Places in the Bible Today:

Geder

Data

Translated NamesGeder, Gederite
Typesettlement
Geo Data KML (for Google Earth)
GeoJSON (for GIS applications)

4 Possible Identifications

  1. Khirbet Jedur (modern): 45% confidence
    1. satellite view of the region around Khirbet JedurKhirbet Jedur

  2. another name for Gerar (ancient): 15% confidence. It may be:
    1. panorama of Tel HarorTel Haror

    2. panorama of Tell esh ShariaTell esh Sharia

    3. satellite view of the region around Tell TuweiyilTell Tuweiyil

    4. panorama of ruins at Tell JemmehTell Jemmeh

  3. another name for Beth-gader (ancient): 15% confidence. It may be:
    1. satellite view of the region around Khirbet JedurKhirbet Jedur

    2. building at Bethlehemwithin 5 km of Bethlehem

    3. panorama looking east of the Valley of Elahwithin 5 km of the Valley of Elah

  4. within 5 km of Tell Beit Mirsim (modern): less than 10% confidence
    1. artifact from Tell Beit Mirsimwithin 5 km of Tell Beit Mirsim

Verses (2)

Josh-Ruth (1)
Josh 12:13
1Sam-Esth (1)
1Chr 27:28

Linked Data Identifiers

SourceIdentifier
Logos FactbookGeder
OpenBible.info (2007)Geder
OpenBible.infoa55d681 (Geder)
TIPNRGederah@Jos.15.36, Gedor@Jos.12.13
WikipediaCities in the Book of Joshua (nonunique url)

Sources

  1. Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (1992): Geder (place)
  2. Baker Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2013): Geder
  3. Baly, Atlas of the Biblical World (1971): Geder
  4. Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000): Geder
  5. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (1984): Josh 12:13
  6. Hess, Joshua (1996): table 4
  7. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2003)
  8. Howard, Joshua (1998): 12:9-24
  9. IVP Old Testament Bible Background Commentary (2000): Josh 12:13
  10. McKinny, Historical Geography of the Administrative Division of Judah (2014): page 265
  11. New Unger’s Bible Dictionary (1988): Geder
  12. Tyndale Bible Dictionary (2001): Geder
  13. Woudstra, Joshua (1981): 12:9-24 note 4
  14. Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (1975): Geder
  15. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (2009): Josh 12:13

Confidence Trends over Time

This chart indicates how confidence in the identifications is changing over time. Each dot (connected by a dotted line) reflects the confidence of an identification over the preceding ten years (e.g., the 2009 dot reflects scholarship from 2000 to 2009), and the corresponding solid line reflects a best-fit line for the identification. Confidences that cluster near or below 0% indicate low confidence. Because of the small dataset, it's best to use this chart for general trends; if one identification is trending much higher than the others, for example, then you can probably have higher confidence in the identification. This chart only reflects the sources I consulted (listed above), not an exhaustive review of the literature.

Thumbnail Image Credits

Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2019, Aaadir, Danny Gershoni, Bukvoed, Berthold Werner, Shabatashtiot, Hanay

About

This page attempts to identify all the possible locations where this biblical place could be. The confidence levels add up to less than 100%, indicating that the modern location is uncertain. It's best to think about the confidences in relative rather than absolute terms. Often they reflect different schools of thought, each confident in their identifications.