גֶּ֫זֶר (ge.zer)
ge.zer
Gezer
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun gezer refers to a specific town in ancient Israel, primarily identified as a Levitical city situated on the border of the tribe of Ephraim. Its name is traditionally linked to the Hebrew root meaning "portion" or "allotment," reflecting its role as a designated inheritance for the priestly families rather than a standard tribal territory. This etymological connection underscores the theological significance of the location within the land distribution narratives found in Joshua.
Gezer appears thirteen times across Scripture, with significant mentions in Joshua 21:21, where it is listed among the cities assigned to the Kohathite priests, and in 1 Kings 9:16-17, which records Pharaoh’s military conquest and subsequent gift of the city to Solomon’s wife. The historical record also notes its inclusion in Chronicles, highlighting its enduring importance as a strategic and religious center throughout the monarchy period.
While the word itself is a proper noun, its usage reveals much about the political and spiritual landscape of Israel. The city’s transition from Egyptian control to Israelite possession illustrates the complex history of territorial claims during the early monarchy. By anchoring the discussion in these specific historical events, the text provides a concrete backdrop for understanding how divine promises intersected with real-world geopolitics in the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Gezer appears in Scripture as a real place where ancient history meets divine promise. It was a Levitical city given to priests, showing how God provided for those who served in the tabernacle. At the same time, it was a strategic border town caught between tribes and empires. This dual role reminds us that faith lives out in concrete settings—cities, borders, and daily routines—not just in abstract ideas.
When we read about Pharaoh taking Gezer or Solomon rebuilding it, we see how God’s plans unfold through real political events. The Canaanites remained there for generations, yet the land was still assigned to Israel. This shows that God’s promises do not always erase difficulty immediately; they often work alongside it. We can trust that He is present even when circumstances are complex or unresolved.
For your life today, Gezer invites you to see your own “border towns” as places where God is at work. Whether you face ongoing challenges or waiting periods, remember that assignment and presence go together. God gives purpose even in mixed situations. His faithfulness does not depend on perfect conditions but on His steady commitment to His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Gezer9×
- in/ Gezer3×
- at/ Gezer1×
- Gezer/ <towards>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גֶּ֖זֶר2×
- בְּ/גָ֑זֶר2×
- גָּֽזֶר\׃1×
- גָּֽזְרָ/ה\׃1×
- גָּ֔זֶר1×
- גָּ֑זֶר1×
- גֶּ֤זֶר1×
- גֶּ֙זֶר֙1×
- גֶּ֔זֶר1×
- גָֽזֶר\׃\ \פ1×
- בְּ/גָֽזֶר\׃\ \פ1×
- בְּ/גֶ֖זֶר1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 21:21
They gave them Shechem with its pasture lands in the hill country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the man slayer, and Gezer with its pasture lands,
This verse assigns Gezer to the Kohathite priests, highlighting its role as a Levitical inheritance rather than a standard tribal territory.
-
I Kings 9:16
Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, taken Gezer, burned it with fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it for a wedding gift to his daughter, Solomon’s wife.
Pharaoh’s conquest and gift of Gezer to Solomon’s daughter show how geopolitical shifts intersected with Israel’s royal history.
-
Joshua 10:33
Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua struck him and his people, until he had left him no one remaining.
The king of Gezer’s failed attempt to help Lachish illustrates the city’s military significance during Israel’s conquest period.
-
I Kings 9:15
This is the reason of the forced labor which King Solomon conscripted: to build Yahweh’s house, his own house, Millo, Jerusalem’s wall, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.
Solomon’s conscription of laborers to rebuild Gezer demonstrates its ongoing strategic value in the united monarchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gezer mean in the Bible?
Why is Gezer important in Scripture?
Who controlled Gezer at different times?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 5 books)
Joshua 5 verses
Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua struck him and his people, until he had left him no one…
Joshua 12:12the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;
Joshua 16:3and it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border of Beth Horon the lower, and on to Gezer; and…
Joshua 16:10They didn’t drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell in the territory of Ephraim to this…
Joshua 21:21They gave them Shechem with its pasture lands in the hill country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the man slayer,…