GAZEZ (in ; Sept. Teg4o0, the son of Haran and grandson of Caleb. Ile is first called the son of Caleb, and then more definitely the son of Haran (r Chron. 46)•—t.
GEBA (3nt ; Sept. PaPaci). Considemble confu sion has arisen from the close similarity in the names of three towns of Benjamin ; Geba (321.D), Gibeah (i13/=), and Gibeon (lila). It would even appear tha't. the names were regarded as interchangeable ; for in Judg. xx. ro and 33, we find Geba where Gibeah is mcant, and in Chron. xiv. 16 Gibeon is given instead of Geba (comp. 2 Sam. v. 25 ; 2 Kings xxiii. 8). Still more confusion has been caused by a want of uniformity in our E. V. Thus the Hebrew 3,= is rendered in different passages Geba (Josh. xxi. 17), Gaba (xviii. 24 pp, on account of the pause accent), and Gibeah (t Sam. xiii. 16 ; xiv. 5). Geba, Gibeah, and Gibeon, are shewn to be distinct places in Is. x. 29 and Josh. xviii. 24, 25.
The position of Geba is so clearly indicated in several passages of Scripture that we have no diffi culty in identifying it with the village of .7eba, which stands on the top of a rocky ridg,e overlook ing the whole eastern declivities of the mountains of Benjamin. It is about six miles north of Jeru salem, and a mile south of Michmash. The latter occupies another ridge ; and the wild glen of Su weinit separates it from Jeba. Jeba is a small village, and most of its houses are half-ruinous. A few remains of antiquity can be traced in the large hewn stones that appear in the foundations and walls of the modern houses.
The story of Geba is soon told. It was allotted to Benjamin and given to the priests (Josh. xviii. 24). It WaS held for a time by the Philistines ; but Jona than, the son of Saul, took it ; and the Philistines soon afterwards assembled in great force at Michmash ( Sam. xiii. 3, 16). The Israelites under Saul took
up a strong position at Geba. The two armies were separated by the deep ravine called the 4 passage of Michmash,' This difficult pass be came the scene of Jonathan's daring and successful adventure. A ccompanied only by his armour bearer, he went down into the ravine, clambered up the northern cliff on his hands and on his feet, and attacked the enemy. They were taken by surprise. The shock of an earthquake occurring at the moment increased their terror. Saul from the opposite ridge saw the turmoil, and heard the cries of distress. The Philistines fled in confusion, and were driven from the mountains (I Sam. xiii. 17 xiv. 23). The writer was greatly stnick on visiting Jeba, and crossing the ravine to Michmash, with the minute topographical accuracy of the Scripture narrative (see Handbook far S. and P., 215). Geba lay on the northern border of the kingdom of Judah, and hence we can understand why it was fortifieu by Asa (2 Kingq xxiii. S ; Kings xv. 22). It i2 one of those ton ns mentioned by Isaiah in describ ing the march of Sennacherib on Jerusalem (Is. x.) The topography of the district throws some light on that beautiful passage. When the army reached Michmash they left their baggage there ; and the troops, thus disencumbered, were able to cross the ravine and bivouac on the heights of Geba. The town was occupied by the Benjamites after the captivity (Ezra ii. 26). It appears to have been unknown to Eusebius and Jerome (0flavia.;:,. .s. v. Gaba and Geba ; Rcland, Pal. 768. sq. See Robinson, B. i. 440, sq.; and Stanley, S. anti P., pp. 210, 489, sq.)—J. L. P.