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גַּעְתָּם

𐤂𐤏𐤕𐤌

Gaetam

H1609 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain (personal or clan name)

Definition

Gatam is a proper name referring to an individual cited as an early clan leader among the Edomites in genealogical lists. The semantic range is primarily restricted to the designation of this personal or clan name within Edomite lineages.

Semantic Range

personal name of an Edomite leader, clan name in Edomite genealogy

Root / Etymology

etymology uncertain. The word גַּעְתָּם does not clearly derive from any known Hebrew root, nor is there a consensus among scholars regarding its original linguistic origin or meaning. Some propose an Edomite or otherwise non-Hebrew derivation due to its contextual association with Edomite genealogy.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Gatam appears exclusively in genealogical records listing the descendants of Esau/Edom (Genesis 36:11, 16; 1 Chronicles 1:36). As such, it functions as a proper name rather than a common noun. The context is genealogical and national, not religious or occupational. There is no record of a geographic site bearing this name in the Hebrew Bible. In English translations, the name has been rendered directly (Gatam, Ga'tam), following the Hebrew. The presence of the name in Edomite genealogies supports the interpretation that it is of Edomite (rather than Israelite or Judahite) origin. Alternative explanations connecting the name to known Hebrew roots (e.g., גָּת 'winepress') are conjectural and lack direct linguistic support. The name does not appear to acquire additional connotation in later biblical or post-biblical literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; Gatam, an Edomite; Gatam.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

uncertain (uncertain) — uncertain (personal or clan name)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar
H1114 בִּלְשָׁן Bilshan
H1150 בִּנְעָא Bin'a
H116 אֱדַיִן and then

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1609-02 וְ/גַעְתָּ֖ם vegaetam HC/Np and Gatam and Gatam 2
H1609-01 גַּעְתָּ֖ם gaetam HNp Gatam Gatam 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1609-02 Genesis 36:11 וְ/גַעְתָּ֖ם vegaetam HC/Np and Gatam and Gatam
H1609-01 Genesis 36:16 גַּעְתָּ֖ם gaetam HNp Gatam Gatam
H1609-02 1 Chronicles 1:36 וְ/גַעְתָּ֔ם vegaetam HC/Np and Gatam and Gatam
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