גִּיחוֹן (gi.chon)
gi.chon
Gihon
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Giḥôn, meaning "bursting forth," identifies one of the four rivers described as flowing from the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:13. The term conveys the image of water springing up with force or pressure, rather than a gentle, steady stream. This etymology aligns with its appearance in later biblical history, where it names the spring near Jerusalem that supplied the city’s water (2 Kings 20:20; 2 Chronicles 32:30).
Although the Genesis account places this river in Eden, ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters often linked the name to the Gihon Spring in Jerusalem. This connection likely arose from the shared meaning of the word, suggesting a continuity between the primordial source of life and the vital water source for God’s chosen city. The name appears six times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in historical books that recount the building projects and water infrastructure of Jerusalem.
Translators typically retain "Gihon" as a proper noun, preserving its specific identity rather than translating it as "the bursting spring." This choice maintains the distinction between the geographical location and the descriptive action. The word serves as a linguistic bridge, connecting the cosmic geography of creation with the tangible history of Israel’s capital.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Gihon carries the sense of water bursting forth with force. In Genesis, it marks one of the rivers flowing from Eden, reminding us that life begins with God’s generous provision. This image of abundant, pressurized water points to the source of all sustenance, not just for ancient gardens but for every need we face today.
Later, this same name appears in Jerusalem’s history. King Solomon was anointed at the Gihon spring, and King Hezekiah worked to channel its waters to protect his people. These events show how God uses physical places and resources to guide His plans. The water that once flowed from Eden finds a new role in securing the city of David.
For your faith, this word connects the grand story of creation with the specific history of God’s people. It invites you to trust that the same God who provided for Eden is actively involved in the details of your life. Whether in times of celebration or preparation, His provision remains steady and sufficient.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Gihon3×
- of/ Gihon1×
- at/ Gihon1×
- [is] Gihon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גִּחֽוֹן\׃2×
- לְ/גִיח֨וֹן1×
- גִּיח֑וֹן1×
- גִיחוֹן֙1×
- בְּ/גִח֗וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 2:13
The name of the second river is Gihon. It is the same river that flows through the whole land of Cush.
This verse establishes Gihon as a primordial river from Eden, linking the word to the original source of life and God's creative power.
-
I Kings 1:45
Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon. They have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that you have heard.
Here the anointing at Gihon triggers public rejoicing, showing how this location became a stage for God’s sovereign choice of kingship.
-
II Chronicles 32:30
This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of David’s city. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
Hezekiah’s engineering project at Gihon demonstrates practical faith, using available resources to ensure the city's survival during crisis.