Bible Dictionary
Hill
A hill is a rounded elevation or, in some passages, an elevated region or mountain district. Biblical references include the hills of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim and the hill associated with Jesus’ transfiguration.
Definition
A hill is a rounded or curved elevation, though the biblical term may also describe a mountain range or an entire elevated district. In some passages the word translated “hill” properly means an ascent or elevated country.
Biblical Usage
Scripture refers to the hills or elevated country of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim. The term is also used of the mountain associated with the Transfiguration in Luke 9:37.
Historical Background
The Hebrew word gib‘ah denotes a rounded hill, while har more commonly indicates a mountain range or elevated district. The hill country formed the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) Heb. gib’eah, a curved or rounded hill, such as are common to Palestine (Ps. 65:12; 72:3; 114:4, 6). (2.) Heb. har, properly a mountain range rather than an individual eminence (Ex. 24:4, 12, 13, 18; Num. 14:40, 44, 45). In Deut. 1:7, Josh. 9:1; 10:40; 11:16, it denotes the elevated district of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim, which forms the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. (3.) Heb. ma’aleh in 1 Sam. 9:11. Authorized Version “hill” is correctly rendered in the Revised Version “ascent.” (4.) In Luke 9:37 the “hill” is the Mount of Transfiguration.