The Gebalites were an ancient people associated with the city of Gebal, known today as Byblos, located on the coast of modern-day Lebanon. This city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and was a significant center of trade and culture in the ancient Near East. The Gebalites are mentioned in the Bible in the context of their interactions with the Israelites and their role in the construction of Solomon's Temple.

Biblical References

The Gebalites are referenced in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of their skilled craftsmanship. In 1 Kings 5:18 , it is noted that the Gebalites, along with the Sidonians and Tyrians, were involved in preparing timber and stone for the building of the Temple: "So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone to build the temple." This passage highlights the Gebalites' expertise in stone-cutting and construction, which was highly valued in the ancient world.

Additionally, the Gebalites are mentioned in Ezekiel 27:9 in the context of a lamentation over the city of Tyre, where they are described as skilled shipbuilders: "The elders of Gebal and their wise men repaired your leaks; all the ships of the sea and their sailors came alongside to barter for your goods." This indicates that the Gebalites were not only proficient in construction but also in maritime activities, contributing to the prosperity and trade of Tyre.

Historical and Cultural Context

Gebal, or Byblos, was a prominent city in the ancient Phoenician civilization, known for its production of papyrus and its role in the spread of the Phoenician alphabet. The city's strategic location on the Mediterranean coast made it a hub for trade and cultural exchange. The Gebalites, as inhabitants of this city, were likely influenced by the various cultures and peoples with whom they interacted, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and other Semitic peoples.

The Gebalites' skills in construction and shipbuilding were essential to the economic and cultural development of the region. Their expertise was sought after by neighboring kingdoms, including Israel, as evidenced by their involvement in the building of Solomon's Temple. This collaboration between the Israelites and the Gebalites reflects the interconnectedness of the ancient Near Eastern societies and the mutual benefits derived from such partnerships.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the mention of the Gebalites in the construction of Solomon's Temple underscores the theme of cooperation between different peoples in the service of God's purposes. The Temple, a central place of worship for the Israelites, was built with the help of skilled artisans from various nations, symbolizing the gathering of diverse talents and resources to honor God. This collaboration can be seen as a foreshadowing of the inclusion of Gentiles in the worship of the God of Israel, a theme that is further developed in the New Testament.

The Gebalites' role in biblical history serves as a reminder of the importance of using one's skills and talents for the glory of God and the benefit of His people. Their contributions to the construction of the Temple highlight the value of craftsmanship and the dignity of labor in the service of divine purposes.(1 Kings 5:18 R.V., in A.V. incorrectly rendered, after the Targum, "stone-squarers, " but marg. "Giblites"), the inhabitants of Gebal (2). GEBALITES

ge'-bal-its (ha-gibhlim): Inhabitants of GEBAL (which see). According to the present text of Joshua 13:5, "the land of the Gebalites" was given to Israel as part of its future territory. But it was never occupied by the Israelites. Septuagint, however, has a very different reading, indicating an early corruption of the text. Perhaps with many modern scholars it is better to read "to the borders of the Gebalites."

In 1 Kings 5:18 the King James Version translates this word "stone-squarers," the King James Version margin gives "Giblites," and the Revised Version (British and American) "Gebalites," as workmen who, with the men of Solomon and of Hiram, fashioned the stones for the temple. Here also the text is doubtful, and some by a slight change would read: "and made a border for them" (i.e. for the stones). In Ezekiel 27:9 the men of Gebal are described as the "calkers" of the ships of Tyre and Sidon.

George Rice Hovey

1382. Gibli -- inhab. of Gebal
... Gebalite. Word Origin from Gebal Definition inhab. of Gebal NASB Word Usage
Gebalite (1), Gebalites (1). Giblites, stone-squarer. ...
/hebrew/1382.htm - 6k

How Amaziah Made an Expedition against the Edomites and Amalekites ...
... soldiers for a hundred talents of silver, for he had resolved to make an expedition
against the nations of the Amatekites, and Edomites, and Gebalites: but as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how amaziah made.htm

Gebalites (2 Occurrences)
...GEBALITES. ... According to the present text of Joshua 13:5, "the land of the Gebalites"
was given to Israel as part of its future territory. ...
/g/gebalites.htm - 8k

Gebal (3 Occurrences)
... It is mentioned by Jos (13:5) as the land of the Gebalites (which see) (the King
James Version "Giblites"), and the Gebalites are also mentioned in 1 Kings 5 ...
/g/gebal.htm - 11k

Gebalite (1 Occurrence)
... Joshua 13:5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise,
from Baal Gad under Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath; (Root in WEB JPS ...
/g/gebalite.htm - 6k

Geb'alites (1 Occurrence)
Geb'alites. Gebalites, Geb'alites. Geber . Multi-Version Concordance Geb'alites
(1 Occurrence). ... Gebalites, Geb'alites. Geber . Reference Bible.
/g/geb'alites.htm - 6k

Lebanon (66 Occurrences)
... hyenas, wolves, and panthers are still found (compare 2 Kings 14:9). 5. History:
The original inhabitants of Lebanon were Hivites and Gebalites (Judges 3:3 ...
/l/lebanon.htm - 45k

Lebo-hamath (6 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising,
from Baal-gad under mount Hermon unto the entrance of Hamath; (See NAS). ...
/l/lebo-hamath.htm - 8k

Lebo (12 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising,
from Baal-gad under mount Hermon unto the entrance of Hamath; (See NAS NIV). ...
/l/lebo.htm - 9k

Timber (32 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 5:18 Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and the Gebalites did fashion
them, and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house. ...
/t/timber.htm - 18k

Timbers (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 5:18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and the Gebalites did fashion
them, and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house. ...
/t/timbers.htm - 8k

Baal-gad (3 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising,
from Baal-gad under mount Hermon unto the entrance of Hamath; (ASV BBE DBY ...
/b/baal-gad.htm - 8k

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