גָּרֵב (ga.rev)
ga.rev
Gareb
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Gareb appears only three times in Scripture and carries a striking literal meaning: "scabby" or "leprous." It is used as a proper noun for two distinct entities, both rooted in this same Hebrew root. The first refers to a man, one of David’s mighty warriors mentioned in the list of heroes in 2 Samuel 23:38.
The second usage identifies a geographical location, the Hill of Gareb, situated southwest of Jerusalem. This place is noted in 2 Chronicles 26:9 as part of the fortifications King Uzziah built to strengthen the city’s defenses. The name likely describes the rough, uneven terrain of the hillside or perhaps a historical association with skin disease, though the text does not elaborate on why the location received this specific designation.
Despite its unglamorous meaning, the word highlights how biblical names often reflect physical realities or conditions rather than idealized virtues. The recurrence of Gareb in both military and architectural contexts shows that ordinary, even harsh-sounding names were part of the landscape and history of ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Gareb appears in Scripture with a meaning that might initially seem unappealing: "scabby" or associated with skin disease. Yet, this raw, honest naming reflects a world where physical realities were not hidden but acknowledged. When we encounter such names, we see a God who is not afraid of the messy, difficult parts of human existence. He does not require us to present only polished versions of ourselves; He meets us in our actual conditions.
This word connects two very different scenes: a mighty warrior in David’s army and a hill on the outskirts of Jerusalem. In both cases, the name serves as a marker of place or person without hiding its etymology. It reminds us that God’s story includes ordinary people and rugged landscapes. The faithfulness of Gareb the warrior shows that strength and loyalty are not reserved for those with elegant names.
Similarly, the Hill of Gareb became part of Jerusalem’s defenses under King Uzziah. What might have been seen as a rough or undesirable spot was integrated into the city’s protection. This offers a quiet hope: places and people marked by hardship can still play a vital role in God’s larger plan for preservation and order.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Gareb3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גָּרֵ֖ב2×
- גָּרֵ֑ב1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 23:38
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
This verse lists Gareb as one of David's mighty men, showing that individuals with harsh-sounding names were trusted defenders of Israel.
-
I Chronicles 11:40
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
The parallel account in Chronicles confirms Gareb’s identity among the warriors, emphasizing his reliability in a time of national instability.
-
Jeremiah 31:39
The measuring line will go out further straight onward to the hill Gareb, and will turn toward Goah.
Here, the Hill of Gareb marks the boundary of Jerusalem's restoration, indicating that even rough terrain is included in God's promise of renewal.