Lexical Summary Gezer: Gezer Original Word: גֶּזֶר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gazer, Gezer The same as gezer; Gezer, a place in Palestine -- Gazer, Gezer. see HEBREW gezer NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gazar Definition "portion," a Levitical city on the border of Ephraim NASB Translation Gezer (15). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. גֶּ֫זֶר proper name, of a location (portion) Levitical city on border of Ephraim Joshua 10:33; Joshua 12:12; Joshua 21:21; 1 Kings 9:16; 1 Chronicles 6:52; 1 Chronicles 7:28; 1 Chronicles 20:4; גָּ֑זֶר Joshua 16:3,10; Judges 1:29 (twice in verse) compare 2 Samuel 5:25; 1 Kings 9:15,17; with ָ ה locative גָּ֑זְרָה 1 Chronicles 14:16; — cuneiform Gazri, BezTell el-Amarna Tabl. BM. 148; modern Tell-Jezer, approximately 18 miles north of west from Jerusalem, south of the Jaffa road; Gann in PEF1873, 78 f.; 1875, 74 f. compare BdPal 17. Topical Lexicon Etymology and Sense of the Name Derived from a verb that speaks of cutting or dividing, the name hints at a place established by decisive action and, in Israel’s history, one that often stood at a critical crossroads between peoples and empires. Geographical Setting Gezer lay in the western foothills of the central hill country, roughly midway between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean coast. It commanded the approach to the Aijalon Valley and the ascent of Beth-horon, the very corridor armies used to move from the coast up to the interior highlands. Its fertile surroundings, abundant water supply, and position on a major caravan route made it a coveted stronghold. Conquest under Joshua When the southern Canaanite coalition attacked Gibeon, Joshua’s forces rushed to its aid. “Then Horam king of Gezer went up to help Lachish, but Joshua struck him down and his people, leaving no survivors” (Joshua 10:33). Though the Canaanite army was routed, the fortified city itself does not appear to have fallen at that moment, foreshadowing Israel’s later struggle to gain full control of the site. Allotment to Ephraim and the Levites Gezer formed the southwestern border of Ephraim’s inheritance (Joshua 16:3) and, within that tribal allotment, was assigned to the Kohathite Levites (Joshua 21:21; 1 Chronicles 6:67). The arrangement underscored the city’s importance: a strategic location placed in the hands of those charged with teaching the Law and leading the people in worship. Failure to Expel the Canaanites Despite its divine assignment, “they did not drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the Ephraimites but are forced laborers” (Joshua 16:10; reiterated in Judges 1:29). Israel’s compromise brought long-term tension, showing how partial obedience can hinder spiritual and national security. Gezer in the Wars of David Generations later, David defeated a Philistine incursion there: “David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer” (2 Samuel 5:25; 1 Chronicles 14:16). The city again served as a frontier between Israel and its enemies, and victory at Gezer testified to the Lord’s faithfulness in empowering His anointed king. Solomon’s Fortification and the Egyptian Dowry Solomon incorporated Gezer into his ambitious building program. Its acquisition came through international diplomacy: “Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer, had burned it with fire, had killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and had given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. And Solomon rebuilt Gezer…” (1 Kings 9:16-17). The fortified city became part of a triad—along with Hazor and Megiddo—designed to secure trade, defend borders, and support the centralized kingdom. Later Battles and the Giant Wars During the reign of David, yet another conflict at Gezer is noted: “In another battle with the Philistines at Gezer, Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaim” (1 Chronicles 20:4). The record underscores the city’s repeated role as a stage for confrontations with formidable foes—including remnants of the giant clans—until Israel’s supremacy was firmly established. Archaeological Corroboration Excavations at Tel Gezer have revealed massive fortification walls, a six-chambered gate comparable to those at Hazor and Megiddo (linking the site to Solomon’s era), residential quarters, and a large water tunnel. The findings illuminate the biblical portrayal of Gezer as a key defensive and administrative center. Theological Themes 1. Faithfulness versus Compromise: Israel’s incomplete obedience in Gezer warns that lingering strongholds can become future battlefields. Ministry Implications • Spiritual strongholds often lie along the borders where God’s people engage the surrounding culture; decisive action and continual vigilance are required. Key References Joshua 10:33; Joshua 16:3, 10; Joshua 21:21 1 Chronicles 6:67; 14:16; 20:4 Forms and Transliterations בְּגֶ֖זֶר בְּגָ֑זֶר בְּגָֽזֶר׃ בגזר בגזר׃ גֶּ֔זֶר גֶּ֖זֶר גֶּ֙זֶר֙ גֶּ֤זֶר גָּ֑זֶר גָּ֔זֶר גָּֽזְרָה׃ גָּֽזֶר׃ גָֽזֶר׃ גזר גזר׃ גזרה׃ bə·ḡā·zer bə·ḡe·zer beGazer bəḡāzer beGezer bəḡezer gā·zə·rāh gā·zer ḡā·zer Gazer gāzer ḡāzer Gazerah gāzərāh ge·zer gezerLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 10:33 HEB: הֹרָם֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ גֶּ֔זֶר לַעְזֹ֖ר אֶת־ NAS: Horam king of Gezer came up to help KJV: king of Gezer came up INT: Horam king of Gezer to help Lachish Joshua 12:12 Joshua 16:3 Joshua 16:10 Joshua 21:21 Judges 1:29 Judges 1:29 2 Samuel 5:25 1 Kings 9:15 1 Kings 9:16 1 Kings 9:17 1 Chronicles 6:67 1 Chronicles 7:28 1 Chronicles 14:16 1 Chronicles 20:4 15 Occurrences |