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Gomer

Old TestamentPatriarchsMaleSonFather

Gomer, a son of Japheth, was the father of Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah, as listed in the Table of Nations.

Gomer illustration
Gomer

Biography

Gomer, son of Japheth and grandson of Noah, stands at the head of one of the earliest genealogical branches recorded in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:2–3; 1 Chronicles 1:5–6). He fathered three sons, Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah, whose descendants populated regions of Asia Minor, the Caucasus, and lands to the north and east. Ancient sources, including Josephus, associated Gomer's descendants with the Cimmerians, a people who migrated across the Pontic steppe and invaded Asia Minor in the eighth and seventh centuries BC. Gomer's lineage reappears in Ezekiel 38:6, where the house of Togarmah is named among the forces aligned with Gog in a future apocalyptic conflict. His significance lies primarily in his role as a progenitor of northern and eastern peoples within the divine ordering of humanity after the flood.

Significance

Gomer's place in the Table of Nations reflects the biblical conviction that all of humanity, including the most distant Gentile nations, traces its origin to the family of Noah and, ultimately, to the creative and governing hand of God. His descendants would later appear in prophetic contexts, Togarmah and Gomer himself are named in Ezekiel 38:6, connecting the primeval genealogy to eschatological expectation. This genealogical thread reminds readers that no nation lies beyond God's knowledge or sovereign purpose. The dispersion of Japheth's sons, including Gomer's line, carries within it the seeds of the Abrahamic promise that "all peoples on earth will be blessed" through God's chosen servant (Genesis 12:3).

Verse Appearances (5)

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
  3. Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
  4. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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