feminine of גְּמוּל; meaning the same; deed, recompense, such a reward.
Transliteration:gᵉmûwlâh
Pronunciation:ghem-oo-law'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun gᵉmûwlâh (`{{H1578}}`) is derived from the root גמל (gamal), which carries the core semantic range of "to deal out," "to ripen," "to wean," and crucially, "to recompense" or "to requite." As a feminine noun, gᵉmûwlâh specifically denotes "recompense," "retribution," or "a deed" that elicits such a return. It implies a just and deserved outcome for actions, whether positive or negative, though its biblical occurrences predominantly lean towards the latter, signifying divine retribution or punishment. The term highlights the principle of proportional return, emphasizing that actions have corresponding consequences.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word gᵉmûwlâh (`{{H1578}}`) appears seven times in the Old Testament, primarily within prophetic books, consistently in contexts of divine judgment and retribution.
* In [[Isaiah 34:8]], it describes "the day of the LORD's vengeance, the year of recompense for the controversy of Zion." Here, gᵉmûwlâh explicitly refers to the punitive return God will exact upon Edom for their hostility towards His people.
* [[Isaiah 59:18]] states, "According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render recompense." This verse reiterates God's commitment to delivering a just gᵉmûwlâh to those who oppose Him, emphasizing a direct correlation between actions and divine response.
* Similarly, [[Isaiah 66:6]] proclaims, "A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple! The voice of the LORD, rendering recompense to his enemies!" This portrays God actively dispensing gᵉmûwlâh from His holy dwelling, underscoring His sovereign authority in judgment.
* In [[Jeremiah 51:6]], the call to "Flee from the midst of Babylon... for this is the time of the LORD's vengeance, the recompense he is rendering to her." Here, gᵉmûwlâh is the specific divine punishment meted out to Babylon for its wickedness and oppression.
* [[Jeremiah 51:56]] reinforces this, declaring, "For a destroyer has come upon her, upon Babylon... for the LORD is a God of recompense; he will surely repay." This verse characterizes Yahweh as El Gemulot, the God of recompense, whose nature guarantees a just return.
* [[Joel 3:4]] (also 4:4 in some translations) presents a challenge: "What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you paying me back? If you are paying me back, I will swiftly return your recompense upon your own head." This rhetorical question highlights the futility of human attempts to harm God's people, as He will quickly reverse the gᵉmûwlâh back upon the perpetrators.
* Finally, [[Obadiah 1:15]] declares, "For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return on your own head." Here, gᵉmûwlâh encapsulates the principle of *lex talionis* – a direct, proportional return of one's actions upon oneself, specifically directed at Edom.
Across all occurrences, gᵉmûwlâh consistently denotes a divine, often punitive, recompense for actions, emphasizing God's role as the ultimate dispenser of justice.
### Related Words & Concepts
gᵉmûwlâh (`{{H1578}}`) is closely related to other terms from the same root גמל (gamal):
* gāmal (`{{H1580}}`): The verbal form, meaning "to deal out," "to recompense," "to requite." This verb underlies the noun's meaning, signifying the *act* of giving back in kind.
* gᵉmûl (`{{H1576}}`): The masculine form of the noun, often used interchangeably with gᵉmûwlâh, also meaning "recompense," "reward," or "retribution." The slight distinction often lies in gᵉmûlâh emphasizing the *outcome* or *act* of recompense, whereas gᵉmûl can sometimes refer to the *deed* that warrants recompense.
* Related concepts include divine justice (מִשְׁפָּט, `{{H4941}}`), righteousness (צֶדֶק, `{{H6664}}`), vengeance (נָקָם, `{{H5359}}`), and the broader theological principle of retribution or reward for actions. It stands in contrast to concepts of unmerited favor or grace, though it does not negate them, but rather underscores the foundational order of God's moral universe.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of gᵉmûwlâh (`{{H1578}}`) is profound, revealing key aspects of God's character and His interaction with humanity. Primarily, it underscores the absolute justice of God. He is portrayed as a righteous judge who actively observes and responds to the deeds of individuals and nations. This is not an arbitrary or capricious act, but a just and deserved return, ensuring that righteousness is ultimately upheld and wickedness is duly addressed.
The consistent use of gᵉmûwlâh in contexts of divine retribution serves as a powerful warning against rebellion and sin, particularly against God's people. It affirms that no act of injustice or hostility against God or His chosen will go unpunished. This provides both a deterrent to evildoers and a source of comfort and assurance for the faithful who suffer at the hands of oppressors.
Furthermore, the concept of gᵉmûwlâh highlights God's sovereignty over history and human affairs. He is not a distant deity but one who actively intervenes to bring about His purposes, which include the meting out of just consequences. It reinforces the biblical principle that actions have consequences, and that ultimately, all will stand accountable before a God who "will surely repay" (cf. [[Jeremiah 51:56]]).
### Summary
gᵉmûwlâh (`{{H1578}}`) is a powerful Hebrew noun signifying "recompense," "retribution," or "a deserved return" for actions. Primarily occurring in prophetic literature, it consistently describes the divine justice of God, particularly His punitive response to the wickedness and opposition of nations and individuals. Closely related to the root גמל and the masculine noun gᵉmûl (`{{H1576}}`), gᵉmûwlâh emphasizes the direct and proportional consequences of deeds. Theologically, it profoundly underscores God's character as a righteous and sovereign judge who ensures that justice prevails, providing both a solemn warning to the defiant and a steadfast assurance to the faithful that no action, good or evil, will ultimately go unaddressed in His divine economy.
TRV