גַּחַם
Gacham, a son of Nahor
Definition
Gacham is a proper noun referring to a minor figure in the genealogy of Abraham's brother, Nahor. He is identified as one of the twelve sons born to Nahor and his concubine Reumah, as recorded in Genesis 22:24. The name appears only in this genealogical list, which establishes the extended family line from which Abraham's future wife, Rebekah, would later descend. There are no other biblical senses or meanings for this specific name.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 22:24, within a genealogical context. It functions solely to list Gacham as one of the sons of Nahor, Abraham's brother, born to his concubine Reumah. This usage is part of a broader narrative that traces family lines, setting the stage for the later story of Isaac and Rebekah, who comes from this same Nahorite lineage.
Etymology
The name Gacham (גַּחַם) is derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to burn,' related to the idea of a 'flame' or 'hot coal.' This suggests the name may have carried a meaning like 'flaming' or 'ardent.' It shares a conceptual root with words like גַּחַל (gachal, H1513), meaning 'a burning coal.' As a proper name, its exact semantic force in this context is unclear but likely conveyed a sense of intensity or heat.
Semantic Range
While Gacham himself is not a theologically significant figure, his inclusion in the genealogy of Nahor (Genesis 22:20-24) serves an important narrative purpose. This list demonstrates God's faithfulness in blessing Abraham's extended family, fulfilling the promise of numerous descendants even through his brother's line. It also providentially establishes the family from which Rebekah—the mother of Jacob/Israel—will come, connecting to the larger covenant story.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, names often held descriptive or aspirational meaning. A name derived from 'burning' or 'flame' like Gacham might have symbolized vigor, passion, or possibly a connection to divine presence (cf. the burning bush). As a son born to a concubine, his inclusion in the official genealogy indicates his recognized, though likely secondary, status within the family structure of the patriarch Nahor.
No direct synonyms exist as it is a unique proper name. Conceptually related words based on its root include: גַּחַל (gachal, H1513) — a burning coal or ember, the common noun from the same root.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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