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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Geba
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GEBA (Heb. geba’, ‘a hill’).—A city of Benjamin, on the N.E. frontier (Jos_18:24), assigned to the Levites (Jos_21:17, 1Ch_6:60). It stands for the N. limit of the kingdom of Judah (2Ki_23:8 ‘from Geba to Beersheba’). In 2Sa_5:25 we should probably read ‘Gibeon’ as in 1Ch_14:16. The position of Geba is fixed in 1Sa_14:5 S. of the great Wâdy Suweinît, over against Michmash, the modern Mukhmâs. This was the scene of Jonathan’s famous exploit against the Philistines. Everything points to its identity with Jeba‘, a village 6 miles N. of Jerusalem. It occupied an important position commanding the passage of the valley from the north. It was fortified by Asa (1Ki_15:22). It appears in Isaiah’s picture of the approach of the Assyrian upon Jerusalem (1Ki_10:28 ff.). It is mentioned also as occupied after the Exile (Neh_11:31, Ezr_2:26 etc.). It seems to be confused with the neighbouring Gibeah in Jdg_20:10; Jdg_20:33, 1Sa_13:8; 1Sa_13:16. In Jdg_20:31 ‘Gibeah’ should be ‘Geba.’ 2. A stronghold in Samaria, between which and Scythopolis Holofernes pitched his camp (Jdt_3:10). Perhaps Jeba‘a is intended, about 2 miles S. of Sanûr, on the road to Jenîn.
W. Ewing.