Gederah
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Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning: The name "Gederah" is derived from the Hebrew word "גְּדֵרָה" (Gederah), which means "a wall" or "an enclosure." This etymology suggests a place that was likely fortified or enclosed, indicating its strategic or protective significance in ancient times.

Biblical References: Gederah is mentioned in the Old Testament as a town in the territory of Judah. It is specifically referenced in the Book of Joshua: "Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad, Dilean, Mizpeh, Joktheel, Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon, Cabbon, Lahmas, Kitlish, Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah—sixteen cities, along with their villages" (Joshua 15:37-41). This passage lists Gederah among the cities in the Shephelah, the lowland region of Judah.

Historical and Geographical Context: Gederah was situated in the Shephelah, a region characterized by rolling hills and fertile valleys, which served as a buffer zone between the coastal plains and the central highlands of Judah. This area was significant for agriculture and trade, contributing to the economic stability of the tribe of Judah. The strategic location of Gederah would have made it an important site for defense against Philistine incursions from the west.

Archaeological Insights: While the exact location of Gederah is not definitively identified today, it is generally associated with the archaeological site of Khirbet Judraya, located southwest of modern-day Jerusalem. Excavations in the region have uncovered remains that suggest a settlement with defensive structures, consistent with the meaning of its name.

Cultural and Religious Significance: As a town within the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, Gederah would have been part of the cultural and religious life of the Israelites. The towns in this region were often centers of agricultural production, and their inhabitants would have participated in the religious festivals and practices prescribed in the Mosaic Law. The mention of Gederah in the biblical text underscores its role within the broader narrative of Israel's settlement in the Promised Land.

Related Biblical Themes: The mention of Gederah in the context of the allotment of land to the tribes of Israel highlights the theme of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the descendants of Abraham. The division of the land among the tribes is a testament to the covenant relationship between God and His people, emphasizing themes of inheritance, divine provision, and the establishment of a nation under God's sovereignty.

Conclusion: Gederah, though briefly mentioned in the biblical text, represents a piece of the larger mosaic of Israel's history in the land of Canaan. Its inclusion in the list of towns allotted to Judah reflects the historical and theological significance of the land as a gift from God to His chosen people.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Gederah

(a sheepfold), a town of Judah in the lowland country, (Joshua 15:36) apparently in its eastern part. No town bearing this name has, however, been yet discovered in this hitherto little-explored district.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Gederah

A city in the plain of Judah, Joshua 15:36, probably the same with the preceding Geder, and with Beth-Gader, 1 Chronicles 2:51. It would thence seem to have pertained to the family of Caleb.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
The fortress; a fortified place, a town in the plain (shephelah) of Judah (Joshua 15:36). This is a very common Canaanite and Phoenician name. It is the feminine form of Geder (12:13); the plural form is Gederoth (15:41). This place has by some been identified with Jedireh, a ruin 9 miles from Lydda, toward Eleutheropolis, and 4 miles north of Sur'ah (Zorah), in the valley of Elah.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GEDERAH; GEDERATHITE

ge-de'-ra, ge-de'-ra-thit (ha-gedherah, "the enclosed place"): A town in the Shephelah of Judah, named with Socoh, Azekah, Shaaraim and Adithaim (Joshua 15:36). In 1 Chronicles 4:23 the Revised Version (British and American) reads, "the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah," for the King James Version, "those that dwelt among plants and hedges." It is probably represented by Khirbet Jadireh, about 3 miles Southwest of Gezer. "Gederathite," applied to Jozabad (1 Chronicles 12:4), probably meant an inhabitant of this place.

Strong's Hebrew
1449. Gederah -- "wall," a city in Judah
... 1448, 1449. Gederah. 1450 . "wall," a city in Judah. Transliteration: Gederah
Phonetic Spelling: (ghed-ay-raw') Short Definition: Gederah. ...
/hebrew/1449.htm - 6k

1448. gederah -- a wall
gederah or gedereth. 1447, 1448. gederah or gedereth. 1449 . a wall.
Transliteration: gederah or gedereth Phonetic Spelling: (ghed ...
/hebrew/1448.htm - 6k

1452. Gederathi -- inhab. of Gederah
... inhab. of Gederah. Transliteration: Gederathi Phonetic Spelling: (ghed-ay-raw-thee')
Short Definition: Gederathite. Word Origin from Gederah Definition inhab. ...
/hebrew/1452.htm - 6k

1453. Gederothayim -- "double wall," a place in Judah
... Gederothaim. Word Origin dual of gederah Definition "double wall," a place
in Judah NASB Word Usage Gederothaim (1). Gederothaim. ...
/hebrew/1453.htm - 6k

Library

The King's Potters
... Among the members of the tribe of Judah were a hereditary caste of potters who lived
in 'Netaim and Gederah,' if we adhere to the Revised Version's text, or ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the kings potters.htm

Thesaurus
Gederah (2 Occurrences)
... Elah. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GEDERAH; GEDERATHITE. ge-de ... place.
Multi-Version Concordance Gederah (2 Occurrences). Joshua 15 ...
/g/gederah.htm - 8k

Netaim (1 Occurrence)
... James Version reads "those that dwell among plants and hedges," the Revised Version
(British and American) "the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah." The latter ...
/n/netaim.htm - 7k

Gederathite (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An epithet applied to Josabad, one of David's warriors
at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:4), a native of Gederah. Int. ...GEDERAH; GEDERATHITE. ...
/g/gederathite.htm - 7k

Gederothaim (1 Occurrence)
... the King James Version margin suggests that we might read "or" for "and"
after Gederah, but this is impossible. Septuagint reads ...
/g/gederothaim.htm - 7k

Gede'rah (2 Occurrences)
Gede'rah. Gederah, Gede'rah. Gederathite . ... Joshua 15:36 and Shaaraim, and Adithaim,
and Gederah, with Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages. ...
/g/gede'rah.htm - 6k

Gedera (1 Occurrence)
... Gedera (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 4:23 These were the potters, and the inhabitants
of Netaim and Gederah: there they lived with the king for his work. ...
/g/gedera.htm - 6k

Unwalled (39 Occurrences)
... places. (BBE). Joshua 15:36 And Shaaraim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and
Gederothaim; fourteen towns with their unwalled places. (BBE). ...
/u/unwalled.htm - 17k

Gedor (7 Occurrences)
... Jerusalem and Hebron. (2.) 1 Chronicles 4:39, the Gederah of Joshua
15:36, or the well-known Gerar, as the LXX. read, where the ...
/g/gedor.htm - 10k

Gederotha'im (1 Occurrence)
... Gederotha'im (1 Occurrence). Joshua 15:36 and Shaaraim, and Adithaim, and Gederah,
with Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages. (See RSV). ...
/g/gederotha'im.htm - 6k

Geder (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A walled place, (Joshua 12:13), perhaps the same as Gederah
or Gedor (15:58). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GEDER. ...
/g/geder.htm - 7k

Resources
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Concordance
Gederah (2 Occurrences)

Joshua 15:36
Shaaraim, Adithaim and Gederah (or Gederothaim); fourteen cities with their villages.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 4:23
These were the potters, and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah: there they lived with the king for his work.
(WEB ASV NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Gederah

Gederah: A City in the Plain of Judah

Related Terms

Gederah (2 Occurrences)

Gederathite (1 Occurrence)

Gedera
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