiphil form is used to describe the command to close the gates of Jerusalem as evening approaches.
Its usage here is practical and administrative rather than metaphorical. The word describes the physical act of securing the city’s entrances, likely involving heavy doors or bars. This single instance highlights a moment of civic order and security in the restored community, where controlling access was essential for safety.
Because it does not appear elsewhere in Scripture, guph lacks the theological weight or extended metaphorical range seen in more common words for closing. It serves as a precise lexical marker for that specific historical action recorded by Nehemiah, reminding readers of the tangible efforts made to protect the rebuilt city.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word guph appears only once in the Old Testament, describing the physical act of shutting a gate. In Nehemiah 7:3, it captures a moment of practical order as the community secured Jerusalem against potential threats. This simple action reflects a deeper truth about boundaries and safety in our lives.
While we often seek spiritual meanings in every word, some terms simply describe real-world events. Here, the focus is on protection and vigilance rather than abstract theology. It reminds us that caring for our community sometimes involves setting clear limits to keep what is precious safe from harm.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- let them shut1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָגִ֥יפוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 7:3
I said to them, “Don’t let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut the doors, and you bar them; and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, with everyone near his house.”
This verse uses the Hiphil form of guph to command the physical closing and barring of Jerusalem's gates, highlighting a specific historical measure for civic security rather than a metaphorical spiritual principle.