Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Gerar is a significant location mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the narratives of the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac. It is situated in the region of the Philistines, often identified with the area in the southern part of Canaan, near the Negev desert. Gerar serves as a backdrop for key events that highlight themes of faith, divine promise, and God's protection over His chosen people. Biblical References: 1. Abraham in Gerar: In Genesis 20, Abraham journeys to Gerar and encounters Abimelech, the king of Gerar. Fearing for his life due to Sarah's beauty, Abraham introduces her as his sister. Abimelech takes Sarah into his household, but God intervenes by appearing to Abimelech in a dream, warning him of the truth. Abimelech returns Sarah to Abraham, and God blesses Abimelech's household after Abraham prays for them. This episode underscores God's protection over Sarah and His covenant with Abraham. "But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, 'You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.'" (Genesis 20:3) 2. Isaac in Gerar: Genesis 26 recounts Isaac's sojourn in Gerar during a famine. Like his father, Isaac claims Rebekah is his sister, fearing for his life. King Abimelech discovers the truth and protects Isaac and Rebekah. Isaac prospers in Gerar, becoming wealthy, which leads to envy and conflict with the Philistines. Despite opposition, Isaac reopens the wells dug by Abraham and eventually makes a covenant of peace with Abimelech. This narrative highlights God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Isaac, mirroring the experiences of Abraham. "The LORD appeared to him and said, 'Do not go down to Egypt. Settle in the land where I tell you. Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham.'" (Genesis 26:2-3) Historical and Geographical Context: Gerar is often associated with the Philistine territory, although its exact location remains uncertain. It is traditionally identified with Tell Abu Hureyra or Tell Jemmeh, near the modern-day Gaza Strip. The region's fertile land made it suitable for agriculture, which is evident in the prosperity Isaac experienced there. Theological Significance: Gerar serves as a testament to God's providence and the unfolding of His covenant promises. The narratives involving Abraham and Isaac in Gerar emphasize themes of trust in God's protection and the importance of integrity and truth. The interactions with Abimelech also illustrate the potential for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between God's people and surrounding nations. Conclusion: While Gerar is a relatively minor location in the biblical narrative, its role in the lives of the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac highlights significant theological themes. The events in Gerar demonstrate God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His ability to protect and bless His people amidst challenges and uncertainties. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary GerarSmith's Bible Dictionary Gerar(a lodging-place), a very ancient city south of Gaza. It occurs chiefly in Genesis, (Genesis 10:19; 20:1; 26:17) also incidentally in (2 Chronicles 14:13,14) It must have trenched on the "south" or "south country" of later Palestine. From a comparison of (Genesis 21:32) with Genesis26:23,26 Beersheba would seem to be just on the verge of this territory, and perhaps to be its limit towards the northeast. ATS Bible Dictionary GerarAn ancient town or place of the Philistines in the times of Abraham and Isaac, Genesis 10:19 20:1:26:1,6,17. It lay not far from Gaza, in the south of Judah, but its exact site is now unknown. See 2 Chronicles 14:13,14. Easton's Bible Dictionary A region; lodging-place, a very ancient town and district in the south border of Palestine, which was ruled over by a king named Abimelech (Genesis 10:19; 20:1, 2). Abraham sojourned here, and perhaps Isaac was born in this place. Both of these patriarchs were guilty of the sin of here denying their wives, and both of them entered into a treaty with the king before they departed to Beersheba (21:23-34; 26). It seems to have been a rich pastoral country (2 Chronicles 14:12-18). Isaac here reaped an hundred-fold, and was blessed of God (Genesis 26:12). The "valley of Gerar" (Genesis 26:17) was probably the modern Wady el-Jerdr. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia GERARge'-rar (gerar, "circle," "region"; Gerara): A town in the Philistine plain South of Gaza (Genesis 10:19), where both Abraham and Isaac ' sojourned for a time, and where they came into contact with Abimelech, king of Gerar (Genesis 20 and 26, passim). The place has not been fully identified, but the site is probably in one of the branches of Wady Sheri`a, at a place called Um Jerrar, near the coast Southwest of Gaza and 9 miles from it (SWP, III, 389-90). The site answers fairly well to the statements of Eusebius and Jerome, Eusebius, Onomasticon, that it was 25 (Roman) miles South of Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin). It is actually 30 English miles, but distances were not very accurately determined in early times. Gerar was known in the first 5 centuries A.D., when it was the seat of a bishopric, and its bishop, Marcian, attended the Council of Chalcedon 451 A.D., It was also the seat of a monastery. Strong's Hebrew 1642. Gerar -- a place South of Gaza... 1641, 1642. Gerar. 1643 . a place South of Gaza. Transliteration: Gerar Phonetic Spelling: (gher-awr') Short Definition: Gerar. ... /hebrew/1642.htm - 6k 7856. Sitnah -- "hostility," the name of a well near Gerar 6230. Eseq -- "contention," a well in Gerar Library Ascalon. Gerar. The Story of the Eighty Witches. Gerar. SM The Glories of the Sanctuary. Chapter xx The First Apostle of Peace at any Price Chapter xxvi From Abraham to Egypt. How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ... Concerning the Sons of Isaac, Esau and Jacob; of their Nativity ... Chapter x The Sovereignty of God in Operation Thesaurus Gerar (10 Occurrences)... Isaac here reaped an hundred-fold, and was blessed of God (Genesis 26:12). The "valley of Gerar" (Genesis 26:17) was probably the modern Wady el-Jerdr. ...GERAR. ... /g/gerar.htm - 12k Esek (1 Occurrence) Abimelech (63 Occurrences) Phicol (3 Occurrences) Abim'elech (58 Occurrences) Dwelleth (142 Occurrences) Dwelt (307 Occurrences) Gerrenians Gedor (7 Occurrences) Ahuzzath (1 Occurrence) Resources Who was Abimelech in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Sarah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org How did God use dreams and visions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Gerar (10 Occurrences)Genesis 10:19 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 Subtopics Gerar: A City of the Philistines Gerar: A City of the Philistines: Abimelech, King of Gerar: A City of the Philistines: Visited by Abraham Gerar: A City of the Philistines: Visited by Isaac Related Terms |
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