from גָּמָא; properly, an absorbent, i.e. the bulrush (from its porosity); specifically the papyrus; (bul-) rush.
Transliteration:gômeʼ
Pronunciation:go'-meh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term gômeʼ (`{{H1573}}`) denotes a specific type of aquatic plant, most accurately identified as the bulrush or papyrus. Its etymological root is gāmāʼ (גָּמָא), meaning "to swallow" or "to absorb," which directly informs the plant's characteristic porosity and absorbency. This inherent quality makes it suitable for various practical applications, particularly where its fibrous nature and ability to be rendered waterproof are beneficial. Semantically, gômeʼ refers specifically to the large, sturdy reeds found in marshy areas, distinct from more generic terms for reeds or grasses. It encapsulates both the physical properties of the plant and its utility in ancient Near Eastern contexts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word gômeʼ (`{{H1573}}`) appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance offering significant contextual insight:
* **[[Exodus 2:3]]**: This is the most prominent occurrence, describing the "ark of bulrushes" (tēbhat gōmeʼ) crafted by Moses' mother, Jochebed, to save her infant son from Pharaoh's decree. The text specifies that it was daubed with bitumen and pitch, highlighting the plant's suitability for constructing a watertight vessel. This context underscores the material's availability in the Nile delta and its practical application in ancient craftsmanship for buoyancy and protection.
* **[[Isaiah 18:2]]**: Here, gômeʼ refers to "vessels of bulrushes" (kəlê gōmeʼ) dispatched by a nation beyond the rivers of Ethiopia. These vessels are described as "swift messengers," suggesting their use for rapid travel or communication across water. This reinforces the idea of gômeʼ as a material for lightweight, maneuverable watercraft.
* **[[Isaiah 35:7]]**: In this prophetic vision of eschatological restoration, it is declared that "in the habitation of jackals, where they lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes (gōmeʼ)." This passage depicts a miraculous transformation of barren, desolate land into a lush, fertile environment. The presence of gômeʼ here signifies abundant water and thriving vegetation, symbolizing divine provision and renewal.
In all contexts, gômeʼ is intrinsically linked to water environments, either growing within them or being fashioned into objects designed for use upon them. Its practical utility and its role as an indicator of fertile land are consistently emphasized.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of gômeʼ (`{{H1573}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship to other biblical terms and concepts:
* **Root gāmāʼ (גָּמָא)**: As noted, this root meaning "to swallow" or "to absorb" is the etymological foundation for gômeʼ, directly describing the plant's porous nature.
* **qaneh (קָנֶה, `{{H7070}}`)**: A more general term for "reed," often used for measuring rods, stalks, or even a branch. While gômeʼ is a type of reed, qaneh is broader and does not carry the same specific connotations of absorbency or material for vessel construction.
* **sûph (סוּף, `{{H5488}}`)**: Refers to "reeds" or "seaweed," famously associated with Yam Suph (the Red Sea). While also an aquatic plant, its primary association is geographical rather than material utility.
* **'āḥû (אָחוּ, `{{H260}}`)**: Denotes "reed-grass" or "marsh-grass," often linked with the Nile and its fertility, similar to gômeʼ in its association with lush, watery environments.
* **Ark (tēbāh, `{{H8392}}`)**: The term used for both Noah's ark and Moses' ark, highlighting a shared concept of a divinely appointed vessel of salvation. The material of Moses' ark (gômeʼ) contrasts with Noah's gōpher (gopher wood, `{{H1613}}`), yet both serve a similar redemptive purpose.
* **Divine Providence**: The use of gômeʼ in Moses' story connects to the broader biblical theme of God's miraculous preservation and intervention, often through seemingly humble means.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of gômeʼ (`{{H1573}}`) is most profoundly revealed in the narrative of Moses' infancy, though its prophetic usage also contributes to its meaning:
* **Instrument of Divine Preservation**: The "ark of bulrushes" in [[Exodus 2:3]] stands as a powerful symbol of God's meticulous providence. In a context of extreme danger and human desperation, this humble, natural material becomes the vessel through which the deliverer of Israel is preserved. It underscores God's ability to work through the ordinary and the seemingly insignificant to accomplish extraordinary redemptive purposes. The fragile ark, skillfully crafted by human hands in faith, becomes an extension of divine care, floating on the very waters intended by Pharaoh to be an instrument of death.
* **Hope Amidst Despair**: The use of gômeʼ to construct Moses' ark embodies a profound act of faith and hope in the face of overwhelming oppression. It represents the belief that God would intervene, turning a potential instrument of destruction (the Nile) into a pathway to salvation. This speaks to the enduring biblical theme that God provides a way of escape even when all human avenues seem closed.
* **Transformation and Restoration**: In [[Isaiah 35:7]], the presence of gômeʼ in a miraculously transformed landscape signifies God's power to bring life and flourishing out of desolation. This imagery contributes to the broader prophetic vision of a renewed creation and the abundance of God's grace in the Messianic age. It points to the ultimate restoration where barrenness gives way to fertility, symbolizing spiritual renewal and the overflowing provision of God's kingdom.
### Summary
The Hebrew word gômeʼ (`{{H1573}}`) designates the bulrush or papyrus, an absorbent and fibrous aquatic plant. Its etymology points to its porous nature, making it suitable for crafting durable, water-resistant objects. Biblically, gômeʼ is most famously associated with the ark that carried the infant Moses on the Nile ([[Exodus 2:3]]), serving as a tangible symbol of divine providence and preservation amidst peril. Its appearance in Isaiah's prophecies ([[Isaiah 18:2]], [[Isaiah 35:7]]) further links it to swift aquatic travel and, significantly, to the miraculous transformation of arid lands into lush, fertile environments. Thus, gômeʼ transcends its botanical definition to become a powerful emblem of God's meticulous care, His ability to use humble means for grand redemptive purposes, and His promise of abundant life and restoration.
TRV