גֵּהָה
𐤂𐤄𐤄
gêhâh
H1456 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A substance or action designed to heal, restore, or bring relief to injury, sickness, or affliction; broadly, a means or process of healing. In most occurrences, refers to concrete medical treatment or remedy, rather than a ritual or symbolic act.
Semantic Range
medicine, cure, remedy, restoration, means of healing
Root / Etymology
From the root גָּהָה (g-h-h), meaning 'to heal' or 'to cure.' The noun גֵּהָה derives from this root and denotes the result of or means to the healing process. The root itself is likely related to other Semitic terms for healing or restoration, though Hebrew usage is somewhat unique in its forms. The root's core meaning is 'to remedy, make whole.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
גֵּהָה appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible and is notably rare; found only in Proverbs 17:22. In context, it signifies that a cheerful disposition contributes to health, whereas a crushed spirit dries up the bones, illustrating a connection between emotional wellbeing and physical remedy. The term does not have the ambiguity of רְפוּאָה (refu'ah, 'healing, health'), which can mean both the process and general state. גֵּהָה more specifically denotes a physical remedy or medicinal cure, tangible or process-based. Unlike later periods where medicine and magic or ritual often blended, in its biblical context גֵּהָה tends to emphasize pragmatic, non-ritualistic healing. English Bible versions often translate it simply as 'medicine' or 'cure,' but its nuance includes both the remedy itself and the act of administering healing. Post-biblical Hebrew uses different terms, and גֵּהָה does not persist as a standard term for medicine. In translation traditions (such as the Septuagint), the term is rendered with Greek words denoting healing or therapy, without implying magic or religious ritual.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from גָּהָה; a cure; medicine.
Bantu Hebrew
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גהה (g-h-h) — to heal, to cure, to make whole
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1456-01 |
גֵּהָ֑ה | gehah | HNcfsa |
medicine | healing remedy | healing remedy | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1456-01 |
Proverbs 17:22 | גֵּהָ֑ה | gehah | HNcfsa |
medicine | healing remedy | healing remedy |