Lexical Summary Gerar: Gerar Original Word: גְּרָר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gerar Probably from garar; a rolling country; Gerar, a Philistine city -- Gerar. see HEBREW garar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom garar Definition a place S. of Gaza NASB Translation Gerar (10). Brown-Driver-Briggs גְּרָר proper name, of a location south of Gaza, usually identified with modern Umm Jerâr BdPal 159 GuérinJudée ii. 257 ff.; but Wady Jer¥r west of ±Ain †ad£s according to TrumbullKadesh Barnea 61 ff. compare GutheZPV viii 1885, 215; Genesis 20:2; Genesis 26:6,20,26; 2Chron 14:12; 2 Chronicles 14:13; גְּרָ֫רָה Genesis 10:19, 26:1; נַ֫חַל גְּרָר Genesis 26:17; וַיָּגָר בִּגְרָר Genesis 20:1. גרשׂ (Arabic Topical Lexicon Overview Gerar is a border town in the southwestern reaches of Canaan, set on the edge of the Negev and the coastal plain. In Scripture it marks the meeting point between patriarchal promise and Philistine power, a place where covenant faithfulness is tested, affirmed, and displayed. Gerar’s valley with its seasonal riverbed provided pastureland, making it attractive to both nomadic herdsmen and settled Philistines. Ten Old-Testament references trace Gerar’s role from the Table of Nations to the reign of King Asa. Geographical Setting • Lies south-southeast of Gaza, west of Beersheba, along the Wadi es-Shari‘ah (modern Nahal Gerar). Patriarchal Encounters 1. Abraham in Gerar (Genesis 20): Fleeing famine, Abraham settles “between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar” (Genesis 20:1). His lapse regarding Sarah brings divine intervention, vindicating the sanctity of marriage and reminding Gentile rulers that Yahweh protects His covenant bearers. Covenant Affirmations and Blessing At Gerar God twice certifies His promise to the patriarchs: first by preserving Sarah’s purity and seed, then by multiplying Isaac’s crops and herds. Human weakness does not nullify divine faithfulness. The oath sworn between Isaac and Abimelech models peaceful coexistence without compromise of identity. Gerar and the Philistines • Political Structure: A hereditary title “Abimelech” suggests dynastic rule; the presence of a standing army commander (Phicol) indicates organized governance. Gerar in the Divided Kingdom Period During King Asa’s reign the Cushite host under Zerah advances into Judah. After earnest prayer Asa routs the invaders: “Asa and the people with him pursued them as far as Gerar. And so many Cushites fell that they could not recover” (2 Chronicles 14:13). The pursuit continues beyond Gerar, and the spoils taken from the surrounding towns (2 Chronicles 14:14) highlight the city’s strategic importance as a corridor to Egypt and Africa. Theological and Ministry Themes • God’s Sovereignty over Borders: Whether patriarchal wanderings or national warfare, Gerar demonstrates that boundaries are ultimately governed by the LORD. Prophetic and Typological Echoes Gerar, situated between promised land and foreign territory, prefigures the Church’s mission field—living among the nations while holding covenant promises. The reopened wells mirror the restoration of gospel truth in times of drought, and the covenant meal anticipates table fellowship in Christ that reconciles former enemies. Key References Genesis 10:19; 20:1–2; 26:1, 6, 17, 20, 26 Forms and Transliterations בִּגְרָֽר׃ בגרר׃ גְּרָ֔ר גְּרָ֖ר גְּרָֽרָה׃ גְרָ֖רָה גְרָ֗ר גרר גררה גררה׃ לִגְרָר֒ לגרר מִגְּרָ֑ר מגרר biḡ·rār bigRar biḡrār gə·rā·rāh ḡə·rā·rāh gə·rār ḡə·rār geRar gərār ḡərār geRarah gərārāh ḡərārāh liḡ·rār ligRar liḡrār mig·gə·rār miggeRar miggərārLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:19 HEB: מִצִּידֹ֔ן בֹּאֲכָ֥ה גְרָ֖רָה עַד־ עַזָּ֑ה NAS: as you go toward Gerar, as far KJV: as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; INT: Sidon go Gerar far Gaza Genesis 20:1 Genesis 20:2 Genesis 26:1 Genesis 26:6 Genesis 26:17 Genesis 26:20 Genesis 26:26 2 Chronicles 14:13 2 Chronicles 14:14 10 Occurrences |
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bray, pound, grind, coarse, Aramaic גְּרַס (rare) crush, 
, crushed, 
crush, destroy; compare following).