Gera
“Grain”
Summary
A family name of the tribe of Benjamin, borne by several individuals including ancestors of notable figures like Ehud and Shimei.
☩Gera Son of Benjamin
Gera appears in the list of Benjamin's descendants who went down to Egypt with Jacob. He is elsewhere identified as a son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin, the apparent discrepancy resolved by understanding that he was in the loins of his grandfather Benjamin when the migration occurred but not actually born until afterward. His name is repeated in the Benjamite genealogies, possibly indicating he became head of a distinct family.
☩Ancestor of Ehud and Shimei
The judge Ehud, who delivered Israel from Moabite oppression by slaying King Eglon, is described as 'son of Gera, a Benjamite.' Similarly, Shimei, who cursed David when the king fled from Absalom, is called 'the son of Gera.' Whether these references indicate the same individual or different members of the Gera family is uncertain, as Gera appears to have been a family name rather than always designating a single person.
Related Verses9 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Gera," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Gera," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Gera," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.George Morrish, "Gera," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Gera," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).