γόμος
a cargo, freight
Definition
The Greek word γόμος refers to a ship's cargo or freight, specifically the goods transported for commercial purposes. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes the merchandise carried by merchant vessels, as seen in Acts 21:3, where Paul's ship unloads its cargo. In Revelation 18:11-12, the term is used metaphorically to describe the vast, luxurious merchandise of Babylon the Great, listing items like gold, silver, and precious stones, emphasizing wealth and trade.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only three times in the New Testament, all within narratives about maritime trade. In Acts 21:3, it describes a literal cargo unloaded at Tyre. In Revelation 18:11 and 18:12, it is used in a prophetic, symbolic context, detailing the fallen commercial system of Babylon. The usage shifts from a concrete, physical meaning in Acts to a figurative, economic one in Revelation, highlighting themes of commerce and materialism.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek verb γέμω (gemō, G1073), meaning 'to be full' or 'to load,' γόμος literally means 'that which is loaded' or 'a burden.' It shares a root with words related to filling or carrying, reflecting its core idea of a laden shipment. The term was commonly used in secular Greek for ship cargoes, a meaning retained in the biblical texts.
Semantic Range
Theologically, γόμος gains significance in Revelation, where it symbolizes the corrupt wealth and idolatrous trade of Babylon, representing worldly systems opposed to God. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting biblical warnings against materialism and the transient nature of earthly riches, as seen in Revelation 18:11-17, where such cargo suddenly loses all value at God's judgment.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, γόμος was a practical term for maritime commerce, vital to the economy of the Mediterranean. Merchant ships transported diverse goods across empires, making cargo a symbol of prosperity and connection. This context amplifies the impact in Revelation, where the sudden loss of cargo signifies total economic collapse, contrasting with modern, more abstract views of trade.
φορτίον (phortion, G5413) — a burden or load, often with moral or spiritual weight (e.g., Matthew 11:30).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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