גּוּר (gur)
gur
whelp
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun gur refers to a young animal, specifically the cub or whelp of a lion or jackal. In the Hebrew Bible, this term highlights the vulnerable yet potentially dangerous stage of a wild creature’s life. It appears in only three verses, primarily within Genesis and Deuteronomy, where it serves to illustrate themes of protection and divine care.
Its most striking usage occurs in Genesis 49:9, where Jacob describes Judah as a lion’s whelp (gur) lying down among the prey. This imagery captures both the fierce strength inherent in the lineage of kings and the tender vulnerability of youth. The word is also found in Deuteronomy 32:11, comparing God’s care for Israel to an eagle stirring up its nest and hovering over its young, though the specific noun used there may vary by textual tradition; the concept of nurturing the gur remains central.
Translators typically render gur as "cub" or "whelp," preserving the sense of a dependent offspring. The term carries theological weight in these brief occurrences, reminding readers that even the most powerful figures in Scripture begin in states of dependence, sustained by the same God who watches over wild beasts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gur describes a young animal, specifically the cub or whelp of a wild creature like a lion or jackal. In Scripture, this image captures a delicate balance: the creature is vulnerable and dependent on its mother for survival, yet it carries the fierce potential of adulthood. This duality reminds us that strength often begins in a place of fragility. Even those destined for great leadership start as small, helpless beings who rely entirely on care.
When Jacob blesses Judah, he calls him a lion’s whelp lying among prey (Genesis 49:9). This suggests that true power does not need to constantly prove itself; it can rest in confidence because it knows its source. Similarly, Deuteronomy speaks of God hovering over His people like an eagle caring for its young. These images show that divine protection is active and tender, watching over us even when we feel small or exposed.
Reflecting on this word invites a sense of peace. You do not need to force your own strength right now. Like the whelp, you are held by a care that is both powerful and gentle. There is comfort in knowing that your current dependence is part of a larger story of growth and protection.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [is] a cub of2×
- young/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גּוּרֵי/הֶ֑ן1×
- גּ֤וּר1×
- גּ֣וּר1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 49:9
Judah is a lion’s cub. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up?
This verse uses the term to depict Judah’s royal lineage, showing how inherent strength can coexist with a posture of rest and trust.
-
Deuteronomy 33:22
About Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub that leaps out of Bashan.”
Here the word highlights Dan’s dynamic energy and readiness to act, illustrating the natural vitality present in youth before it matures.
-
Lamentations 4:3
Even the jackals offer their breast. They nurse their young ones. But the daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.
The poet contrasts the instinctual care of wild jackals for their whelps with the cruelty shown by God’s people, emphasizing the depth of national grief through this image of broken natural bonds.