גְּדִי
a young goat (from browsing)
Definition
גְּדִי (gᵉdîy) refers specifically to a young goat, typically a kid still dependent on its mother and known for its browsing behavior. In the Old Testament, it most often denotes a domesticated young goat used for food or sacrifice, as seen in the Passover instructions (Exodus 12:5) where a 'lamb or kid' is specified. The word can also carry a metaphorical sense of vulnerability or innocence, such as in Jacob's deception where he uses goat skins to mimic Esau (Genesis 27:9, 16). In some contexts, like the story of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38:17, 20, 23), it simply indicates a commodity or payment.
Biblical Usage
This noun appears 16 times, primarily in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy). It is used in narratives involving sacrifice or ritual (Exodus 23:19, 34:26; Deuteronomy 14:21), domestic settings (Genesis 27:9, 16), and transactional contexts (Genesis 38:17-23). A key pattern is its association with purity laws and offerings, where it is often paired with other animals like lambs.
Etymology
Derived from the root גָּדָה (gādâ, H1415), meaning 'to cut off' or 'to furrow,' which relates to a young goat being 'cut off' from the herd or perhaps to its browsing that cuts vegetation. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Arabic 'jady' (kid). The meaning consistently centers on a young, small goat.
Semantic Range
The גְּדִי holds theological significance in sacrificial systems, representing a permissible offering for atonement or fellowship (e.g., Leviticus 4:23-24). Its use in the Passover (Exodus 12:5) underscores God's provision and substitution. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the concrete, pastoral imagery behind rituals and metaphors of innocence or value in biblical narratives.
In ancient Israelite culture, young goats were valuable livestock for milk, meat, and hides. They were easier to manage and sacrifice than larger animals, making them a common choice for personal offerings or meals. The 'kid' was not seen as merely mundane but as a practical asset in an agrarian society, often symbolizing provision or trade, as in Judah's pledge to Tamar.
שָׂעִיר (śāʿîr, H8163) — a hairy goat or demonic figure, often used for sin offerings; טָלֶה (ṭāleh, H2922) — a young lamb, focusing on youth but of sheep; עֵז (ʿēz, H5795) — a general term for goat (male or female), not specifying age.
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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