English · KJV
H1484

גּוֹר

gôwr /gore/ Ask about this word
Rootor (feminine) גֹּרָה · a variation of גּוּר
Meaning(a cub (as still abiding in the lair), especially of the lion)
KJV usagewhelp.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of gôwr — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word gôwr, represented by H1484, translates to a whelp or cub, specifically that of a lion still in its lair. Its base definition indicates a young animal abiding in the den. This specific term appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, used to invoke powerful imagery within prophetic contexts.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical occurrences, H1484 is used metaphorically to describe the sounds and actions of powerful, aggressive entities. In Jeremiah, the subjects of a prophecy "shall yell as lions' whelps" Jeremiah 51:38, using the image to convey a fierce and unified outcry. In Nahum, the term appears in a detailed allegory of a lion's den, where the adult lion provides for its young by tearing prey for its whelps H1484 and strangling food for its lionesses Nahum 2:12.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words build the scene of the lion's den where the whelp is found:

  • H738 ʼărîy (lion): This is the general term for an adult lion, the parent who provides for and protects the whelp Nahum 2:12.
  • H3715 kᵉphîyr (young lion): Used alongside gôwr in Jeremiah 51:38, this term for a young, often maned, lion adds to the chorus of fierce roaring.
  • H3833 lâbîyʼ (lion, lioness): This word, properly meaning a lioness, appears in parallel with whelps, depicting the complete family unit for which the male lion provides Nahum 2:12.
  • H2963 ṭâraph (to pluck off or pull to pieces): This verb describes the violent action of the adult lion preparing food for its dependent young, as it "did tear in pieces enough for his whelps" Nahum 2:12.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H1484 is tied to its use in prophetic imagery of judgment and power.

  • Symbol of Developing Ferocity: The "yell" of lion's whelps is not just noise; it is the sound of a predatory nature in development, used in Jeremiah to illustrate the character of a nation ready for destruction Jeremiah 51:38.
  • Illustration of Predatory Provision: The scene in Nahum 2:12, where a lion fills his den with prey H2964 and ravin H2966 for his whelps, is used as a powerful metaphor for the rapaciousness of a city that thrives on violence, and which will face divine judgment.
  • Dependence within a Destructive Force: The whelp is entirely dependent on the provision of the adult lion. This highlights a generational aspect of predatory behavior, where the young are raised and sustained by the spoils of violence.

Summary

In summary, H1484 is a rare but potent word. While its literal meaning is simply a lion cub, its biblical application gives it significant weight. It contributes to vivid prophetic metaphors, representing the young of a fierce and predatory power. The term is essential for understanding the biblical imagery of the lion's den as a symbol of both formidable strength and brutal consumption that invites the judgment of God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • גֹרוֹתָי
  • גוֹרֵי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H738 אֲרִי or (prolonged) [ar-yay']; from אָרָה (in the sense of violence); a lion; (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin) H3715 כְּפִיר from כָּפַר; a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane); (young) lion, villa H3833 לָבִיא or (Ezekiel 19:2) לְבִיָּא; irregular masculine plural לְבָאִים; irregular feminine plural לְבָאוֹת; from an unused root H2963 טָרַף a primitive root; to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels); catch, [idiom] withou H2964 טֶרֶף from טָרַף; something torn, i.e. a fragment, e.g. a fresh leaf, prey, food; leaf, meat, prey, spoil. H2966 טְרֵפָה feminine (collectively) of טֶרֶף; prey, i.e. flocks devoured by animals; ravin, (that which was) torn (of beasts, in pie

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Jeremiah and Nahum (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Jeremiah
1
Nahum

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.