← H1481 H1483 →

גּוּר

𐤂𐤅𐤓

gûwr

H1482 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גור to dwell, sojourn, abide, live temporarily

Definition

A young animal, specifically the offspring or cub of a predatory animal such as a lion, bear, or wolf; especially used for a lion's whelp, denoting its youth and dependence. More broadly, used for the young offspring of other wild beasts in certain contexts. The word indicates both the physical smallness and immaturity of the animal, as well as its association with the lair or den where it is sheltered by its mother.

Semantic Range

lion cub, whelp, young (of predatory wild animals—lion, bear, wolf), dependent offspring, (by extension in poetry) nascent strength or potential

Root / Etymology

From the verbal root גּוּר, 'to sojourn, dwell as an alien,' but in noun usage (גּוּר/gûwr) likely represents a distinct formation associated with the idea of 'abiding, dwelling,' specifically with reference to a young animal that remains in its den or with its mother. The connection between the root meaning 'dwell' and the noun for 'whelp' is possibly based on the behavior of cubs remaining in their lair for shelter and protection. There is some etymological uncertainty as to whether the noun directly derives from the same root or is a phonetically similar but independent nominal stem.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, גּוּר is used primarily for the young of lions (cf. Gen 49:9; Deut 33:22; Ezek 19:2), though on occasion it may refer to other predatory animals. The term evokes vulnerability, dependence, and sometimes latent potential or fierceness. The word is used in poetic passages and metaphors, symbolizing vigor, emerging strength, or a state of shelter. In standard English translations, the phrase is often rendered 'whelp' or 'cub,' but the imagery in Hebrew often carries more dynamic connotations of both weakness and future power. Though גּוּר is later rendered as 'whelp' or even 'young lion' in English Bibles, this does not always match the specific age or stage understood by the Hebrew term, which may refer to any immature predator still reliant on its lair. In post-biblical Hebrew, usage narrows and word forms diversify.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened) גֻּר; perhaps from גּוּר; a cub (as still abiding in the lair), especially of the lion; whelp, young one.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

גור (g-w-r) — sojourn, dwell temporarily, reside as an alien

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1481 גּוּר I will sojourn
H1483 גּוּר Gur
H1484 גּוֹר his den-dwelling cubs
H1616 גֵּר in the resident-foreigner
H1628 גֵּרוּת in sojourning-of

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1482-01 גּ֤וּר gur HNcmsc lion's cub Sojourn! 3
H1482-04 מִ/גֻּרֶ֖י/הָ migureyha HR/Ncmpc/Sp3fs of her cubs her cubs 2
H1482-02 גוּרֶֽי/הָ gureyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs her cubs her cubs 1
H1482-03 גּוּרֵי/הֶ֑ן gureyhen HNcmpc/Sp3fp their young their cubs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1482-01 Genesis 49:9 גּ֤וּר gur HNcmsc lion's cub Sojourn!
H1482-01 Deuteronomy 33:22 גּ֣וּר gur HNcmsc lion's cub Sojourn!
H1482-02 Ezekiel 19:2 גוּרֶֽי/הָ gureyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs her cubs her cubs
H1482-04 Ezekiel 19:3 מִ/גֻּרֶ֖י/הָ migureyha HR/Ncmpc/Sp3fs of her cubs her cubs
H1482-04 Ezekiel 19:5 מִ/גֻּרֶ֖י/הָ migureyha HR/Ncmpc/Sp3fs of her cubs her cubs
H1482-01 Nahum 2:12 גּ֥וּר gur HNcmsc the cub Sojourn!
H1482-03 Lamentations 4:3 גּוּרֵי/הֶ֑ן gureyhen HNcmpc/Sp3fp their young their cubs
← H1481 Hebrew Lexicon H1483 →