גָּמַר
𐤂𐤌𐤓
gâmar
H1584 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To bring to an end, to complete, to finish. In biblical usage, גָּמַר primarily denotes the process of bringing something or an action to full completion or conclusion, whether successfully (as in accomplishing or perfecting) or by cessation. It can also indicate the reaching of a final state, whether positive (completion, perfection) or negative (cessation, failing).
Semantic Range
to complete, to finish, to bring to an end, to perfect, to accomplish, to cease, to fail (in the sense of coming to an end), to bring to completion
Root / Etymology
The verb גָּמַר is derived from the root גמר, which carries the basic idea of completion or accomplishment. The root is attested in other Semitic languages with similar meanings (e.g., Aramaic גמר 'to finish, accomplish'). The sense in Hebrew expands from the root idea to contexts denoting conclusion, completion, end, or perfection.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical Hebrew, גָּמַר occurs infrequently and primarily in poetic or literary texts (e.g., Psalms 7:10, 12:2, Lamentations 3:22, Ezekiel 22:15). Its usage centers on bringing a process or state to full completion, whether successful or not. The term is used to describe both positive fulfillment (as in a completed action, a cause carried through to the end, or a perfected state) and negative cessation (such as failing or coming to an end). Compared to the more common כָּלָה (kalah, 'to finish, complete, come to an end'), גָּמַר is less frequent, sometimes with a stronger sense of decisiveness or finality. In later Hebrew, it retains the sense of completion or perfection (cf. Rabbinic Hebrew 'to memorize' or 'to complete learning'). Standard English translations ('cease,' 'perform,' 'perfect') do not always reflect the full nuances, and the sense of failure is a contextually derived extension of the core meaning of coming to an end, not an inherent part of the root.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to end (in the sense of completion or failure); cease, come to an end, fail, perfect, perform.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גמר (g-m-r) — completion, finishing, bringing to an end, perfecting
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1585 | גְּמַר | completed one |
| H1586 | גֹּמֶר | Gomer |
| H1587 | גְּמַרְיָה | Yah has completed |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1584-01 |
גָמַ֣ר | gamar | HVqp3ms |
finished | he completed | 2 |
H1584-03 |
יִגְמָר | yigemar | HVqj3ms |
may come to an end | may he complete | 1 |
H1584-04 |
יִגְמֹ֪ר | yigemor | HVqi3ms |
will perfect | he will complete | 1 |
H1584-02 |
גֹּמֵ֥ר | gomer | HVqrmsa |
who fulfills | Completion | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1584-03 |
Psalms 7:10 | יִגְמָר | yigemar | HVqj3ms |
may come to an end | may he complete |
H1584-01 |
Psalms 12:2 | גָמַ֣ר | gamar | HVqp3ms |
has-ceased | he completed |
H1584-02 |
Psalms 57:3 | גֹּמֵ֥ר | gomer | HVqrmsa |
who fulfills | Completion |
H1584-01 |
Psalms 77:9 | גָּ֥מַר | gamar | HVqp3ms |
finished | he completed |
H1584-04 |
Psalms 138:8 | יִגְמֹ֪ר | yigemor | HVqi3ms |
will perfect | he will complete |