Lexical Definition

‎גֵּרָא‎ Gêrâʼ (gay-raw') Gera ^N:N-M-P
perhaps from ‎גֵּרָה‎; a grain

Gera.

• § Gera = "a grain"
• Gera, the name of six Israelites

1) a son of Benjamin
2) a son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin
3) any member of the Gera family of the Benjamite tribe

Extended Information

• A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.16.5
• father of: Shimei (שִׁמְעִי)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎גֵּרָא‎ proper name, masculine (Phoenician ‎גרא‎) son of Benjamin Gen 46:21 (lacking Num 26:38-40); son of Bela`, & grandson of Benjamin, according to 1Chr 8:3; 1Chr 8:5 compare v1Chr 8:7 designation of a Benjamite family or clan; hence Ehud called ‎בֶּןגֵּֿרָא‎ Judg 3:15, & so Shimei, 2Sam 16:5; 2Sam 19:17*; 2Sam 19:19*; 1Kgs 2:8.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • David's opponent • Benjamite; cursed David during Absalom's rebellion; later sought forgiveness.

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Gera was a Benjamite who cursed David during Absalom's rebellion but later sought forgiveness when David returned to Jerusalem.

• A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.16.5;
• only referred to as Gera גֵּרָא;
• father of Shimei שִׁמְעִי.

Gera, a Benjamite, appears in the narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. When David was fleeing from Jerusalem due to Absalom's revolt, Gera's relative, Shimei, came out and cursed David, throwing stones and dirt at him (2 Samuel 16:5-8). Shimei accused David of being responsible for the bloodshed in Saul's house and claimed that God was punishing him by giving the kingdom to Absalom. David's servants wanted to kill Shimei for his disrespect, but David refused, believing that God might have sent Shimei to curse him (2 Samuel 16:9-14). After Absalom's defeat and death, Shimei, along with Gera and a thousand Benjamites, met David at the Jordan River to escort him back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 19:16-18). Shimei fell down before David and sought forgiveness for his previous actions. David granted him mercy and promised not to put him to death (2 Samuel 19:18-23). However, on his deathbed, David instructed his son Solomon to deal with Shimei, considering him guilty of cursing the Lord's anointed (1 Kings 2:8-9). Gera's involvement in these events highlights the complex political dynamics within Israel during David's reign and the lingering tensions between the house of David and the supporters of Saul's dynasty.

All entries for Gera: גֵּרָא

Related Profiles:

• Shimei (child)