Topical Encyclopedia The term "Gerizite" refers to the inhabitants associated with Mount Gerizim, a significant location in biblical history. Mount Gerizim is situated in the central region of ancient Israel, near the city of Shechem, and holds considerable importance in the biblical narrative.Biblical Significance Mount Gerizim is prominently featured in the Book of Deuteronomy and the Book of Joshua. It is one of the two mountains, along with Mount Ebal, where the Israelites were instructed to pronounce blessings and curses upon entering the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 11:29 , it is written, "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, you are to proclaim the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal." In Joshua 8:33 , the significance of Mount Gerizim is further emphasized during the covenant renewal ceremony: "All Israel, foreigners and citizens alike, with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on either side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD, facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded earlier, to bless the people of Israel." Historical Context The Gerizites, as inhabitants of the region surrounding Mount Gerizim, would have been part of the broader cultural and religious landscape of ancient Canaan. The mountain itself became a focal point for worship and religious activity. In later periods, particularly during the time of the divided kingdom, Mount Gerizim became associated with the Samaritans, who regarded it as a sacred site and built a temple there, rivaling the temple in Jerusalem. Religious and Cultural Influence Mount Gerizim's role in the blessings and curses ceremony underscores its importance in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The mountain served as a physical reminder of the blessings that would follow obedience to God's commandments and the curses that would result from disobedience. This duality is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative, highlighting the conditional nature of the covenant. The Gerizites, by virtue of their association with Mount Gerizim, would have been influenced by these religious practices and the broader cultural dynamics of the region. The mountain's significance continued into the New Testament period, as seen in John 4:20 , where the Samaritan woman at the well refers to the worship practices on Mount Gerizim: "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem." Conclusion While the term "Gerizite" itself is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, the association with Mount Gerizim provides insight into the religious and cultural context of the region. The mountain's role in the blessings and curses ceremony and its later significance to the Samaritans highlight its enduring importance in biblical history. Concordance Gerizite (1 Occurrence)1 Samuel 27:8 Thesaurus Gerizite (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Gerizite (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 27:8 and David goeth up and his men, and they push unto the Geshurite ... /g/gerizite.htm - 6k Ger'izim (3 Occurrences) Gerizzim (1 Occurrence) Push (23 Occurrences) Comest (50 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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