Metaphysical meaning of Gibeon (mbd)
Gibeon, g;b'-e-on (Heb.)--place of the hill; hill city, i.e., built on a hill; high hill
A royal city of the Canaanites (Josh. 10:2), whose inhabitants made peace with Israel. It was "upon Gibeon" that the sun stood still, in Joshua's great battle against the five kings of the Amorites. This city later was allotted to the tribe of Benjamin (Josh. 18:25) and was by them given over to the Levites (Josh. 21:17). At Gibeon Solomon went to sacrifice, and Jehovah appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask whatever he wanted and it would be given him. Solomon asked for an understanding heart, that he might judge the people righteously; this so pleased the Lord that He added riches and might to him, such as had never been known before (I Kings 3:4-15)
Meta. A high, illumined state of consciousness, that high point in the silence which man reaches when he realizes his unity with God.
Gibeon, the high point in spiritual consciousness, is called a place of sacrifice because it is here that man lets go of personal ideas and desires, and seeks only the presence of God. The essential steps that must be taken before man can enter Spirit are: First, there must be an earnest desire to know and feel the presence of God. Second, there must be willingness to eliminate sense thoughts from consciousness. This is accomplished through denying error expression, in thought and act, and affirming the substantial ideas of Spirit.
One must become as "a little child" when one desires to be taught by Spirit, because the childlike attitude is one of receptivity and obedience. This state of mind invites an inflow of spiritual ideas from the one Source of wisdom.
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Preceding Entry: Gibeathite
Following Entry: Gibeonites
