גֹּמֶד
properly, a span
Definition
The Hebrew noun גֹּמֶד (gômed) refers to a unit of measurement, specifically a 'span' or a 'cubit'. It is used in the Old Testament to describe the length of Ehud's sword in Judges 3:16, which was a 'gomed' long. While traditionally translated as 'cubit', its exact length is uncertain, but it likely denotes a shorter measure than the standard cubit, perhaps equivalent to the distance from the elbow to the knuckles or a half-cubit. This term highlights the specific, concealable size of the weapon used in the narrative.
Biblical Usage
This word occurs only once in the Old Testament, in Judges 3:16, where it describes the length of the sword that Ehud made for himself. The context is the story of Ehud assassinating King Eglon of Moab; the specific measurement emphasizes that the sword was short enough to be hidden on his person under his clothing, which was crucial for his plan. No other biblical books use this term, making its usage unique to this narrative of deliverance and cunning.
Etymology
גֹּמֶד (gômed) derives from an unused Hebrew root likely meaning 'to grasp' or 'to hold', suggesting a measurement related to the hand or arm. It is cognate with other Semitic words for units of length. The development of meaning from the root idea of grasping to a specific span reflects how ancient cultures often used body parts (like the hand or forearm) as practical, standardized measures in daily life and craftsmanship.
Semantic Range
While גֹּמֶד itself is a mundane measurement term, its single use in Judges 3:16 carries theological significance in the narrative of God's deliverance. The precise, concealable length of Ehud's sword underscores God's providence in equipping His chosen deliverer with an unexpected tool, highlighting themes of divine strategy, human ingenuity, and the overthrow of oppression. Understanding this detail enriches reading by showing how even small, specific elements in Hebrew contribute to the story's tension and God's sovereign plan.
In ancient Israelite culture, measurements like the gomed were based on the human body, making them practical but variable. A 'gomed' likely referred to a span (the distance from the thumb to the little finger when the hand is spread) or a half-cubit, differing from the more common longer cubit (about 18 inches). This reflects a pre-standardized system where such terms were understood in everyday contexts, such as crafting tools or weapons, as seen with Ehud's sword designed for concealment in a garment.
אַמָּה (ʼammâ, H520) — the standard cubit, a longer measure from elbow to fingertip; זֶרֶת (zereth, H2239) — a span, typically half a cubit, from thumb to little finger.
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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