גֶּ֫זֶר (ge.zer)
ge.zer
piece
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun gezer simply means a part or a piece. It is a basic term for division, referring to any segment taken from a larger whole. The word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, making it a rare but straightforward lexical item.
In both occurrences, it denotes a physical portion. In Genesis 14:24, Abraham refuses to take even a thread or a sandal strap, insisting that not so much as a gezer (part) of any spoil should belong to him. Similarly, in Psalm 55:13, the psalmist laments betrayal by a close companion who once shared his life, now standing against him as an equal part of the conspiracy.
The term lacks complex theological nuance or metaphorical depth. It functions primarily as a concrete descriptor for division. Translators typically render it as "part," "portion," or "piece," depending on the surrounding context. Its rarity suggests that biblical authors preferred other words for abstract concepts of sharing or inheritance, reserving gezer for simple physical separation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gezer refers simply to a piece or part of something larger. It is a concrete term used to describe physical division rather than abstract concepts. In Genesis, Abraham uses this idea when refusing even a small portion of spoils, showing that integrity matters more than material gain.
Similarly, the psalmist describes betrayal as a painful splitting of what was once whole. When friends turn against each other, the bond is broken into separate parts. This word reminds us that relationships require care to remain unified.
Understanding this term helps us see how Scripture values wholeness in our dealings with others. It invites reflection on how we treat those around us and whether we honor the connections God has given us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ pieces1×
- into/ pieces1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לִ/גְזָרִ֑ים1×
- הַ/גְּזָרִ֥ים1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 15:17
It came to pass that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.
This verse uses the related concept of pieces to describe the covenant ritual, though gezer itself appears in Genesis 14:24 where Abraham refuses a part of the spoil.
-
Psalms 136:13
to him who divided the Red Sea apart, for his loving kindness endures forever;
This verse describes dividing the sea, which relates to separation but does not use gezer directly; the word appears in Psalm 55:13 regarding betrayal.