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גַב

𐤂𐤁

gab

H1354 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ג־ב to be convex, to project, to arch

Definition

A convex, curved, or projecting surface or structure; used most often for the 'back' or 'brow' (ridge) of a physical object or living being. In specific contexts, refers to the top, rim, or rounded boss of a shield, the central part (nave) of a wheel, raised or arched architectural features, and bodily parts such as the back or the arch of the eye. The term denotes both literal anatomical elements and architectural or crafted convexities.

Semantic Range

convex surface, curved or arched structure, boss or raised projection (of shield), nave (of wheel), rim or edge, back (of the body), arch of the eyebrow or eye, prominent place or height

Root / Etymology

Root/etymology uncertain; traditionally compared with גֵּו (gev, meaning 'body, back, middle') and גּוּף (guf, 'body, mass'), but no direct evidence for a living root. The noun 'gab' is likely derived from an onomatopoeic or descriptive reference to curved surfaces or ridges, paralleling but distinct from these roots.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, גַב appears primarily in poetry and descriptive passages, often highlighting a raised, curved, or vaulted shape. For instance, it denotes the rounded protrusion (boss) of a shield (Job 15:26), the nave of a wheel (1 Kings 7:33), and the eyebrow or forehead's arch (Leviticus 14:9). As a poetic term, it can reference exalted or prominent architectural or metaphorical heights (Isaiah 30:13). Its usage is rarer than גֵּו, which more typically denotes the human back or body. English translations vary, often using 'back,' 'rim,' 'boss,' or 'bulwark,' but may not always capture the sense of roundedness or prominence intrinsic to גַב. In later post-biblical Hebrew, the term is largely unused, replaced instead by more specific anatomical and architectural terminology.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to hollow or curve; (compare גֵּו and גּוּף); the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc.; back, body, boss, eminent (higher) place, (eye) brows, nave, ring.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גב (g-b) — convexity, projection, arching

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1358 גֹּב the hollowed pit
H1459 גַּו in her midst
H1465 גֵּוָה from the back

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1354-01 גַּבֵּ/ךְ֙ gabekhe HNcbsc/Sp2fs you built your convex ridge your convex ridge 2
H1354-11 וְ/גַ֨בֵּי/הֶ֔ן vegabeyhen HC/Ncbpc/Sp3fp as for their rims their convex rims their rims 1
H1354-03 גַּבֵּי/כֶֽם gabeykhem HNcbpc/Sp2mp your bosses your convex ridges your bosses 1
H1354-06 גַּ֥ב gav HNcbsc height arched ridge of ridge of 1
H1354-12 וְ/גַבֹּתָ֗/ם vegabotam HC/Ncbpc/Sp3mp and their rims and their convex surfaces and their rims 1
H1354-07 גֶּ֑ב gev HNcbsa a vaulted chamber convex ridge a vaulted chamber 1
H1354-02 גַּבֵּ֥י gabey HNcbpc bosses arched ridges of bosses of 1
H1354-04 גַּ֭בִּ/י gabi HNcbsc/Sp1cs my back my back my back 1
H1354-05 גַּבֹּ֣ת gabot HNcbpc the eyebrows arched ridges of the eyebrows 1
H1354-08 לְ/גַבֵּי legabey HR/Ncbpc to-bosses-of to the convexities of to the bosses of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1354-05 Leviticus 14:9 גַּבֹּ֣ת gabot HNcbpc the eyebrows arched ridges of the eyebrows
H1354-10 1 Kings 7:33 וְ/גַבֵּי/הֶ֗ם vegabeyhem HC/Ncbpc/Sp3mp and their rims and their convex surfaces and their rims
H1354-11 Ezekiel 1:18 וְ/גַ֨בֵּי/הֶ֔ן vegabeyhen HC/Ncbpc/Sp3fp as for their rims their convex rims their rims
H1354-12 Ezekiel 1:18 וְ/גַבֹּתָ֗/ם vegabotam HC/Ncbpc/Sp3mp and their rims and their convex surfaces and their rims
H1354-09 Ezekiel 10:12 וְ/גַבֵּ/הֶ֔ם vegabehem HC/Ncbpc/Sp3mp and their backs and their convex surfaces and their backs
H1354-07 Ezekiel 16:24 גֶּ֑ב gev HNcbsa a vaulted chamber convex ridge a vaulted chamber
H1354-01 Ezekiel 16:31 גַּבֵּ/ךְ֙ gabekhe HNcbsc/Sp2fs you built your convex ridge your ridge
H1354-01 Ezekiel 16:39 גַבֵּ/ךְ֙ gabekhe HNcbsc/Sp2fs your-mound your convex ridge your convex ridge
H1354-06 Ezekiel 43:13 גַּ֥ב gav HNcbsc height arched ridge of ridge of
H1354-04 Psalms 129:3 גַּ֭בִּ/י gabi HNcbsc/Sp1cs my back my back my back
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