גָּשַׁם
𐤂𐤔𐤌
gâsham
H1652 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To rain, to pour down rain, to cause heavy rain; conveys the idea of precipitation, generally in the sense of a strong or heavy downpour, either as a natural occurrence or as an act attributed to the deity. Can also be used in the causative sense, meaning 'to make it rain.'
Semantic Range
to rain, to pour down rain, to shower (especially heavily), to cause rain, to shower down (said especially of intense or heavy precipitation)
Root / Etymology
From the root גָּשַׁם (g-š-m), whose core concepts relate to precipitation. The verb in its basic (qal) and causative (hiphil) stems refers to the action of raining or causing rain. The nominal forms (e.g., גֶּשֶׁם, geshem) carry the concept of rain or rainfall. The root meaning pertains specifically to the act and substance of rain rather than dew or other forms of precipitation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
גָּשַׁם is used primarily in contexts referring to heavy or intense rainfall, often as an expression of divine power or blessing (e.g., in narratives of drought or restoration of rain). The verb does not generally refer to gentle rain, which would more often be expressed with יָרָה (yarah) or מָטַר (matar); rather, גָּשַׁם depicts a strong, sometimes torrential rain. Usage is more prevalent in later Biblical and post-biblical Hebrew, as earlier texts often favor מָטַר for 'to rain.' In prophetic literature and poetry, גָּשַׁם may bear symbolic implications (e.g., abundance, renewal, or occasionally judgment, depending on context), but the basic sense remains literal precipitation. In later Hebrew, especially Rabbinic, derivatives of this root appear in the sense of physicality and materiality (e.g., גַּשְׁמִי, 'material' or 'corporeal'), though this is not the biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to shower violently; (cause to) rain.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
גשם (Geshem) — to rain, to pour, to shower
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1652-01 |
מַגְשִׁמִ֔ים | mageshimim | HVhrmpa |
who give rain | rain-causing ones | rain-causing ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1652-01 |
Jeremiah 14:22 | מַגְשִׁמִ֔ים | mageshimim | HVhrmpa |
who give rain | rain-causing ones | rain-causing ones |