גַּעְתָּם
𐤂𐤏𐤕𐤌
Gaetam
H1609 noun
SILEX Entry
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
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1002 | בִּירָה | the citadel |
| H105 | אֲגַרְטָל | bowls of |
| H1081 | בַּלְאֲדָן | Baladan |
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1609-02 |
וְ/גַעְתָּ֔ם | vegaetam | HC/Np |
and Gatam | and Gatam | and Gaetam | 2 |
H1609-01 |
גַּעְתָּ֖ם | gaetam | HNp |
Gatam | Gatam | Gaetam | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1609-02 |
Genesis 36:11 | וְ/גַעְתָּ֖ם | vegaetam | HC/Np |
and Gatam | and Gatam | and Gaetam |
H1609-01 |
Genesis 36:16 | גַּעְתָּ֖ם | gaetam | HNp |
Gatam | Gatam | Gaetam |
H1609-02 |
1 Chronicles 1:36 | וְ/גַעְתָּ֔ם | vegaetam | HC/Np |
and Gatam | and Gatam | and Gaetam |