from גַּזָז; a fleece (as shorn); also mown grass; fleece, mowing, mown grass.
Transliteration:gêz
Pronunciation:gaze
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H1488 (גֵּז - *gêz*) is a noun derived from the verbal root `{{H1494}}` (גָּזַז - *gazaz*), which means "to shear" (sheep) or "to cut" (grass). This etymological connection is crucial to understanding its semantic range.
Its primary meaning is "a fleece," specifically the wool shorn from a sheep. This refers to the entire mass of wool removed in one shearing. The term inherently implies an act of separation or removal from a living source.
The secondary meaning extends this concept of "cutting" to vegetation, referring to "mown grass" or "mowing." In this context, *gêz* signifies grass that has been cut down, often for fodder or as part of agricultural practice.
Thus, the core meaning revolves around something that has been severed or removed by cutting, whether it be animal fiber or plant material. The common thread is the product or result of a shearing/cutting action.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H1488 appears in the Hebrew Bible in several significant contexts:
* **As "Fleece":**
* In [[Deuteronomy 18:4]], *gêz* refers to "the first of your fleece" (רֵאשִׁית גֵּז צֹאנְךָ). This verse mandates that the first shearings of the flock are to be given to the priests, alongside the firstfruits of grain, wine, and oil. Here, *gêz* represents a valuable agricultural product, a source of wealth and a designated offering to God.
* [[Job 31:20]] uses *gêz* in a context of social justice and compassion: "if his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep." Job asserts his righteousness by providing warmth and clothing to the poor from his own flock, highlighting the practical value of fleece for human welfare.
* The most prominent and theologically rich occurrences are found in the narrative of **Gideon's fleece** in [[Judges 6:37-40]]. Gideon twice uses a "fleece of wool" (גֵּז הַצֶּמֶר) as a sign to confirm God's will regarding the deliverance of Israel from Midian.
* [[Judges 6:37]]: "Behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have spoken."
* [[Judges 6:38]]: The sign is fulfilled: "And it was so. When he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung out dew from the fleece, a bowl full of water."
* [[Judges 6:39]]: Gideon requests a reversal of the sign: "Let it now be dry only on the fleece, and on all the ground let there be dew."
* [[Judges 6:40]]: This second sign is also miraculously fulfilled, confirming God's patience and commitment to Gideon. In this context, the *gêz* is a tangible object through which God directly intervenes in the natural order to provide assurance and confirm His divine purpose.
* **As "Mown Grass" or "Mowing":**
* [[Psalm 72:6]] employs *gêz* metaphorically: "He will come down like rain on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth." Here, *gêz* (עַל־גֵּז) refers to grass that has been cut, which then receives refreshing rain, symbolizing the life-giving and restorative power of a righteous king's reign. The image suggests renewal and flourishing after a period of cutting or harvesting.
* In [[Amos 7:1]], *gêz* (גֵּז) describes a stage in the agricultural cycle: "Thus the Lord God showed me: and behold, he formed locusts in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and behold, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings." This refers to the second crop of grass or hay, often reserved for the king's animals. The locust plague devouring this vital "mowing" signifies a devastating judgment, highlighting the vulnerability of essential resources.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of H1488 is enriched by its relationship to other biblical terms and concepts:
* **`{{H1494}}` (גָּזַז - *gazaz*):** The verbal root, meaning "to shear" or "to cut off." This is the foundational term, indicating the action that produces the *gêz*.
* **`{{H6785}}` (צֶמֶר - *tsemer*):** The general Hebrew word for "wool." In [[Judges 6]], *gêz* is specified as *gêz ha-tsemer*, "fleece of the wool," emphasizing its material.
* **Agricultural Terms:** Concepts related to harvesting, crops, and animal husbandry are inherently linked.
* `{{H7114}}` (קָצִיר - *qatsir*): "harvest" or "reaping," a broader term for agricultural gathering.
* `{{H3318}}` (יֶקֶב - *yeqev*): "threshing floor," the location where Gideon laid his fleece, connecting *gêz* to the agricultural setting.
* **Divine Signs and Omens:** The use of *gêz* in Gideon's narrative connects it to the broader biblical theme of God providing signs (`{{H226}}` - *'oth*) to confirm His word or presence.
* **Provision and Sustenance:** Both fleece and mown grass are vital for human and animal survival, linking *gêz* to the concept of divine provision (`{{H3557}}` - *kul*).
* **Judgment and Blessing:** The contrasting uses in Psalms and Amos illustrate *gêz* within the theological framework of divine blessing (`{{H1293}}` - *berakah*) and judgment (`{{H4941}}` - *mishpat*).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H1488 is multifaceted, touching upon divine provision, human faith, and the nature of God's communication:
* **Divine Provision and Human Stewardship:** The command to offer the first *gêz* to the priests ([[Deuteronomy 18:4]]) underscores the principle of giving God the first and best of one's produce. It acknowledges God as the ultimate provider of all blessings and calls for human responsibility in stewardship and worship. Similarly, Job's use of his fleece for the poor highlights the ethical dimension of wealth as a means of caring for the vulnerable, reflecting divine compassion.
* **God's Accommodation and Confirmation of Will:** The narrative of Gideon's fleece in [[Judges 6]] is perhaps the most profound theological application of *gêz*. It demonstrates God's remarkable patience and condescension to human weakness and doubt. While Gideon's repeated requests for signs might seem indicative of a lack of faith, God graciously provides undeniable proof, confirming His call and demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation (controlling dew) to assure His servant. This passage affirms that God can and does provide clear guidance and assurance when necessary, especially in moments of significant calling or uncertainty. It is a powerful testament to God's active involvement in human history and His desire for His people to walk in confidence.
* **Metaphor for Blessing and Renewal:** In [[Psalm 72:6]], the image of rain on "mown grass" portrays the refreshing and life-giving nature of a righteous king's reign. This metaphor extends to the reign of the Messiah, signifying a period of spiritual and material abundance, restoration, and flourishing after times of difficulty or "cutting." It speaks to God's ability to bring new life and growth even after periods of depletion.
* **Vulnerability to Judgment:** Conversely, in [[Amos 7:1]], "the king's mowings" represent a vital resource that is targeted by divine judgment in the form of locusts. This illustrates how God can withdraw His provision and bring devastation as a consequence of disobedience. It highlights the fragility of human existence and dependence on God's sustaining grace.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H1488 (*gêz*) primarily refers to "fleece" (wool shorn from a sheep) and secondarily to "mown grass" or "mowing." Derived from the root `{{H1494}}` ("to shear" or "to cut"), its semantic range encompasses products resulting from a cutting action. Biblically, *gêz* is significant in several contexts: as a valuable agricultural offering to priests ([[Deuteronomy 18:4]]) and a source of warmth for the poor ([[Job 31:20]]); as a powerful, miraculous sign of divine confirmation and guidance in the narrative of Gideon's fleece ([[Judges 6]]); and metaphorically, as "mown grass," symbolizing both refreshing blessing under righteous rule ([[Psalm 72:6]]) and vulnerability to divine judgment ([[Amos 7:1]]). Theologically, *gêz* underscores God's provision, His gracious accommodation to human doubt through tangible signs, and the dual potential for renewal or devastation inherent in the created order, reflecting divine blessing or judgment.
TRV