Original Word: גִּבְעַת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Gib`ath
Pronunciation: ghib-ath'
Phonetic Spelling: (ghib-ath')
KJV: Gibeath
Word Origin: [from the same as H1375 (גְּבִיַע - cups)]

1. hilliness
2. Gibath

Gibeath

From the same as gbiya'; hilliness; Gibath -- Gibeath.

see HEBREW gbiya'

Word Origin
the same as Gibah, q.v.

גִּבְעַת proper name, of a location (Ges^{§ 80}, R. 2) see foregoing, 2

Name and Meaning

Giḇʿath (גִּבְעַת) carries the idea of an elevated place or hill. The single appearance of the form in Joshua 18:28 links it to a specific settlement within Benjamin’s inheritance, yet its root connects it to a wider cluster of Benjamite “hill” sites (for example Gibeah, Strong’s Hebrew 1390). These cognate names emphasize the topography of Benjamin’s allotment—rugged, defensible high ground straddling the approach routes to Jerusalem.

Placement in Benjamin’s Inheritance

Joshua 18 records the final territorial allocations after Israel had taken possession of the land. The allotment to Benjamin was strategically tucked between the powerful tribes of Ephraim and Judah, containing both the later‐royal city of Jerusalem and several elevated strongholds. Giḇʿath is listed among fourteen towns (Joshua 18:28). The Berean Standard Bible reads: “Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (that is Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath—fourteen cities, with their villages.” In this context Giḇʿath underscores the military and administrative importance of Benjamin; the tribe would supply Israel’s first king, Saul, and repeatedly play a pivotal role in national affairs (Judges 19–21; 1 Samuel 9:1-2).

Distinction from Other Hill Towns

The Old Testament mentions several places transliterated “Gibeah/Gibeath.” Although the names share the same root, they must be distinguished by their specific Hebrew spellings and narrative settings. The notorious “Gibeah of Benjamin” involved in the crime of Judges 19 is probably the same location later called “Gibeah of Saul” (1 Samuel 15:34), but that form is 1390. Giḇʿath (1394) may point to the same physical site or to an adjacent quarter, reflecting dialect or scribal nuance. The single occurrence leaves room for scholarly debate, yet Scripture’s internal harmony allows us to see every spelling as a complementary facet of God’s record rather than a contradiction.

Historical Significance

In the monarchy period, the hill country of Benjamin proved indispensable. From its heights Saul could monitor north–south traffic along the central ridge route and the Jericho ascent to the east. Even if Giḇʿath was a satellite hamlet, it contributed manpower, supplies, and strategic depth to Israel’s fledgling kingdom. When the nation later split, Benjamin’s hills continued to guard the northern approaches to Jerusalem, foreshadowing later confrontations with Assyria (Isaiah 10:28-32) and Babylon (Jeremiah 6:1).

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Fulfillment: Joshua 18 demonstrates the faithfulness of God in allotting the land He had sworn to Abraham (Genesis 13:14-17). Every named town, including Giḇʿath, attests to the precision of divine promise-keeping.
2. Divine Sovereignty and Human Choice: Benjamin’s hills became scenes of both courage (1 Samuel 14) and grievous sin (Judges 19–21). The juxtaposition reminds believers that covenant privilege never negates moral responsibility.
3. Messianic Foreshadowing: From the same tribal territory came Saul, a king who outwardly impressed yet inwardly failed, preparing the stage for David and, ultimately, the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ (Luke 1:32-33).

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Unsung Places Matter: Giḇʿath is mentioned once, yet it stands forever in God’s written Word. Every local fellowship and every believer, however small, has a part in God’s redemptive plan (1 Corinthians 12:18-22).
• Guard the High Ground: The physical hills of Benjamin remind the church to hold fast to doctrinal “high ground”; vigilance protects the community from moral and theological erosion (2 Timothy 1:13-14).
• Remember Covenantal Faithfulness: Just as Giḇʿath testified to fulfilled promises, believers are called to rehearse God’s past faithfulness as fuel for present obedience and future hope (Hebrews 10:23).

גִּבְעַ֣ת גבעת giḇ‘aṯ giḇ·‘aṯ givAtInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts