The Hebrew verb ganan means to defend, shield, or protect — to spread a covering over another to ward off harm. The image is of a warrior's shield held over a vulnerable person. It occurs primarily in prophetic literature, particularly Isaiah, where God declares military protection over Jerusalem.
Isaiah uses ganan repeatedly: 'For I will defend (ganan) this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David' (Isaiah 37:35). This is covenant language — God commits as guardian of His people. When God ganans, no human force prevails, prefiguring Christ the Good Shepherd.