### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **gâmâʼ**, represented by `{{H1572}}`, is a primitive root defined as to absorb, **swallow**, or **drink**. It appears only **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible, used to describe both a literal act of consumption and a figurative expression of immense speed.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The two uses of `{{H1572}}` provide a sharp contrast in context. In Genesis, the word denotes a simple, physical act. Abraham's servant{H5650} runs{H7323} to meet Rebekah and says, "Let me, I pray thee, **drink** a little{H4592} water{H4325} of thy pitcher{H3537}" [[Genesis 24:17]]. Here, the word signifies satisfying a basic thirst. In Job, the term is used poetically to describe the raw power of a war horse, stating that "He **swalloweth** the ground{H776} with fierceness and rage" [[Job 39:24]], creating a vivid metaphor for consuming distance in its eagerness for battle.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help frame the context of **gâmâʼ**:
* `{{H4325}}` **mayim** (water): The substance being absorbed in the Genesis narrative. The term is defined as **water**, often used to signify life and sustenance [[Genesis 24:17]].
* `{{H3537}}` **kad** (pitcher): The vessel from which the water is offered. This word refers to an earthenware **jar for domestic purposes**, highlighting the domestic and hospitable setting of the request [[Genesis 24:17]].
* `{{H776}}` **ʼerets** (ground): The object being figuratively swallowed in the Job passage. This word means **the earth** or **land**, and its use with **gâmâʼ** emphasizes the horse's incredible speed and power [[Job 39:24]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H1572}}` is found in its flexibility to convey both simple need and overwhelming force.
* **An Act of Humble Need:** In Genesis, the request to **drink** is a humble and essential act. It serves as the pivotal test in the servant's search for a wife for Isaac, linking a basic physical need to a moment of divine providence [[Genesis 24:17]].
* **A Metaphor for Impatient Power:** In Job, the word elevates from the literal to the figurative. To **swallow** the ground is to express unstoppable momentum and an untamable, fierce spirit, a key part of God's discourse on the power of His creation [[Job 39:24]].
### Summary
In summary, though rare, `{{H1572}}` **gâmâʼ** demonstrates significant semantic range. It captures both the simple, life-sustaining act of drinking water from a pitcher and the poetic, powerful image of a war horse devouring the earth in its haste. Its two appearances showcase how a single Hebrew root can be applied to vastly different scales of action, from a quiet request to a description of awesome might.
TRV