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גָּדַר

𐤂𐤃𐤓

gâdar

H1443 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To build, repair, or enclose with a wall; to erect, construct, or mend a fence or partition, particularly as a protective measure. Used both literally for building or repairing city walls or enclosures, and metaphorically for protective actions or setting boundaries.

Semantic Range

to build a wall, to repair or restore a wall, to enclose with a fence, to hedge in, to create a protective barrier, to shut in (metaphorical), to set boundaries

Root / Etymology

From the root גדר (g-d-r), whose core meaning relates to enclosing, fencing in, or separating by a barrier. The root connotes the act of creating a separation or protective boundary.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, גָּדַר is primarily used with reference to the literal building, restoring, or repairing of walls or protective structures around cities, vineyards, or other areas needing defense. In the period of the united and divided monarchies, this verb is commonly used for wall construction or repair, especially in narratives about city fortification (e.g., during times of threat or after destruction). In poetic and prophetic writings, the word can also be used in more figurative senses, such as describing YHWH 'hedging' or closing off (Job 19:8), or expressing social separation, exclusion, or judgment (Lamentations 3:7). In post-exilic literature, especially in Nehemiah, the verb often denotes the collective work of repairing Jerusalem’s city walls. The term can overlap with בָּנָה (banah, 'to build'), but carries the nuance of enclosing or protecting, and is distinct from סָגַר (sagar, 'to shut' or 'close') which focuses on closing an entrance or securing something within. English translations like 'hedge,' 'fence,' or 'wall in' may not always reflect the full protective or communal nuances present in the Hebrew contexts, particularly the emphasis on restoration and re-establishment of security.

Translation Consistency

primary "fence" 5 occurrences

"Fence" best captures the primary sense of גָּדַר — to enclose, hedge in, or build/repair a barrier — while remaining a natural, versatile English verb for both literal walls/fences and metaphorical boundary/ protective senses. It aligns with common renderings (e.g., “fenced”) and fits the full semantic range better than narrower options like “fortify” or more general ones like “build.”

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"wall-builders" (2x) "fence-builder" (2x) "repaired" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to wall in or around; close up, fence up, hedge, inclose, make up (a wall), mason, repairer.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

גדר (Beyt Gader) — to wall in, to fence, to enclose

Root גדר to enclose, fence in, wall, separate, build a barrier
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1013 בֵּית־גָּדֵר enclosing wall
H1444 גֶּדֶר enclosure-wall
H1445 גֶּדֶר Geder
H1446 גְדֹר Fortified Enclosure
H1447 גָּדֵר enclosure wall

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1443-01 גָ֭דַר gadar HVqp3ms he has blocked he fenced in he fenced in 3
H1443-02 גֹּֽדֵר goder HVqrmsa repairer barrier-builder fence-builder 2
H1443-04 וְ/גָדַרְתִּ֣י vegadareti HC/Vqq1cs and I will repair and I will wall in and I will fence in 2
H1443-05 וְ/לַ/גֹּֽדְרִים֙ velagoderim HC/Rd/Vqrmpa and to the masons and to the wall-builders and to the wall-builders 2
H1443-03 וַ/תִּגְדְּר֥וּ vatigederu HC/Vqw2mp and you made up and you fenced in and you repaired 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1443-05 2 Kings 12:13 וְ/לַ/גֹּֽדְרִים֙ velagoderim HC/Rd/Vqrmpa and-to-the-masons and to the wall-builders and to the wall-builders
H1443-05 2 Kings 22:6 וְ/לַ/גֹּֽדְרִ֑ים velagoderim HC/Rd/Vqrmpa and to the masons and to the wall-builders and to the wall-builders
H1443-02 Isaiah 58:12 גֹּדֵ֣ר goder HVqrmsa repairer barrier-builder fence-builder
H1443-03 Ezekiel 13:5 וַ/תִּגְדְּר֥וּ vatigederu HC/Vqw2mp and you made up and you fenced in and you repaired
H1443-02 Ezekiel 22:30 גֹּֽדֵר goder HVqrmsa who would repair barrier-builder fence-builder
H1443-04 Hosea 2:8 וְ/גָֽדַרְתִּי֙ vegadareti HC/Vqq1cs and I will wall up and I will wall in and I will fence in
H1443-04 Amos 9:11 וְ/גָדַרְתִּ֣י vegadareti HC/Vqq1cs and I will repair and I will wall in and I will fence in
H1443-01 Job 19:8 גָ֭דַר gadar HVqp3ms he has fenced up he fenced in he fenced in
H1443-01 Lamentations 3:7 גָּדַ֧ר gadar HVqp3ms He has walled me in he fenced in he fenced in
H1443-01 Lamentations 3:9 גָּדַ֤ר gadar HVqp3ms he has blocked he fenced in he fenced in
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