גִּלְבֹּעַ (gil.bo.a)
gil.bo.a
Gilboa
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Gilboa, meaning "swollen heap," refers to a mountain ridge located at the southeastern end of the Jezreel Valley. In the Hebrew Bible, this geographical feature serves as the backdrop for some of the most tragic moments in Israel’s early monarchy. The sources identify it specifically as the place where King Saul and his son Jonathan fell in battle.
Its prominence in Scripture is tied to its role as a site of mourning rather than victory. The text records David’s lament over the fallen leaders on this ridge, famously cursing it for refusing dew and rain (2 Samuel 1:21). This poetic rejection highlights how the location became permanently associated with national grief and the end of Saul’s reign, appearing repeatedly in historical records to mark that pivotal turning point.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Gilboa appears in Scripture not as a place of triumph, but as a site of profound loss. It is the ridge where King Saul and his son Jonathan fell, marking the end of an era for Israel. When we encounter this word, we are reminded that even the strongest leaders are vulnerable to human frailty and the complexities of history.
David’s reaction to this tragedy offers a powerful model for how we handle grief. Instead of celebrating the fall of his rival, he mourns deeply, cursing the mountains only in poetic lament over what was lost. This teaches us that honoring those who have gone before us, even when their reigns ended poorly, is part of a faithful heart.
For your own life, Gilboa serves as a gentle reminder that victory does not guarantee safety, and that sorrow is a natural part of the human journey. It invites you to approach loss with dignity and to trust in God’s ultimate redemption, even when the present moment feels like a defeat.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ Gilboa3×
- Gilboa2×
- on <the>/ Gilboa1×
- in <the>/ Gilboa1×
- at <the>/ Gilboa1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/גִּלְבֹּֽעַ\׃2×
- גִּלְבֹּֽעַ\׃2×
- בַּ/גִּלְבֹּֽעַ\׃2×
- הַ/גִּלְבֹּ֔עַ1×
- בַ/גִּלְבֹּ֗עַ1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 31:1
Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.
This verse establishes Gilboa as the specific location where Israel fled and fell, setting the stage for the national tragedy.
-
II Samuel 1:21
You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain on you, and no fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty was defiled and cast away, the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil.
David’s poetic curse here highlights how the mountain became permanently associated with mourning rather than divine blessing.
-
I Chronicles 10:8
On the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
The chronicler repeats this detail to emphasize the finality of Saul’s defeat and the discovery of his body on the ridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Gilboa mean?
Why is Gilboa mentioned so often in the Bible?
Why did David curse the mountains of Gilboa?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 3 books)
I Samuel 3 verses
The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together,…
I Samuel 31:1Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain…
I Samuel 31:8On the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount…