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גִּמְזוֹ

𐤂𐤌𐤆𐤅

Gimezo

H1579 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain, possibly proper name of a place

Definition

Gimzô (גִּמְזוֹ) is a toponym referring to a specific town in the southern Shephelah region of ancient Israel. In biblical texts, it designates a geographic location, notably mentioned in the context of Assyrian military campaigns. Its contemporary identification is generally associated with the site of modern-day Jimzu, but this remains debated among scholars. The name itself is not transparently derived from an attested Hebrew root and functions primarily as a proper noun for this location.

Semantic Range

name of a town in the Shephelah; geographical toponym; proper noun designating a specific locality

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. The etymology of גִּמְזוֹ is not established; its final vowel points and consonantal structure do not correspond with a productive Hebrew root, nor does it appear to be a compound of known lexemes. It is possible the name is of non-Hebrew or regional Semitic origin, or a preservation of a pre-Israelite place name.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Gimzô appears in 2 Chronicles 28:18 as a site captured by the Philistines during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. Its significance is as a border town in the Shephelah, reflecting the contest for territory between Israelite/Judahite, Philistine, and later Assyrian powers. The Septuagint attempts to transcribe the name as Gemzō (Γεμζω), indicating it was perceived as a distinct local place-name rather than a generic word. English translations traditionally transliterate the name, but variations occur in spelling. The identification of Gimzô with modern Jimzu is based on phonetic similarity and historical geography, though absolute certainty is lacking. The word must be distinguished from other Hebrew toponyms and does not reductively mean 'fig tree' or 'sycamore,' despite some superficial similarity to the word גֶּמֶז (gomez), 'fig,' not attested in this context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; Gimzo, a place in Palestine; Gimzo.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

uncertain (uncertain) — uncertain, proper name of a place

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar
H1114 בִּלְשָׁן Bilshan
H1150 בִּנְעָא Bin'a
H116 אֱדַיִן and then

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1579-01 גִּמְז֖וֹ gimezo HNp Gimzo Gimzo 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1579-01 2 Chronicles 28:18 גִּמְז֖וֹ gimezo HNp Gimzo Gimzo
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