גֵּז
a fleece (as shorn); also mown grass
Definition
The Hebrew noun גֵּז (gêz) primarily refers to a 'fleece,' the wool shorn from a sheep or goat, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:4 where it is listed among the firstfruits offerings due to the priests. It also extends in meaning to 'mown grass' or 'mowing,' representing the cut produce of the field, as in Psalm 72:6 where the Messiah's reign is described as bringing renewal 'like rain upon the mown grass.' In Job 31:20, it poetically refers to the wool of a lamb used for clothing, and in Amos 7:1, it denotes grass that has been cut, likely for fodder.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only four times in the Old Testament, in legal, poetic, and prophetic contexts. In Deuteronomy 18:4, it is used in a legal list of agricultural offerings. In Job 31:20 and Psalm 72:6, it is employed in poetic imagery—for clothing and for refreshing renewal, respectively. In Amos 7:1, it appears in a prophetic vision concerning the aftermath of the king's harvest. The usage consistently relates to products that have been cut or harvested, whether from animals or fields.
Etymology
גֵּז (gêz) is a noun derived from the root גָּזַז (gāzaz, H1494), meaning 'to shear' or 'to mow.' This root connection clearly links the noun to the action of cutting, whether it is shearing wool from sheep or cutting down grass. The semantic range flows directly from this verbal action to its resulting products.
Semantic Range
While not a theologically heavy term, גֵּז enriches our understanding of God's provision and the principle of firstfruits. In Deuteronomy 18:4, the fleece is part of the sustenance God provides for the Levitical priesthood, highlighting His care for those dedicated to His service. In Psalm 72:6, the 'mown grass' becomes a powerful metaphor for the Messiah's reviving and refreshing righteousness, bringing life and renewal to what has been cut down or exhausted.
In an agrarian and pastoral society, both wool and mown grass were vital economic resources. Wool was essential for clothing and textiles, while mown grass (hay) was crucial for feeding livestock, especially during dry seasons. The inclusion of the fleece among the firstfruits (Deuteronomy 18:4) underscores its value as a primary product of shepherding, just as grain and wine were from farming.
צֶמֶר (ṣemer, H6785) — The more common general term for 'wool,' whereas גֵּז specifies the shorn fleece as a product. חָצִיר (ḥāṣîr, H2682) — The general term for 'grass' or 'herbage,' while גֵּז specifies grass that has been mown.
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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