The Hebrew Verb גֵּרֵשׁ: To Drive Out, Expel, or Divorce

The Hebrew verb גֵּרֵשׁ (root: ג-ר-שׁ) means “to drive out,” “to banish,” “to expel,” or “to divorce.” It appears in both physical and legal contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible—from expelling people from a land to the formal act of sending away a spouse.

The verb most commonly appears in the Piel binyan (intensive), indicating strong or forceful expulsion. Less frequently, it appears in the Qal and Niphal stems with similar connotations of removal or separation.

 

Piel Binyan Conjugation of גֵּרֵשׁ (“to drive out, to expel”)

Past (Perfect) Tense

Person Form
1st person singular גֵּרַשְׁתִּי
2nd person masculine singular גֵּרַשְׁתָּ
2nd person feminine singular גֵּרַשְׁתְּ
3rd person masculine singular גֵּרֵשׁ
3rd person feminine singular גֵּרְשָׁה
1st person plural גֵּרַשְׁנוּ
2nd person masculine plural גֵּרַשְׁתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural גֵּרַשְׁתֶּן
3rd person plural גֵּרְשׁוּ

Present (Participle) Tense

Gender/Number Form
Masculine singular מְגָרֵשׁ
Feminine singular מְגָרֶשֶׁת
Masculine plural מְגָרְשִׁים
Feminine plural מְגָרְשׁוֹת

Future (Imperfect) Tense

Person Form
1st person singular אֲגָרֵשׁ
2nd person masculine singular תְּגָרֵשׁ
2nd person feminine singular תְּגָרְשִׁי
3rd person masculine singular יְגָרֵשׁ
3rd person feminine singular תְּגָרֵשׁ
1st person plural נְגָרֵשׁ
2nd person masculine plural תְּגָרְשׁוּ
2nd person feminine plural תְּגָרֵשְׁנָה
3rd person plural יְגָרְשׁוּ

Imperative Mood

Person Form
2nd person masculine singular גָּרֵשׁ
2nd person feminine singular גָּרְשִׁי
2nd person masculine plural גָּרְשׁוּ
2nd person feminine plural גָּרֵשְׁנָה

 

Usage in Scripture

  • Genesis 3:24וַיְגָרֶשׁ אֶת־הָאָדָם
    “So He drove out the man.” — God expels Adam from the Garden of Eden.
  • Exodus 6:1כִּי בְיָד חֲזָקָה יְשַׁלְּחֵם וּבְיָד חֲזָקָה יְגָרְשֵׁם מֵאַרְצוֹ
    “For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”
  • Deuteronomy 24:1וְכָתַב לָהּ סֵפֶר כְּרִיתוּת וְנָתַן בְּיָדָהּ וְשִׁלְּחָהּ מִבֵּיתוֹ
    (Related verb used in divorce contexts. Although the word “גרש” is not used directly here, it is conceptually parallel.)

 

Summary

The verb גֵּרֵשׁ is a powerful term in biblical Hebrew conveying forceful separation—whether from a physical location (as with exile or banishment) or a relational bond (such as divorce). Its use emphasizes decisive action and is often associated with divine judgment, national expulsion, or legal dissolution. The term remains foundational in both biblical and legal Hebrew vocabularies.

About Biblical Hebrew

Learn Biblical Hebrew Online. Studying Biblical Hebrew online opens a direct window into the sacred texts of the Hebrew Bible, allowing readers to engage with Scripture in its original linguistic and cultural context. By learning the language in which much of the Tanakh was written, students can move beyond translations and discover the nuanced meanings, poetic structures, and theological depth embedded in the Hebrew text. Online learning provides flexible and accessible avenues to build these skills, whether through self-paced modules, guided instruction, or interactive resources. As one grows in proficiency, the richness of biblical narratives, laws, prayers, and prophetic visions comes to life with renewed clarity, making the study of Biblical Hebrew not only an intellectual pursuit but a deeply rewarding spiritual and cultural journey.
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