Places in the Bible Today:

Gob

Data

Translated NameGob
Typesettlement
Notessome treat these two verses as referring to different places
Geo Data KML (for Google Earth)
GeoJSON (for GIS applications)

4 Possible Identifications

  1. another name for Gezer (ancient): 35% confidence

    1. panorama of ruins at Tel GezerTel Gezer

  2. another name for Gibbethon (ancient): 20% confidence. It may be:

    1. summit of Tell MelatTell Melat

    2. satellite view of the region around Ras Abu HamidRas Abu Hamid

    3. historical streetscape of AqirAqir

    4. cityscape of QibyaQibya

  3. another name for Nob (ancient): 15% confidence. It may be:

    1. panorama of Ras el MesharifRas el Mesharif

    2. satellite view of the region around Ras Umm et TalaRas Umm et Tala

    3. cityscape of IsawiyaIsawiya

    4. satellite view of the region around Ras TumeimRas Tumeim

    5. cityscape of Shuafat on Qu’mehQu’meh

    6. buildings at French HillFrench Hill

    7. building at Et TurEt Tur

  4. Khirbet Qeiyafa (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. ruins at Khirbet QeiyafaKhirbet Qeiyafa

Verses (2)

2Sam 21:18, 21:19

Linked Data Identifiers

SourceIdentifier
Logos FactbookGob
OpenBible.info (2007)Gob
OpenBible.infoaea4530 (Gob)
TIPNRGezer@Jos.10.33
UBS Names Databaseot ID_702

Sources

  1. Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (1992): Gob (place)
  2. Baker Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2013): Gob
  3. Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000): Gob
  4. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (1984): 2Sam 21:18
  5. Gordon, I and II Samuel (1986): 2Sam 21:18
  6. Grollenberg, Atlas of the Bible (1957): Gob
  7. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2003)
  8. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1979): Gob
  9. Lexham Bible Dictionary (2016): Gob
  10. McKinny, Historical Geography of the Administrative Division of Judah (2014): page 186
  11. Tyndale Bible Dictionary (2001): Gob
  12. Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (1975): Gob
  13. Zondervan Atlas of the Bible (2010)
  14. Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible (2010)

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

Ori~, Avi1111, Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2019, Unknown author, יעקב, Hoheit, Hidro, Ynhockey, Rotem Danzig, Djampa, Yaels

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.