from גָּדַע; a cutting (i.e. desolation); Gidom, a place in Palestine; Gidom.
Transliteration:Gidʻôm
Pronunciation:ghid-ohm'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma גִּדְעֹם (Gidʻôm, `{{H1440}}`) is a proper noun, a place name, directly derived from the Hebrew verbal root גָּדַע (gadaʻ, `{{H1438}}`). This root fundamentally conveys the meaning "to cut off," "to hew down," "to amputate," or "to destroy." Therefore, גִּדְעֹם inherently carries the semantic weight of "a cutting" or, more broadly, "desolation" or "a place of destruction." As a geographical designation, its name likely reflects a significant event or characteristic of the location itself, perhaps an area known for a decisive battle, a place where something was severely cut down (e.g., trees, people), or a site marked by profound devastation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term גִּדְעֹם (Gidʻôm, `{{H1440}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges:
* **[[Judges 20:45]]**: "And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them."
This verse describes a pivotal moment during the civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the united tribes of Israel, a conflict ignited by the horrific crime in Gibeah (Judges 19). The Benjamites, having suffered immense losses, are in full retreat. The pursuit is relentless, pushing the fleeing remnant towards the wilderness and the rock of Rimmon. Gidom is identified as a further point in this pursuit where an additional two thousand Benjamite warriors were slain. The mention of Gidom as a place of continued slaughter reinforces its association with the "cutting off" or "desolation" of the Benjamite forces. It marks a critical juncture in their near-annihilation, serving as a grim testament to the extent of their defeat and the severe consequences of their actions.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **גָּדַע (gadaʻ, `{{H1438}}`):** The foundational root verb meaning "to cut off," "to hew down," or "to destroy." This verb is frequently used in contexts of judgment, military defeat, or the removal of obstacles or wicked individuals. For instance, God "cuts off" the horn of the wicked ([[Psalm 75:10]]) or "cuts down" the proud ([[Isaiah 10:33]]). The direct etymological link between Gidom and this root underscores the theme of decisive termination and destruction.
* **חֶרֶב (ḥerev, `{{H2719}}`):** "Sword." This is the primary instrument of "cutting off" in battle, directly related to the actions taking place at Gidom. The sword was the means by which the Benjamites were "cut off" and destroyed.
* **שָׁמַם (shamam, `{{H8074}}`):** "To be desolate," "to be appalled." This verb describes the state of desolation that results from the "cutting off" implied by Gidom. The aftermath of the conflict left Benjamin in a state of profound desolation and near-extinction.
* **Divine Judgment:** The entire narrative of Judges 19-21, culminating in the events at Gidom, serves as a stark illustration of the consequences of Israel's moral and spiritual decline. The "cutting off" at Gidom is not merely a military outcome but a manifestation of divine allowance of judgment upon a people who had abandoned God's laws.
### Theological Significance
While גִּדְעֹם (Gidʻôm, `{{H1440}}`) is primarily a geographical marker, its etymological root profoundly enriches its theological significance. The "cutting off" implied by its name is more than a physical act of war; it symbolizes the severe consequences of sin, internal strife, and the breakdown of covenant faithfulness within the community of Israel.
The mention of Gidom in [[Judges 20:45]] is embedded within a narrative that lays bare the spiritual anarchy of the period of the Judges, where "there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes" ([[Judges 21:25]]). The desolation and near-annihilation of Benjamin, culminating in the pursuit to Gidom, serve as a tragic testament to the destructive power of unrighteousness and the ensuing divine discipline. It underscores the principle that disobedience to God's commands and the abandonment of moral order lead to devastating outcomes, including internal conflict and the "cutting off" of a people.
Thus, Gidom stands as a somber memorial to a moment of profound national crisis and divine judgment, highlighting the grave implications of covenant infidelity and the dire need for repentance and adherence to God's righteous standards.
### Summary
גִּדְעֹם (Gidʻôm, `{{H1440}}`) is a unique Hebrew proper noun, a place name appearing solely in [[Judges 20:45]]. Its etymology, deriving from the root גָּדַע (gadaʻ, `{{H1438}}`), meaning "to cut off" or "to hew down," imbues Gidom with the semantic force of "a cutting" or "desolation." Contextually, it marks a grim location during the pursuit and decimation of the Benjamite forces by the other Israelite tribes, signifying a place where a significant number of the fleeing warriors were "cut off." Theologically, Gidom transcends its geographical identity to symbolize the severe consequences of sin, internal division, and the breakdown of covenant order within Israel. It serves as a stark reminder of divine judgment and the devastating impact of unrighteousness, underscoring the theme of a people being "cut off" due to their disobedience.
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