1507. Gezer
Lexical Summary
Gezer: Gezer

Original Word: גֶּזֶר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Gezer
Pronunciation: GEH-zer
Phonetic Spelling: (gheh'-zer)
KJV: Gazer, Gezer
NASB: Gezer
Word Origin: [the same as H1506 (גֶּזֶר - asunder)]

1. Gezer, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Gazer, Gezer

The same as gezer; Gezer, a place in Palestine -- Gazer, Gezer.

see HEBREW gezer

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from 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.
2. Sovereign Provision: God repeatedly provided deliverance at Gezer—through Joshua, David, and eventually an Egyptian ally—to secure His purposes for the nation.
3. Priestly Witness: The city’s Levitical assignment reminds believers that spiritual instruction must stand where culture and commerce intersect.

Ministry Implications

• Spiritual strongholds often lie along the borders where God’s people engage the surrounding culture; decisive action and continual vigilance are required.
• Leadership that couples strategic planning with reliance on the Lord—as seen in David and Solomon—models effective stewardship of resources.
• The pattern of Gezer encourages churches to place gospel-centered ministries in influential locations, recognizing both the risks and the opportunities inherent in such positions.

Key References

Joshua 10:33; Joshua 16:3, 10; Joshua 21:21

Judges 1:29

2 Samuel 5:25

1 Kings 9:15-17

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 gezer
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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
HEB: אֶחָ֔ד מֶ֥לֶךְ גֶּ֖זֶר אֶחָֽד׃
NAS: one; the king of Gezer, one;
KJV: one; the king of Gezer, one;
INT: one the king of Gezer one

Joshua 16:3
HEB: תַּחְתּ֖וֹן וְעַד־ גָּ֑זֶר וְהָי֥וּ [תֹצְאֹתֹו
NAS: Beth-horon even to Gezer, and it ended
KJV: the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out
INT: of lower far to Gezer become plenty

Joshua 16:10
HEB: הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י הַיּוֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּגָ֑זֶר וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֜י
NAS: who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites
KJV: that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites
INT: the Canaanites lived Gezer live the Canaanites

Joshua 21:21
HEB: אֶפְרָ֑יִם וְאֶת־ גֶּ֖זֶר וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃
NAS: of Ephraim, and Gezer with its pasture lands,
KJV: for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
INT: the hill of Ephraim and Gezer lands

Judges 1:29
HEB: הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י הַיּוֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּגָ֑זֶר וַיֵּ֧שֶׁב הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛י
NAS: who were living in Gezer; so the Canaanites
KJV: that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites
INT: the Canaanites were living Gezer lived the Canaanites

Judges 1:29
HEB: הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛י בְּקִרְבּ֖וֹ בְּגָֽזֶר׃ פ
NAS: lived in Gezer among
KJV: dwelt in Gezer among
INT: the Canaanites among Gezer

2 Samuel 5:25
HEB: עַד־ בֹּאֲךָ֥ גָֽזֶר׃ פ
NAS: from Geba as far as Gezer.
KJV: from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
INT: far come Gezer

1 Kings 9:15
HEB: מְגִדּ֖וֹ וְאֶת־ גָּֽזֶר׃
NAS: Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.
KJV: and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
INT: Hazor Megiddo and Gezer

1 Kings 9:16
HEB: וַיִּלְכֹּ֤ד אֶת־ גֶּ֙זֶר֙ וַיִּשְׂרְפָ֣הּ בָּאֵ֔שׁ
NAS: up and captured Gezer and burned
KJV: and taken Gezer, and burnt
INT: had gone and captured Gezer and burned fire

1 Kings 9:17
HEB: שְׁלֹמֹה֙ אֶת־ גָּ֔זֶר וְאֶת־ בֵּ֥ית
NAS: rebuilt Gezer and the lower
KJV: built Gezer, and Bethhoron
INT: rebuilt Solomon Gezer Beth-horon and the lower

1 Chronicles 6:67
HEB: אֶפְרָ֑יִם וְאֶת־ גֶּ֖זֶר וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶֽׁיהָ׃
NAS: lands, Gezer also with its pasture lands,
KJV: with her suburbs; [they gave] also Gezer with her suburbs,
INT: the hill of Ephraim Gezer lands

1 Chronicles 7:28
HEB: נַעֲרָ֔ן וְלַֽמַּעֲרָ֗ב גֶּ֤זֶר וּבְנֹתֶ֙יהָ֙ וּשְׁכֶ֣ם
NAS: and to the west Gezer with its towns,
KJV: and westward Gezer, with the towns
INT: Naaran the west Gezer towns and Shechem

1 Chronicles 14:16
HEB: מִגִּבְע֖וֹן וְעַד־ גָּֽזְרָה׃
NAS: from Gibeon even as far as Gezer.
KJV: from Gibeon even to Gazer.
INT: Gibeon far Gezer

1 Chronicles 20:4
HEB: וַתַּעֲמֹ֧ד מִלְחָמָ֛ה בְּגֶ֖זֶר עִם־ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
NAS: broke out at Gezer with the Philistines;
KJV: war at Gezer with the Philistines;
INT: broke war Gezer with the Philistines

15 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1507
15 Occurrences


bə·ḡā·zer — 3 Occ.
bə·ḡe·zer — 1 Occ.
gā·zer — 4 Occ.
gā·zə·rāh — 1 Occ.
ge·zer — 6 Occ.

1506
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