probably from גִּיחַlemma גּיחַ missing vowel, corrected to גִּיחַ; (compare גִּיחוֹן); the external abdomen, belly (as the source of the faetus ); belly.
Transliteration:gâchôwn
Pronunciation:gaw-khone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term gâchôwn (`{{H1512}}`) refers specifically to the "external abdomen" or "belly." Its etymological root is likely giyach (`{{H1518}}`), meaning "to burst forth" or "to bring forth." This connection suggests an association with the place from which something emerges or is born, as indicated by the definition's note "as the source of the faetus." Thus, gâchôwn denotes a particular anatomical region, emphasizing its outward aspect and its potential role in biological origination. Unlike broader terms for the belly, gâchôwn highlights the underside or external surface.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word gâchôwn (`{{H1512}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the book of Leviticus:
* [[Leviticus 11:42]]: "Whatever goes on the belly (גָּחוֹן), and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet among all the swarming things that swarm on the earth, you shall not eat; for they are detestable."
In this context, gâchôwn describes a specific mode of locomotion: crawling on one's underside. The verse is part of the detailed dietary laws given to Israel, distinguishing clean from unclean animals. Creatures that move on their belly, such as snakes or certain insects, are explicitly categorized as "detestable" (שֶׁקֶץ, sheqets, `{{H8251}}`) and therefore forbidden for consumption. The physical characteristic of moving on the gâchôwn serves as a defining feature for ritual impurity, underscoring the meticulous nature of the Mosaic Law concerning holiness and separation.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **giyach (`{{H1518}}`):** As the probable root, this verb means "to burst forth," "to gush out," or "to bring forth." The connection to gâchôwn (`{{H1512}}`) implies that the "belly" is viewed as a place of emergence or origin, whether of life or movement.
* **giychown (`{{H1521}}`):** This is the proper name for the Gihon River, one of the four rivers flowing from Eden ([[Genesis 2:13]]). The river's name, derived from the same root giyach, reinforces the concept of "gushing forth" or "bursting out," aligning with the idea of origin and flow.
* **beten (`{{H990}}`):** This is a more common and general Hebrew word for "belly," "womb," or "inward parts." While beten can refer to the abdomen in a broader sense, including internal organs or the womb as a place of gestation, gâchôwn (`{{H1512}}`) specifically denotes the *external* underside, particularly as it relates to locomotion. The distinction is crucial for understanding the precise anatomical and functional meaning of gâchôwn in [[Leviticus 11:42]].
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of gâchôwn (`{{H1512}}`) in [[Leviticus 11:42]] places it squarely within the theological framework of ritual purity and holiness in ancient Israel.
1. **Divine Order and Purity:** The classification of animals that move on their gâchôwn as "detestable" reflects God's precise ordering of creation and His establishment of boundaries for His covenant people. These dietary laws were not arbitrary but served to distinguish Israel from surrounding nations, cultivating a sense of holiness and separation unto the Lord. The physical characteristic of moving on the belly becomes a marker within God's divinely ordained taxonomy of clean and unclean.
2. **Symbolism of Judgment:** While [[Leviticus 11:42]] does not explicitly mention the serpent, the phrase "whatever goes on the belly" inevitably evokes the curse pronounced upon the serpent in [[Genesis 3:14]]: "On your belly you shall go." Although a different Hebrew word (beten, `{{H990}}`) is used in Genesis, the *mode of locomotion* described by gâchôwn (`{{H1512}}`) in Leviticus carries a similar symbolic weight of defilement and judgment. The act of crawling on the belly, a sign of humiliation and degradation for the serpent, is codified in Leviticus as a characteristic of impurity for all "swarming things."
3. **Holiness as Distinction:** The dietary laws, including the prohibition against eating creatures that move on their gâchôwn, were a pedagogical tool to impress upon Israel the importance of living a life set apart for God. The physical distinctions in creation served as tangible reminders of the spiritual distinctions God required of His people, guiding them toward a life of holiness that reflected His own character.
### Summary
The Hebrew word gâchôwn (`{{H1512}}`) precisely defines the "external abdomen" or "belly," particularly in the context of locomotion or as a point of emergence. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Leviticus 11:42]] is pivotal, designating creatures that "go on the belly" as ritually detestable. This classification is integral to the Levitical laws of purity, which served to establish Israel's distinct identity as a holy nation. Etymologically linked to giyach (`{{H1518}}`, "to burst forth") and conceptually to the Gihon River (`{{H1521}}`), gâchôwn carries an implicit connection to origins and the physical underside. While distinct from the more general beten (`{{H990}}`), gâchôwn specifically describes the surface used for crawling, thereby functioning as a marker within God's divinely ordered categories of clean and unclean. Its usage underscores the theological significance of physical characteristics in defining ritual purity and subtly resonates with the symbolism of the serpent's curse, marking a mode of existence associated with impurity and judgment in the divine order.
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