גֹּמֶר
𐤂𐤌𐤓
Gomer
H1586 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Gômer is used as a proper noun denoting (1) the eldest son of Japheth and the ancestors of a group of peoples listed in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:2-3; 1 Chronicles 1:5-6), and (2) a woman in the Hosea narrative, specifically the daughter of Diblaim who becomes the wife of the prophet Hosea (Hosea 1:3). The primary lexical meaning is as a personal name; in the context of Genesis, it refers to an ethnic lineage, while in Hosea, it is the name of a specific woman. The name is etymologically related to the root meaning 'to complete' or 'to bring to an end,' but the biblical proper name does not directly carry this lexical meaning in its attested usage.
Semantic Range
personal name (male ancestor, son of Japheth); eponym for descendants/peoples (Genesis 10:2-3, 1 Chronicles 1:5-6); personal name (female, daughter of Diblaim, Hosea 1:3)
Root / Etymology
From the root גמר (g-m-r), meaning 'to complete, finish, bring to an end.' The formation גֹּמֶר (Gômer) is a proper noun, likely constructed as a personal name derived from this root, though as is common with biblical names, the connection to the verbal root may be nominal or symbolic rather than reflective of usage meaning. In the case of the female name (Hosea), it is probably a re-use of the ancestral name rather than an independent formation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
As the name of Japheth's son, Gômer represents the ancestor of a group of peoples traditionally associated in later historiography with the Cimmerians, a people of Anatolia and the Eurasian Steppe. Such identification is post-biblical and reflects ancient attempts to correlate biblical genealogies with known populations; the Hebrew Bible itself does not detail historical events linked to Gômer or his descendants. In Hosea, Gômer the daughter of Diblaim serves as a symbolic figure within the prophetic narrative, with her name possibly chosen for its resonance or typological value rather than its etymological sense. Unlike some KJV and other English traditions, the term 'Jew' is not applicable to either usage; neither Gômer son of Japheth nor Gômer daughter of Diblaim were Israelites by strict biblical genealogical reckoning. There is no indication that the semantic element of 'completion' or 'end' was felt in the usage of the personal name during the periods attested.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from גָּמַר; completion; Gomer, the name of a son of Japheth and of his descendants; also of a Hebrewess; Gomer.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גמר (g-m-r) — to complete, finish, bring to an end
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1584 | גָּמַר | he completed |
| H1585 | גְּמַר | completed one |
| H1587 | גְּמַרְיָה | Yah has completed |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1586-01 |
גֹּ֣מֶר | gomer | HNp |
Gomer | Gomer | 6 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1586-01 |
Genesis 10:2 | גֹּ֣מֶר | gomer | HNp |
Gomer | Gomer |
H1586-01 |
Genesis 10:3 | גֹּ֑מֶר | gomer | HNp |
Gomer | Gomer |
H1586-01 |
Ezekiel 38:6 | גֹּ֚מֶר | gomer | HNp |
Gomer | Gomer |
H1586-01 |
Hosea 1:3 | גֹּ֖מֶר | gomer | HNp |
Gomer | Gomer |
H1586-01 |
1 Chronicles 1:5 | גֹּ֣מֶר | gomer | HNp |
Gomer | Gomer |
H1586-01 |
1 Chronicles 1:6 | גֹּ֑מֶר | gomer | HNp |
Gomer | Gomer |