Original Word: בֵּית־גָּדֵר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Beyth-Gader
Pronunciation: bayth gaw-dare'
Phonetic Spelling: (bayth-gaw-dare')
KJV: Beth-gader
NASB: Beth-gader
Word Origin: [from H1004 (בַּיִת - house) and H1447 (גָּדֵר - wall)]

1. house of (the) wall
2. Beth-Gader, a place in Israel

Beth-gader

From bayith and gader; house of (the) wall; Beth-Gader, a place in Palestine -- Beth-gader.

see HEBREW bayith

see HEBREW gader

Word Origin
from bayith and geder
Definition
"place of a wall," a place in Judah
NASB Translation
Beth-gader (1).

בֵּית גָּדֵר proper name, of a location in Judah (place of a wall) 1 Chronicles 2:51 (as proper name, masculine) ᵐ5 Βαιθγαιδων ᵐ5^L Βηθγεδδωρ; = גֶּ֫דֶר Joshua 12:13 ?, compare הַגְּדֵרִי 1 Chronicles 27:28, etc.

Location and Identification

Beth-gader (Beth Gader) is mentioned once in the Old Testament. The settlement belonged to the hill-country of Judah, near the inheritance of Caleb’s descendants. Its proximity to Bethlehem in the same genealogy (1 Chronicles 2:51) has led most historical geographers to place it within a few miles of Bethlehem, possibly at modern Khirbet el-Gedūr or another fortified tell on the western slopes of the Judean highlands. The name itself implies a “walled” or “enclosed” house, suggesting either a fortified outpost guarding the approach to Bethlehem or an agricultural estate protected by substantial stone fences typical of the region.

Biblical Context

1 Chronicles 2 traces the lineage of Judah to establish covenant continuity from the patriarchs to the monarchy and ultimately to the Messiah. Within that list, “Salma the father of Bethlehem, Hareph the father of Beth-gader” (1 Chronicles 2:51) pairs Beth-gader with Bethlehem, anchoring both towns in Caleb’s family line. The Chronicler writes after the exile, providing returning Judeans with proof that their ancestral towns—and by extension, their covenant identity—remained intact despite past dislocation.

Historical Significance for Judah

1. Strategic Value: Situated in the Judean hill country, Beth-gader would have controlled access routes descending toward the Shephelah and Philistine plain, complementing Bethlehem’s defensive role to the east.
2. Agricultural Importance: The Hebrew root behind “gader” is used elsewhere for vineyard walls (for example, Isaiah 5:2). The village may have specialized in viticulture or olive cultivation, reflecting the economic strengths of Judah’s hill country.
3. Calebite Heritage: Caleb’s legacy emphasized wholehearted devotion to the LORD (Joshua 14:8–14). That heritage was perpetuated not only through individuals but also through the towns they founded. Beth-gader thus became a marker of faithfulness within Judah’s territorial memory.

Spiritual and Theological Themes

House with a Wall: Scripture often employs walls and hedges as metaphors for divine protection (Psalm 18:2; Hosea 2:6). Beth-gader’s very name whispers assurance that the LORD erects sturdy boundaries around those who belong to Him.

Covenant Land: By recording even a small locality, the Spirit underscores that every parcel of the Promised Land matters in God’s redemptive plan. Beth-gader, though obscure, participates in the same covenant geography that leads ultimately to Bethlehem—the birthplace of David and of Christ (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5–6).

Genealogical Precision: The Chronicler’s single reference to Beth-gader underscores the reliability of Scripture’s historical claims. The detailed preservation of minor towns testifies to the meticulous providence guiding Israel’s story.

Lessons for Ministry Today

1. Value the Overlooked: As Beth-gader proves, no community is too small to be recorded in God’s Word. Local ministries in seemingly insignificant places contribute to the grand narrative of redemption.
2. Guarded Spaces: Just as the town’s name evokes secure walls, congregations are called to cultivate environments that safeguard sound doctrine while welcoming the repentant (Acts 20:28–31).
3. Legacy of Faith: Caleb’s descendants established towns that endured for centuries. Leaders today are urged to build ministries whose influence lasts beyond their lifetime by rooting them firmly in Scripture and covenant loyalty.
4. Restoration Hope: For post-exilic readers, Beth-gader signified that ancestral inheritances were not lost. Modern believers facing displacement—cultural, social, or geographic—may find similar hope in the Lord who restores and secures His people’s dwelling places.

גָּדֵֽר׃ גדר׃ gā·ḏêr gaDer gāḏêrInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts