Overview
The Bible addresses geshur across 14 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Joshua and 2 Samuel. Closely related themes include Holy Land, Theocracy, The, or Immediate Government By God, Absalom and Philistines. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Absalom, Sihon and Og.
Key Bible verses about geshur
Old Testament
Joshua
This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites: Mearah: or, the cave
And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.
All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.
Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them;
From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;
And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;
And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;
All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.
People in the Bible and geshur
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying geshur for yourself
- Begin with Joshua 13:2, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Joshua and 2 Samuel each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Moses, Absalom and Sihon and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Holy Land, Theocracy, The, or Immediate Government By God, Absalom and Philistines.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about geshur?
The Bible addresses geshur across 14 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Joshua and 2 Samuel. Closely related themes include Holy Land, Theocracy, The, or Immediate Government By God, Absalom and Philistines. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Absalom, Sihon and Og.
How many Bible verses are about geshur?
The Bible references geshur in 14 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention geshur?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Joshua 13:2: “This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,”
Which people in the Bible are associated with geshur?
Moses, Absalom, Sihon, Og and David.
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