geshur Summary and Overview

bridge, the name of a district or principality of Syria near Gilead, between Mount Hermon and the Lake of Tiberias (2 Sam. 15:8; 1 Chr. 2:23). The Geshurites probably inhabited the rocky fastness of Argob, the modern Lejah, in the NE corner of Bashan. In the time of David it was ruled by Talmai, whose daughter he married, and who was the mother of Absalom, who fled to Geshur after the murder of Amnon (2 Sam. 13:37).

(a bridge), a little principality of Syria, northeast of Bashan. #De 3:14; 2Sa 15:8| It ia highly probable that Geshur was a section of the wild and rugged region now called el-Lejah, still a refuge for criminals and outlaws. [ARGOB]

GE'SHUR (bridge), a small district or principality of Syria, east of the Jordan and north-east of Bashan. It was within the territory allotted to Manasseh, Deut 3:14; 2 Sam 15:8; 1 Chr 2:23; Josh 13:13; David married a daughter of its king, 2 Sam 3:3,- Absalom fled thither after the murder of Amnon, 2 Sam 13:37. Geshur was probably a part of that rocky region now known as "the Lejah," still the refuge of criminals and outlaws. Merrill places Geshur south of Mt. Hermon, east of the Sea of Galilee and north of Bashan.

("bridge".) A region N.E. of Bashan, adjoining Argob and Aram, conquered by Jair of Manasseh, but left in the hands of the original inhabitants (Joshua 13:13; Deuteronomy 3:14; 2 Samuel 15:8). "Geshur at Aram" (Hebrew), i.e. bordering on Syria of Damascus (1 Chronicles 2:23). The Geshuri bordering on the Philistines (Joshua 13:2), and invaded by David (1 Samuel 27:8), were distinct from those N.E. of Gilead. Yet there may have been some connection, a portion of the Geshurites possibly passing southwards. At least David in his wandering life formed an alliance with Talmai king of Geshur by marrying Maachah his daughter, by whom he had his handsome but worthless son Absalom and his daughter Tamar. David's attack on the southern Geshurites, or else his stay near Moab (1 Samuel 22), may have first brought him into connection with Talmai king of the northeastern Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 13:37.) The wild nature of Absalom accords with the wild home and stock from whence he sprang; there he fled after murdering Amnon. Geshur was probably part of the rugged Argob, now Lejah, where amidst those basaltic fastness the Geshurites would be secure from the Israelites in the plains. frontARGOB.)