a variation of the name Geshem. (Nehemiah 6:6) (B.C. 446.)
Gatam
(a burnt valley), the fourth son of Eliphaz the son of Esau, (Genesis 36:11; 1 Chronicles 1:36)
and one of the “dukes” of Eliphaz. (Genesis 36:16) (B.C. after 1760.)
Gate
The gate and gateways of eastern cities anciently held and still hold an important part, not only
in the defence but in the public economy of the place. They are thus sometimes taken as representing
the city itself. (Genesis 22:17; 24:60; 12:12; Judges 5:8; Ruth 4:10; Psalms 87:2; 122:2) Among
the special purposes for which they were used may be mentioned.
•As places of public resort. (Genesis 19:1; 23:10; 34:20; 24; 1 Samuel 4:18) etc.
•Places for public deliberation, administration of Justice, or of audience for kings and rulers or
ambassadors. (16:18; 21:19; 25:7; Joshua 20:4; Judges 9:35) etc.
•Public markets. (2 Kings 7:1) In heathen towns the open spaces near the gates appear to have been
sometimes used as places for sacrifice. (Acts 14:13) comp 2Kin 23:8 Regarded therefore as
positions of great importance, the gates of cities were carefully guarded, and closed at nightfall.
(3:5; Joshua 2:5,7; Judges 9:40,44) They contained chambers over the gateway. (2 Samuel 18:24)
The doors themselves of the larger gates mentioned in Scripture were two leaved, plated with
metal, closed with locks and fastened with metal bars. (3:6; Psalms 107:16; Isaiah 46:1,2) Gates
not defended by iron were of course liable to be set on fire by an enemy. (Judges 9:52) The gateways
of royal palaces and even of private houses were often richly ornamented. Sentences from the law
were inscribed on and above the gates. (6:9; Isaiah 64:12; Revelation 21:21) The gates of Solomon’s
temple were very massive and costly, being overlaid with gold and carving. (1 Kings 6:34,35; 2
Kings 18:16) Those of the holy place were of olive wood, two-leaved and overlaid with gold;
those of the temple of fir. (1 Kings 6:31,32,34; Ezekiel 41:23,24)
Gath
(a wine press), one of the five royal cities of the Philistines; (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17) and
the native place of the giant Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:4,23) It probably stood upon the conspicuous
hill now called Tell-es-Safieh, upon the side of the plain of Philistia, at the foot of the mountains
of Judah; 10 miles east of Ashdod, and about the same distance south by east of Ekron. It is irregular
in form, and about 200 feet high. Gath occupied a strong position, (2 Chronicles 11:8) on the border
of Judah and Philistia, (1 Samuel 21:10; 1 Chronicles 18:1) and from its strength and resources
forming the key of both countries, it was the scene of frequent struggles, and was often captured
and recaptured. (2 Kings 12:17; 2 Chronicles 11:8; 26:6; Amos 6:2) The ravages of war to which
Gath was exposed appear to have destroyed it at a comparatively early period, as it is not mentioned
among the other royal cities by the later prophets. (Zephaniah 2:4; Zechariah 9:5,6) It is familiar
to the Bible student as the scene of one of the most romantic incidents in the life of King David.
(1 Samuel 21:10-15)
Gathhepher, Or Gittahhepher
(wine-press on the hill), a town on the border of the territory of Zebulun, not far from Japhia,
now ’Yafa, (Joshua 19:12,13) celebrated as the native place of the prophet Jonah. (2 Kings 14:25)
El-Meshhad, a village two-miles east of Sefurieh, is the ancient Gath-hepher.
Gathrimmon
(press of the pomegranate)
frankie
(Frankie)
#1