A Canaanite tribe (Genesis 10:16; 1 Chronicles 1:14) whose land was promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:21; Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 3:10). The land was ultimately acquired (Joshua 24:11; Nehemiah 9:8). The tribe’s location is unknown. They may have lived in Karkisha, a city mentioned in Hittite texts, or in Kirkishati, an area east of the Tigris. The name Gresh appeared in 13th century BC Ugaritic texts and might indicate a tribe. In Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1; and Luke 8:26, a name variously translated as “Gergesenes” (King James Version), “Gerasenes,” and “Gadarenes” may preserve the tradition that the Girgashites once lived in Palestine.
Girgashites
From Tyndale Bible Dictionary, adapted by Mission Mutual. CC BY-SA 4.0.