גִּבְלִי
𐤂𐤁𐤋𐤉
Giveli
H1382 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An inhabitant of Gebal, specifically referring to members of a distinct coastal people or community identified in the Hebrew Bible as skilled stonemasons and craftsmen, especially in the context of monumental and temple construction. The term denotes geographic origin (from the city of Gebal) and association with specialized craft. In general, 'person from Gebal' or 'Gebalite.'
Semantic Range
person from Gebal, Gebalite, inhabitant of Gebal, member of coastal craftsman community; (contextually) skilled stonemason, artisan of Gebal
Root / Etymology
Formed as a gentilic adjective from the toponym גְּבַל (Gebal), a city on the Phoenician coast (classical Byblos). The root גבל in this context does not directly influence the meaning; rather, the form signifies origin or belonging to a place.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible (notably 1 Kings 5:18 [MT 32]; Ezekiel 27:9), the גִּבְלִים (Giblites) are identified as inhabitants of the city Gebal/Byblos (on the Phoenician coast) renowned for expertise in stonework, particularly in connection with construction projects like Solomon's Temple. Their skilled labor distinguishes them from Israelite or Tyrian workforces (see also Ezek. 27:9). The English translations often use 'Giblite' or 'Gebalite' but may gloss over the connection to the region and their technical specialization. In later periods, Gebal (Byblos) became primarily associated with Phoenician culture, but in the biblical context, the term refers to non-Israelite inhabitants and artisans hired or referenced by Israelites. The term is not ethnically Israelite or Judahite; it underscores geographic identity. 'Stone-squarer' is an interpretive extension based on passages associating Giblites with stone craftsmanship, but this is contextual, not inherent in the lexical meaning. Later translations (e.g., KJV, NASB) sometimes render it with an occupational nuance, though the primary sense is gentilic.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
; patrial from גְּבַל; a Gebalite, or inhabitant of Gebal; Giblites, stone-squarer.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גבל (g-b-l) — to border, set a boundary, form, heap
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1366 | גְּבוּל | in boundary of |
| H1367 | גְּבוּלָה | in boundary-lines of |
| H1379 | גָּבַל | they bounded |
| H1380 | גְּבַל | Gebal |
| H1381 | גְּבָל | Gebal Borderland |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1382-01 |
הַ/גִּבְלִ֗י | hagiveli | HTd/Ngmsa |
of-the-Gebalite | the Gebalite | 1 |
H1382-02 |
וְ/הַ/גִּבְלִ֑ים | vehagivelim | HC/Td/Ngmpa |
and the Gebalites | and the Gebalites | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1382-01 |
Joshua 13:5 | הַ/גִּבְלִ֗י | hagiveli | HTd/Ngmsa |
of-the-Gebalite | the Gebalite |
H1382-02 |
1 Kings 5:32 | וְ/הַ/גִּבְלִ֑ים | vehagivelim | HC/Td/Ngmpa |
and the Gebalites | and the Gebalites |