What does גָּבַל (gābal) mean in the Bible?
גָּבַל (gābal): Marking territorial limits through physical demarcation; emphasizes the boundary itself as a restraining line
Hebrew · H1379
גָּבַל
Properly, to twist as a rope; to bound (as by a line)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
גָּבַלH1379
Pronunciationgābal
What does גָּבַל (gābal) mean in the Bible?
גָּבַל (gābal): Marking territorial limits through physical demarcation; emphasizes the boundary itself as a restraining line
Full entry for גָּבַל (H1379) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H1379?
The BSB source-word alignment has 5 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include And you are to set up a boundary (1), Put a boundary around (1), the border (1), which borders (1), which was set up (1).
Where does גָּבַל (gābal) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 19:12. Its strongest book concentrations include Exodus (2), Deuteronomy (1), Joshua (1), Zechariah (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItAnd you are to set up a boundary1×Exodus 19:12
Put a boundary around1×Exodus 19:23
the border1×Joshua 18:20
which borders1×Zechariah 9:2
which was set up1×Deuteronomy 19:14
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 19:12וְהִגְבַּלְתָּ֤toAnd you are to set up a boundaryConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singularExodus 19:23הַגְבֵּ֥לtoPut a boundary aroundVerb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singularDeuteronomy 19:14גָּבְל֖וּtowhich was set upVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralJoshua 18:20יִגְבֹּל־tothe borderVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularZechariah 9:2תִּגְבָּל־towhich bordersVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 19:12
Aligned rows5
Books represented4
Exodus2Deuteronomy1Joshua1Zechariah1
Source forms
גָּבְל֖וּ1xgā·ḇə·lūDeuteronomy 19:14
הַגְבֵּ֥ל1xhaḡ·bêlExodus 19:23
וְהִגְבַּלְתָּ֤1xwə·hiḡ·bal·tāExodus 19:12
יִגְבֹּל־1xyiḡ·bōl-Joshua 18:20
תִּגְבָּל־1xtiḡ·bāl-Zechariah 9:2
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular1xExodus 19:12
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular1xExodus 19:23
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular1xZechariah 9:2
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xJoshua 18:20
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural1xDeuteronomy 19:14
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Marking territorial limits through physical demarcation; emphasizes the boundary itself as a restraining line
Source Gloss
properly, to twist as a rope; to bound (as by a line)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Marking territorial limits through physical demarcation; emphasizes the boundary itself as a restraining line
properly, to twist as a rope; to bound (as by a line) BDB: bound Usage: be border, set (bounds about).
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms4
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense3×
ImperfectJosh 18:20 · Zech 9:22×
PerfectDeut 19:141×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action1×
Sequential imperfectExod 19:231×
Word Origins
גָּבַל is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.