גְּדֵרוֹת
𐤂𐤃𐤓𐤅𐤕
Gederot
H1450 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A plural noun meaning 'sheepfolds, enclosures, walls (specifically walled enclosures or pens for livestock)'; also used as a place name referring to a settlement called Gederoth. In topographical contexts, denotes places characterized by or named after such enclosures. In narrative passages, can refer to physical structures for containing flocks or cattle.
Semantic Range
enclosures, sheepfolds, walled livestock pens; walls or barriers; a place known as Gederoth
Root / Etymology
From the root גדר (g-d-r), meaning 'to wall in, to fence, to enclose.' The form גְּדֵרוֹת (gᵉdêrôth) is a plural of גְּדֵרָה (gᵉdērāh, 'enclosure, sheepfold'). As a place name, it likely originated from the presence of such enclosures at the site.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, גְּדֵרוֹת refers primarily to walled livestock enclosures (cf. Num 32:16, 24, Josh 21:12), which were vital for pastoral life in Iron Age Israel. The term also designates a town in the Shephelah region (southwestern coastal plain) listed among Judahite towns (Josh 15:41; 2 Chr 28:18), suggesting the place was known for its livestock pens or similar structures. English translations often render the toponym as 'Gederoth,' obscuring the noun's meaning. Distinct from other terms for enclosures (חֵצֶר [courtyard], דִּיר [sheepfold]), גְּדֵרָה emphasizes the surrounding wall (גָּדֵר) as a defining feature. In post-exilic or later texts, the noun's specific meaning (enclosed pen) may be subsumed under place name usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of גְּדֵרָה; walls; Gederoth, a place in Palestine; Gederoth.
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
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1013 | בֵּית־גָּדֵר | enclosing wall |
| H1443 | גָּדַר | he fenced in |
| H1444 | גֶּדֶר | enclosure-wall |
| H1445 | גֶּדֶר | Geder |
| H1446 | גְדֹר | Fortified Enclosure |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1450-01 |
הַ/גְּדֵר֗וֹת | hagederot | HTd/Np |
Gederoth | the enclosures | the Gederot | 1 |
H1450-02 |
וּ/גְדֵר֕וֹת | ugederot | HC/Np |
and Gederoth | and walled enclosures | and Gederot | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1450-02 |
Joshua 15:41 | וּ/גְדֵר֕וֹת | ugederot | HC/Np |
and Gederoth | and walled enclosures | and Gederot |
H1450-01 |
2 Chronicles 28:18 | הַ/גְּדֵר֗וֹת | hagederot | HTd/Np |
Gederoth | the enclosures | the Gederot |