גַּרְמִי
bony, i.e. strong
Definition
The Hebrew word גַּרְמִי (Garmîy) is a gentilic noun meaning 'belonging to Garem' or 'the Garmite.' It is derived from the root גֶּרֶם (gerem), which means 'bone' or 'substance,' and in this context, it functions as a proper name identifying a clan or family lineage. The term appears only once in the Old Testament, specifically in 1 Chronicles 4:19, where it is used to designate Keilah the Garmite, a descendant of Judah. As a gentilic, it does not carry a descriptive meaning like 'bony' or 'strong' in this usage but rather serves to identify an individual's tribal affiliation within the genealogical records of Judah.
Biblical Usage
גַּרְמִי is used exclusively in 1 Chronicles 4:19 within a genealogical list of the tribe of Judah. In this context, it identifies Keilah as 'the Garmite,' specifying his family or clan origin. The usage follows the pattern of other gentilics in Chronicles (e.g., 'the Zorathites,' 'the Eshtaulites') that detail the subdivisions of Israel's tribes. No other biblical passages employ this word, and it does not appear in narrative or poetic texts.
Etymology
גַּרְמִי derives from the root גֶּרֶם (gerem, H1634), meaning 'bone,' 'skeleton,' or 'substance.' The suffix -ִי (-iy) forms a gentilic adjective, indicating 'belonging to' or 'related to.' Thus, גַּרְמִי literally means 'of Garem' or 'pertaining to bone,' but in its sole biblical occurrence, it functions as a proper name for a clan, likely named after an ancestor or place called Garem. Cognates in other Semitic languages, such as Arabic 'ʾajram' (bone), show the root's ancient association with strength and structure.
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, gentilic names like גַּרְמִי were significant for preserving tribal and clan identities, especially after the exile when genealogies reinforced claims to land and heritage. The mention in 1 Chronicles reflects post-exilic efforts to document Judah's lineage, emphasizing continuity and God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Unlike modern surnames, such names often indicated geographic origin or ancestral descent, vital for social and religious organization.
גֶּרֶם (gerem, H1634) — the root noun meaning 'bone' or 'substance,' whereas גַּרְמִי is a derived gentilic. יְהוּדִי (Yehudiy, H3064) — another gentilic meaning 'Judahite,' but specifying the tribe rather than a sub-clan.
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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