The Hebrew verb גוּר (root: ג-ו-ר) has two main sets of meanings depending on context and binyan:
– In the Qal binyan, it means “to sojourn,” “to reside temporarily,” or “to dwell as an alien.”
– In other usages (especially poetic), it can also mean “to fear” or “to be afraid.”
The primary biblical usage of גוּר involves living temporarily in a land not one’s own—being a foreigner or guest without full citizenship rights. It appears often in narratives about the Patriarchs (like Avraham) and laws concerning the “ger” (resident alien).
Qal Binyan Conjugation of גוּר (“to sojourn, dwell as a foreigner”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | גַּרְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | גַּרְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | גַּרְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | גָּר |
| 3rd person feminine singular | גָּרָה |
| 1st person plural | גַּרְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | גַּרְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | גַּרְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | גָּרוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | גָּר |
| Feminine singular | גָּרָה |
| Masculine plural | גָּרִים |
| Feminine plural | גָּרוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אָגוּר |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תָּגוּר |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תָּגוּרִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יָגוּר |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תָּגוּר |
| 1st person plural | נָגוּר |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תָּגוּרוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תָּגוּרְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יָגוּרוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | גוּר |
| 2nd person feminine singular | גוּרִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | גוּרוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | גוּרְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Genesis 12:10 – וַיֵּרֶד אַבְרָם מִצְרַיְמָה לָגוּר שָּׁם
“And Avram went down into Mitsrayim to sojourn there.” - Genesis 26:3 – גּוּר בָּאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת
“Sojourn in this land…” — God’s command to Yitsḥaq to stay as a foreigner. - Psalm 56:4 – בֵּאלֹהִים אֶהַלֵּל דְּבָרוֹ בֵּאלֹהִים בָּטַחְתִּי לֹא אִירָא מָה יַעֲשֶׂה בָּשָׂר לִי
(related form: fear meaning) — “In God I have trusted; I will not fear.”
Summary
The verb גוּר beautifully captures the life of the sojourner, a major biblical theme emphasizing humility, dependence on God, and hospitality toward foreigners. It also carries a secondary connotation of fear in some contexts. In both senses, גוּר reflects vulnerability, transience, and trust—important theological ideas woven throughout the Hebrew Bible.
