Gai
LocationsGeographical Setting
A geographical region identified in 1 Samuel 17:52 as the area where the Israelites pursued the Philistines after the defeat of Goliath.
What is the meaning of Gai in the Bible?
In 1 Samuel 17:52, the term Gai refers to a specific valley or region, with the Revised Version of the British and American edition rendering it as singular, whereas the King James Version translates the Hebrew word as 'valleys' in the plural. The Revised Version margin notes that certain editions of the Septuagint and Syriac versions read 'Gath' instead.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing these textual variants clarifies the geography of the David and Goliath narrative by distinguishing between a singular location named Gai and the plural valleys, thereby refining the historical and topographical context of the biblical account.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Gai in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Gai clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.