Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Geshur was a small Aramean kingdom located in the region of Bashan, northeast of the Sea of Galilee, during the biblical period. It is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of its interactions with the Israelites. The name "Geshur" is thought to mean "bridge" or "connection," possibly reflecting its geographical or political significance.Geographical Location and Historical Context Geshur was situated in the area that is now part of modern-day Syria. It bordered the territories of Israel and was located near the region of Argob in Bashan. The kingdom's proximity to Israel made it a significant player in the regional politics of the time. Geshur's location provided a strategic advantage, serving as a bridge between different cultures and peoples. Biblical References 1. Inheritance and Conquest: In the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, Geshur is mentioned as a territory that was not fully conquered by the Israelites. Joshua 13:13 states, "But the Israelites did not drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah, so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day." This incomplete conquest left Geshur as an independent entity within the land allotted to the tribe of Manasseh. 2. David's Marriage Alliance: One of the most notable references to Geshur is its connection to King David through marriage. David married Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. This marriage is recorded in 2 Samuel 3:3: "His second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third was Absalom the son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur." This alliance through marriage indicates the political importance of Geshur and its royal family. 3. Absalom's Exile: The kingdom of Geshur also served as a place of refuge for Absalom, David's son, after he killed his half-brother Amnon. Absalom fled to his maternal grandfather, Talmai, in Geshur, where he stayed for three years. This is detailed in 2 Samuel 13:37-38: "Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day. After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years." 4. Return of Absalom: Eventually, Absalom was brought back to Jerusalem from Geshur through the intervention of Joab, David's military commander. This return is described in 2 Samuel 14:23: "So Joab got up, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem." Cultural and Theological Significance Geshur's interactions with Israel highlight the complex relationships between the Israelites and their neighboring nations. The marriage alliance between David and the royal family of Geshur underscores the political strategies employed by Israel's leaders to secure peace and strengthen their position in the region. Additionally, the narrative of Absalom's exile and return from Geshur illustrates themes of familial conflict, reconciliation, and the consequences of sin within the royal household. Theologically, the presence of Geshur within the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the incomplete conquest of the Promised Land and the ongoing challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their covenantal identity amidst surrounding pagan cultures. The kingdom of Geshur, though small, played a significant role in the unfolding account of Israel and its monarchy. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary GeshurGeshuri, sight of the valley; a walled valley Smith's Bible Dictionary Geshur(a bridge), a little principality of Syria, northeast of Bashan. (3:14; 2 Samuel 15:8) It ia highly probable that Geshur was a section of the wild and rugged region now called el-Lejah , still a refuge for criminals and outlaws. [ARGOB] Easton's Bible Dictionary Bridge, the name of a district or principality of Syria near Gilead, between Mount Hermon and the Lake of Tiberias (2 Samuel 15:8; 1 Chronicles 2:23). The Geshurites probably inhabited the rocky fastness of Argob, the modern Lejah, in the north-east corner of Bashan. In the time of David it was ruled by Talmai, whose daughter he married, and who was the mother of Absalom, who fled to Geshur after the murder of Amnon (2 Samuel 13:37). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia GESHURge'-shur (geshur, "bridge"): An Aramean kingdom (2 Samuel 15:8) of no great size which lay probably to the South of Maacah, and formed with it the western boundary of the land of Bashan (Deuteronomy 3:14 Joshua 12:5; Joshua 13:11). The territory of these two probably corresponded roughly with modern Jaulan. It may not have reached quite to the Jordan on the West; in which case the Geshurites literally dwelt "in the midst" of Israel (Joshua 13:13), since they were not expatriated by the half-tribe of Manasseh, and they retained their independence. David married Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, who became the mother of Absalom and Tamar (2 Samuel 3:3). To Talmai Absalom fled for safety after the murder of Amnon (2 Samuel 13:37 f), and thence Joab brought him back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:23). The Geshurites and Aram are said to have taken the cities of Jair-i.e. Havvoth-jair-which lay in the land of Gilead (1 Chronicles 2:23). It is possible that "Geshurites" should be read, with Vulgate, Syriac, etc., instead of "Ashurites" in 2 Samuel 2:9. The only difficulty is that Geshur was an independent kingdom, and there is nothing to show how it was brought under the sway of the son of Saul. In the catalogue of land still to be possessed in Joshua 13:2, the King James Version reads "Geshuri," the Revised Version (British and American) "the Geshurites," referring evidently to a district bordering on the Philistines. Both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) render the same word by "Geshurites" in 1 Samuel 27:8, where apparently the same territory is indicated as invaded by David. In neither passage is the text above suspicion; in 1 Samuel 27:8 Septuagint's Codex Vaticanus omits the name. No satisfactory explanation has been suggested. Strong's Hebrew 1650. Geshur -- a territory East of the upper Jordan, also inhab. ...... 1649, 1650. Geshur. 1651 . a ... inhab. of Geshur. Transliteration: Geshur Phonetic Spelling: (ghesh-oor') Short Definition: Geshur. ... /hebrew/1650.htm - 6k 1651. Geshuri -- inhab. of Geshur, also a people South of ... Library How Absalom Murdered Amnon, who had Forced his Own Sister; and How ... The History of David The Nations of the South-East Pardoned Sin Punished The Nations of the North-East How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of The Early Life of St. Joseph The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Thesaurus Geshur (11 Occurrences)... In the time of David it was ruled by Talmai, whose daughter he married, and who was the mother of Absalom, who fled to Geshur after the murder of Amnon (2 ... /g/geshur.htm - 13k Talmai (6 Occurrences) Maachah (19 Occurrences) Maacah (30 Occurrences) Ammihud (10 Occurrences) Ab'salom (85 Occurrences) Kenath (2 Occurrences) Geshurites (6 Occurrences) Ma'acah (22 Occurrences) Bridge Resources Who was Absalom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the sons of David mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Amnon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Geshur (11 Occurrences)Joshua 12:5 Joshua 13:11 Joshua 13:13 2 Samuel 3:3 2 Samuel 13:37 2 Samuel 13:38 2 Samuel 14:23 2 Samuel 14:32 2 Samuel 15:8 1 Chronicles 2:23 1 Chronicles 3:2 Subtopics Geshur: Absalom Takes Refuge In, After the Murder of Amnon Geshur: David Marries a Princess of Geshur: Inhabitants of One of the Villages of, Exterminated, and the Spoils Taken by David Related Terms |
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