-
GimelAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GIMEL
Gimel [ג].
The third letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The name assigned to the letter is similar to the word ga·malʹ, meaning “camel.” Later, outside the Hebrew Scriptures, as a number, it denoted three.
It is the softest of the palatal letters except for yohdh [י] and corresponds generally to the English “g” when it has within it the point (dagesh lene); but without this point it is pronounced softer, more down in the throat.
In the Hebrew, this is the first letter in the opening word in each of the eight verses of Psalm 119:17-24.
-
-
GimzoAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GIMZO
(Gimʹzo) [sycamore].
A city of Judah that, with its dependent towns, was captured by the Philistines during the reign of Ahaz. (2 Chron. 28:18, 19) It is usually identified with Jimzu, a large village about thirteen and a half miles (21.7 kilometers) SE of modern Tel Aviv.
-
-
GinathAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GINATH
(Giʹnath).
Father of Tibni the unsuccessful rival of Omri for the kingship over the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel.—1 Ki. 16:21, 22.
-
-
GinnethoiAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GINNETHOI
(Ginʹne·thoi) [gardener].
One of the heads of the priests who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel in 537 B.C.E. (Neh. 12:1, 4, 7); he may be the same as Ginnethon at Nehemiah 12:16.
-
-
GinnethonAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GINNETHON
(Ginʹne·thon) [gardener].
1. A paternal house of priests headed by a certain Meshullam during Nehemiah’s governorship.—Neh. 12:12, 16, 26.
2. One of the priests, or the forefather of one who attested by seal the “trustworthy arrangement” contracted during Nehemiah’s governorship.—Neh. 9:38; 10:1, 6, 8.
-
-
GirdleAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GIRDLE
See ARMS, ARMOR; DRESS.
-
-
Girgashite(s)Aid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GIRGASHITE(S)
(Girʹga·shite[s]).
A people descended from Ham through Canaan. (Gen. 10:6, 15, 16; 1 Chron. 1:8, 13, 14) The Girgashites resided W of the Jordan. Although powerful, they and six other Canaanite nations suffered defeat, for Jehovah delivered them into the hands of his people. (Deut. 7:1, 2; Josh. 3:10; 24:11) This fulfilled God’s promise made to Abraham centuries earlier. (Gen. 15:13-21; Neh. 9:7, 8) The names “Girgash” and “Ben-Girgash,” found in the Ugaritic literature, have been cited as indirect confirmation of the Girgashites’ existence.
-
-
GirzitesAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GIRZITES
(Girʹzites).
A people who were among the victims of a raid that David and his 600 men made during their sixteen-month stay with the Philistines. David took much livestock as spoil, but did not preserve any of the Girzites alive. Probably nomads, the Girzites lived in the territory S of Judah in the general direction of Egypt.—1 Sam. 27:2, 7-9.
-
-
GishpaAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GISHPA
(Gishʹpa) [possibly, listening, attentive].
An overseer of the Nethinim temple slaves in Nehemiah’s day.—Neh. 11:21.
-
-
GittaimAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GITTAIM
(Gitʹta·im) [two winepresses].
The site to which (for unstated reasons) the Beerothites fled. (2 Sam. 4:1-3) Benjamites settled Gittaim after the exile. (Neh. 11:31, 33) The exact location is unknown; some suggest an identification with a place called Gamteti in the Tell el-Amarna letters, likely in the vicinity of modern Ramleh.—See BEEROTH.
-
-
GittiteAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GITTITE
(Gitʹtite).
A term often applied to an inhabitant or native of the Philistine city of Gath. (Josh. 13:2, 3) Giant Goliath was a “Gittite.” (2 Sam. 21:19; 1 Chron. 20:5) Gittites, including Ittai (called “a foreigner” and “an exile” from his home), faithfully stuck with David during his flight at the time of Absalom’s rebellion.—2 Sam. 15:13, 18-22; 18:2; see GATH; ITTAI No. 1.
The term “Gittite,” however, is also applied to Obed-edom, in whose home the ark of the covenant temporarily rested. (2 Sam. 6:10, 11; 1 Chron. 13:13) Some scholars believe he similarly was from Philistine Gath. It seems more likely, however, that Obed-edom was a Levite, and may have been called a “Gittite” because he came from the Levite city of Gath-rimmon.—Josh. 21:20, 23, 24; see OBED-EDOM No. 1.
-
-
GittithAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GITTITH
(Gitʹtith).
A musical expression of uncertain meaning, appearing in the superscriptions of Psalms 8, 81 and 84. The term seems to be derived from the Hebrew word gath, which is also the name of a town located on the border of Judah and Philistia. Some have suggested that “Gittith” has reference to a musical instrument or a melody originating at Gath. Another possibility is that “Gittith” denotes a tune associated with vintage songs, since gath denotes a press for wine or oil. The Greek Septuagint Version and the Latin Vulgate, therefore, render “Gittith” as “wine presses.”
-
-
GizoniteAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GIZONITE
(Giʹzo·nite).
A designation referring either to the family or to the place of origin of Hashem, whose “sons” were among the mighty men of David’s military forces. (1 Chron. 11:26, 34) However, the derivation of “Gizonite” cannot be ascertained with any certainty, as “Gizon” and “Gizo” are not mentioned anywhere in the Scriptures.
-
-
GlassAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GLASS
A mixture of special sand (silica) with traces of other elements such as boron, phosphorus, lead, and so forth. These ingredients are melted together at a temperature of about 3000 degrees Fahrenheit (1649 degrees Centigrade). The newly formed glass, when cooled, is noncrystalline, smooth, extremely hard and quite brittle. Volcanic heat has produced a form of glass called “obsidian,” and lightning, striking sand, sometimes fuses it into “fulgurites,” long, slender tubes of glass, often called “petrified lightning.”
When this unique substance was first made by man is not known. In Egypt have been found glass beads that archaeologists believe were made some 4,000 years ago, about the time Abraham was born. Job, who lived in the seventeenth century before the Common Era, names glass alongside gold for preciousness when he says: “Gold and glass cannot be compared to [wisdom].”—Job 28:17.
Egyptian artisans were skilled in molding, cutting, grinding and engraving glass. They knew how to imitate the colors of some of the precious stones. The Greeks and Phoenicians engaged in glassmaking and the Romans became skilled in it, also developing to a higher degree the art of glass cutting. A Roman vase, called the Portland Vase, said to have been made about 70 C.E., the year of Jerusalem’s destruction by the Romans, is now in the British Museum. It is reported as being valued at more than $50,000.00.
It is possible that the ancients were familiar with optical magnification by means of glass. A quartz lens has been found in the ruins of Nineveh, but some believe that if it was truly used as a lens, it was used only to focus the sun’s rays as a burning glass.
The apostle John, in describing his visions, makes mention of “clear glass” and “transparent glass” (Rev. 21:18, 21); also of “a glassy sea like crystal.”—Rev. 4:6.
-
-
GleaningAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GLEANING
The process of gathering whatever portion of a certain crop the harvesters had intentionally or unintentionally left behind. God’s law to Israel specifically directed his people not to reap the edges of their fields completely, not to go over the boughs of the olive tree after having harvested the crop by beating the tree, nor to gather the leftovers of their vineyards. Even if a sheaf of grain was inadvertently left in the field, this was not to be retrieved. Gleaning was the God-given right of the poor in the land, the afflicted one, the alien resident, the fatherless boy and the widow.—Lev. 19:9, 10; Deut. 24:19-21.
The account of Ruth provides an outstanding example of the application of this loving provision of God’s law. Although having the right to glean, Ruth asked the one in charge of the harvesters for permission to do so, and this may have been the general practice of the gleaners. Ruth was treated kindly, Boaz even instructing his harvesters to pull out some of the ears from the bundles and leave them behind for her to glean. While this made it easier for Ruth, nevertheless it required effort on her part. She kept right on busily gleaning behind Boaz’ harvesters from morning to evening, sitting down in the house only a little while and taking time out to eat.—Ruth 2:5-7, 14-17.
It is evident that this fine arrangement for the poor of the land, while encouraging generosity, unselfishness and reliance on Jehovah’s blessing, in no way fostered laziness. It throws light on David’s statement: “I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely, nor his offspring looking for bread.” (Ps. 37:25) By availing themselves of the provision made for them by the Law, even the poor, by virtue of their hard work, would not go hungry, and neither they nor their children would have to beg for bread.
FIGURATIVE AND ILLUSTRATIVE USES
When the Ephraimites accused Gideon of not calling them to the fight at the start of the battle against Midian, Gideon said: “Are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the grape gathering of Abi-ezer [the house to which Gideon belonged]?” He interpreted his illustration by pointing out that Ephraim’s part (though it followed the initial battle) in capturing Midian’s princes Oreb and Zeeb was far greater than all that Gideon himself had done. (Judg. 8:1-3; 6:11) The Scriptures also refer to the slaying of remaining ones in warfare, after the main portion of the conflict was over, as “a gleaning.” (Judg. 20:44, 45) The remnant remaining temporarily after Jehovah’s emptying the land of Judah is likened to “the gleaning when the grape gathering has come to an end,” and Micah speaks of the remnant of God’s inheritance in the midst of the morally corrupt people as “the gleaning of a grape gathering.”—Isa. 24:13; Mic. 7:1-8, 18; compare Jeremiah 6:9; 49:9, 10.
-
-
GledeAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GLEDE
Glede [Heb., day·yahʹ].
The Hebrew name for this bird occurs in the list of unclean birds at Deuteronomy 14:13, but does not appear in the corresponding list at Leviticus 11:14. Five Hebrew manuscripts, and also the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Septuagint Version, omit day·yahʹ at Deuteronomy 14:13. Some scholars believe that it may be a scribal correction originally placed in the margin but which eventually was introduced into the text itself. However, the plural form (dhay·yohthʹ) appears at Isaiah 34:15 as describing birds gathered at the ruins of Edom following its desolation.
It is suggested that the Hebrew name of this bird is derived from the verb meaning “to fly swiftly.” The identification of the bird meant is quite uncertain; hence, the English name “glede” is probably as suitable a translation as any, since “glede” in English is a name variously applied to any of several birds of prey, though especially to the common European kite. Most modern authorities relate the Hebrew dhay·yohthʹ to the kite, there being more than one variety of this bird found in Palestine.—See KITE.
-
-
GluttonAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GLUTTON
A selfish, greedy person given to excessive indulgence, especially overeating. Gluttony in any form is diametrically opposed to Bible precepts and principles.
The Mosaic law struck at the root of the matter in that parents of an incorrigible son who was a glutton and a drunkard were to bring him to the older men of the city, who would have him stoned to death. (Deut. 21:18-21) As a warning to others, the Proverbs condemned even association with gluttons: “One having companionship with gluttons humiliates his father.” “Do not come to be among heavy drinkers of wine, among those who are gluttonous eaters of flesh. For a drunkard and a glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe one with mere rags.”—Prov. 28:7; 23:20, 21.
In an effort to discredit Jesus Christ, one of the charges of slander hurled at him by his opponents was: “Look! A man gluttonous and given to drinking wine.” Jesus simply refuted the false charge by saying, “Wisdom is proved righteous by its works” or “by all its children.” (Matt. 11:19; Luke 7:34, 35) In other words, Jesus was saying, ‘Look at my righteous works and conduct and you will know the charge is false.’
Gluttony certainly has no place in the Christian congregation, and the apostle Paul wanted to make sure it would not creep in. So, when leaving Titus in Crete to look after the young Christian organization there, he reminded Titus what one of Crete’s own prophets (thought to have been Epimenides, a Cretan poet of the sixth century B.C.E.) had said: “Cretans are always liars, injurious wild beasts, unemployed gluttons.” Therefore, the overseers whom Titus would appoint, Paul said, should be men free of all such accusations, men who were not drunkards or greedy, and who had good self-control.—Titus 1:5-12.
Although not listed separately as a ‘work of the flesh,’ gluttony often accompanies drunken bouts and revelries, and is certainly included in the comprehensive expression “things like these,” the practicers of which “will not inherit God’s kingdom.” (Gal. 5:19, 21) Moderation in eating habits, as in all other activities, is a Christian virtue.—1 Tim. 3:2, 11.
-
-
GnatAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GNAT
Any of a variety of small two-winged insects, many of which are bloodsuckers. The Hebrew word kin·nimʹ (or, kin·namʹ), when used with reference to the third plague visited upon Egypt (Ex. 8:16-18; Ps. 105:31), has been variously rendered “gnats” (NW, Ro, RS), “mosquitoes” (AT) and “lice” (AV); “sand flies” and “fleas” have been given as alternate readings. (AS [Ex. 8:16, ftn.]) Although there is uncertainty as to the particular insect or insects designated by the original-language word, the preference has generally been given to the renderings “gnats” and “mosquitoes.”
At Isaiah 51:6 the Hebrew term ken, ordinarily meaning “the right manner, this manner, thus,” is translated “gnat” (NW) and “gnats” (AS, ftn., RS). This is because ken here is evidently the singular form of kin·nimʹ (or, kin·namʹ), since the word preceding it in the text, kemohʹ, by itself means “like” or “in like manner.”
The only other reference to the gnat in Scripture is in Jesus’ denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees for straining out the gnat but gulping down the camel. The Jewish religious leaders were sticklers for little things, filtering their beverages so as not to contract ceremonial defilement by swallowing a gnat. (Lev. 11:21-24) However, their disregarding the weightier matters of the Law was comparable to swallowing a camel, likewise a ceremonially unclean animal.—Lev. 11:4; Matt. 23:23, 24.
-
-
GoadAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
GOAD
An agricultural implement consisting of a rod approximately eight feet (2.5 meters) in length and chiefly used for driving and guiding bulls or oxen when plowing. One end of the rod is equipped with a sharp metal point to prick the animal, and a broad chisellike blade affixed to the other end is used for removing dirt and clay from the plowshare or clearing it of roots and thorns.
A “cattle goad” was used by Shamgar in killing 600 Philistines. The Bible record also mentions that when the Philistines had the upper hand on the Israelites during Saul’s reign, the Israelites were not permitted to have smiths and therefore were forced to go down to the Philistines to get their farming implements sharpened and to have their cattle goads (apparently the
-