גְּשׁוּרִי (ge.shu.ri)
ge.shu.ri
Geshurite
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The term gəšūrî designates an inhabitant of Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom located in the region north of the Sea of Galilee. In the Hebrew Bible, it functions as a gentilic noun, identifying people by their geographic origin rather than by ethnicity or religion. The sources describe these individuals as a tribe dwelling near Philistia, placing them within the complex political landscape of Iron Age Palestine.
Although Geshur was a distinct entity, its inhabitants appear in Scripture primarily through their interactions with major biblical figures. David spent time there during his flight from King Saul, and he married Maacah, a daughter of the king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3). This connection highlights how such minor tribal groups served as diplomatic bridges or safe havens during periods of regional instability.
The word occurs six times in the Old Testament, with significant mentions in Joshua, Deuteronomy, and First Samuel. These references often list Geshur among other territories that Israel did not fully conquer or control. The term underscores the fragmented nature of the land, where small independent polities existed alongside larger powers like Philistia and Egypt.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The term Geshurite identifies a people from a small Aramean kingdom north of the Sea of Galilee. In the Old Testament, this word appears in lists of territories that Israel did not fully conquer. These references remind us that the land was complex, filled with independent groups living alongside larger powers like Philistia and Egypt.
One notable connection is King David’s time in Geshur during his flight from Saul. He married Maacah, a princess from this region, which shows how these small communities served as safe havens or diplomatic bridges during unstable times. This history highlights God’s providence even in foreign lands.
For your faith, this word illustrates that God’s plan unfolds through many nations and peoples, not just Israel. It invites us to see the broader world as part of His sovereign design, where even small, often overlooked groups play a role in biblical history. We can trust that God is active everywhere, guiding events for His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Geshurite[s]6×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/גְּשׁוּרִ֖י3×
- הַ/גְּשׁוּרִֽי\׃1×
- הַ/גְּשׁוּרִ֥י1×
- הַ/גְּשׁוּרִ֣י1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 27:8
David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those were the inhabitants of the land who were of old, on the way to Shur, even to the land of Egypt.
This verse shows David raiding the Geshurites, illustrating their role as inhabitants of the land during his time in exile.
-
Joshua 13:13
Nevertheless the children of Israel didn’t drive out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath live within Israel to this day.
It records that Israel did not drive out the Geshurites, who continued to live within Israelite territory to this day.
-
Deuteronomy 3:14
Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called them, even Bashan, after his own name, Havvoth Jair, to this day.)
This reference marks the border of Geshur as part of the region taken by Jair, showing its geographic significance in Bashan.