גּוּר (gur)
gur
to sojourn; to quarrel; to dread
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 82 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb gur carries three distinct meanings that might seem unrelated at first glance: to sojourn, to quarrel, and to dread. In its most common usage, it describes the state of being a stranger or dwelling temporarily in a land that is not one’s own. This sense appears frequently in the Torah, such as when God reminds Israel that they were strangers in Egypt (Leviticus 19:34), emphasizing their vulnerable status and dependence on divine hospitality.
The word also describes conflict, specifically stirring up strife or engaging in a quarrel. This usage is rarer but adds a layer of tension to the concept of foreignness, suggesting that being an outsider can sometimes provoke dispute. Additionally, gur conveys deep fear or awe, particularly when directed toward God. In passages like Isaiah 8:13, believers are urged not to dread what others fear, but to regard the Lord as holy and awe-inspiring.
These meanings converge on the theme of vulnerability. Whether one is a sojourner without permanent rights, an agitator in conflict, or a person standing in awe before the divine, gur highlights a position of dependence. The word reminds readers that identity is often shaped by how one relates to those who hold power, whether through seeking shelter, facing opposition, or trembling in reverence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gur captures the reality of living as a stranger in a land that is not your own. For Abraham and his descendants, this was more than a geographical fact; it was a spiritual posture. They relied on God’s promise while navigating uncertain relationships with those who held local power. This reminds us that our true home is found in our covenant with God, not in permanent earthly settlements.
Being a foreigner often brings vulnerability, but it also clarifies where our trust lies. When we feel like outsiders or face unfamiliar challenges, we can look to the example of the patriarchs who trusted God’s provision even when their status was temporary. It invites us to find security in His presence rather than in our own stability.
This sense of dependence extends to how we treat others. Since Israel knew what it meant to be strangers in Egypt, they were called to extend kindness to those living among them. This word challenges us to offer hospitality and fairness, recognizing that every person reflects the image of the God who cares for the vulnerable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 82 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ sojourn18×
- who/ sojourns14×
- he will sojourn8×
- will he sojourn3×
- and/ he sojourned3×
- [was] sojourning3×
- you will be afraid2×
- sojourners2×
- and/ sojourners2×
- you will sojourn1×
- you have sojourned1×
- who/ sojourn1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לָ/ג֣וּר7×
- הַ/גָּ֣ר7×
- הַ/גָּ֥ר6×
- יָג֥וּר4×
- לָ/ג֥וּר3×
- לָ/ג֖וּר3×
- יָג֣וּר3×
- לָ/גוּר֙2×
- יָג֨וּר2×
- וַ/יָּ֖גָר2×
- וְ/גָרִ֥ים2×
- גָּרִ֥ים2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 12:10
There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in the land.
This verse establishes Abram’s reliance on God during a crisis, showing how sojourning tests and refines faith when earthly resources fail.
-
Leviticus 19:34
The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.
Here the word grounds ethical command in historical memory, linking the treatment of outsiders to Israel’s own experience of vulnerability in Egypt.
-
Genesis 20:1
Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived as a foreigner in Gerar.
Abraham’s residence in Gerar highlights the tension between divine promise and immediate danger, illustrating the precarious nature of life as a foreigner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does gur mean in the Bible?
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How is gur different from other words for stranger?
Every Occurrence (82 verses across 21 books)
Genesis 8 verses
There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in…
Genesis 19:9They said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one fellow came in to live as a foreigner, and he appoints himself a…
Genesis 20:1Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived as a foreigner in…
Genesis 21:23Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son.…
Genesis 21:34Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines many days.
Genesis 26:3Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these…
Genesis 35:27Jacob came to Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kiriath Arba (which is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac lived as…
Genesis 47:4They also said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live as foreigners in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’…