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(3.) A place, probably in the hill country of Ephraim, where there was a school of the prophets (2 Kings 4:38), and whence Elijah and Elisha, who resided here, “went down” to Bethel (2:1,2). It is mentioned also in Deuteronomy 11:30. It is now known as Jiljilia, a place 8 miles north of Bethel.
•GILOH exile, a city in the south-west part of the hill-country of Judah (Joshua 15:51). It was the native place or residence of the traitor Ahithophel “the Gilonite” (Joshua 15:51; 2 Samuel 15:12), and where he committed suicide (17:23). It has been identified with Kurbet Jala, about 7 miles north of Hebron.
•GIMZO a place fertile in sycamores, a city in the plain of Judah, the villages of which were seized by the Philistines (2 Chronicles 28:18). It is now called Jimzu, about 3 miles south-east of Ludd, i.e., Lydda.
•GIN a trap. (1.) Psalm 140:5, 141:9, Amos 3:5, the Hebrew word used, mokesh, means a noose or “snare,” as it is elsewhere rendered (Psalm 18:5; Proverbs 13:14, etc.).
(2.) Job 18:9, Isaiah 8:14, Hebrews pah, a plate or thin layer; and hence a net, a snare, trap, especially of a fowler (Psalm 69: 22, “Let their table before them become a net;” Amos 3:5, “Doth a bird fall into a net [pah] upon the ground where there is no trap-stick [mokesh] for her? doth the net [pah] spring up from the ground and take nothing at all?”, Gesenius.)
•GIRDLE (1.) Hebrews hagor, a girdle of any kind worn by soldiers (1 Samuel 18:4; 2 Samuel 20:8; 1 Kings 2:5; 2 Kings 3:21) or women (Isaiah 3:24).
(2.) Hebrews ‘ezor, something “bound,” worn by prophets (2 Kings 1:8; Jeremiah 13:1), soldiers (Isaiah 5:27; 2 Samuel 20:8; Ezekiel 23:15), Kings
(Job 12:18).
(3.) Hebrews mezah, a “band,” a girdle worn by men alone (Psalm 109:19; Isaiah 22:21).
(4.) Hebrews ‘abnet, the girdle of sacerdotal and state officers (Exodus 28:4, 39, 40; 29:9; 39:29).
(5.) Hebrews hesheb, the “curious girdle” (Exodus 28:8; R.V., “cunningly woven band”) was attached to the ephod, and was made of the same material.
The common girdle was made of leather (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4); a finer sort of linen (Jeremiah 13:1; Ezekiel 16:10; Daniel 10:5). Girdles of sackcloth were worn in token of sorrow (Isaiah 3:24; 22:12). They were variously fastened to the wearer (Mark 1:6; Jeremiah 13:1; Ezekiel 16:10).
The girdle was a symbol of strength and power (Job 12:18, 21; 30:11; Isaiah 22:21; 45:5). “Righteousness and faithfulness” are the girdle of the Messiah (Isaiah 11:5).
Girdles were used as purses or pockets (Matthew 10:9. A. V., “purses;” R.V., marg., “girdles.” Also Mark 6:8).