a primitive root; to end (in the sense of completion or failure); cease, come to an end, fail, perfect, perform.
Transliteration:gâmar
Pronunciation:gaw-mar'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root גָּמַר (gâmar, `{{H1584}}`) is a primitive verb carrying the fundamental meaning of "to end." This core concept branches into a dual semantic range, encompassing both the positive sense of completion, perfection, or successful performance, and the negative sense of cessation, failure, or coming to an end. It implies a process reaching its culmination, whether that culmination is a desired outcome or an unfortunate termination. When something "gâmar," it has reached its final state, either being brought to fruition or having run its course and ceased to exist or function.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Occurrences of גָּמַר (gâmar, `{{H1584}}`) are primarily found in the Psalms, offering rich insight into its nuanced application:
* **Positive Completion/Perfection:**
* In [[Psalm 57:2]], the psalmist declares, "I will cry unto God Most High, unto God that performeth all things for me." Here, "performeth" (גָּמַר) speaks of God's active and perfect completion of His purposes for the psalmist. It signifies divine faithfulness and the bringing to fruition of God's will.
* Similarly, [[Psalm 138:8]] proclaims, "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands." The verb "perfect" (גָּמַר) again highlights God's unwavering commitment and ability to bring to a flawless conclusion His plans and promises for His people. This usage underscores divine sovereignty and the steadfastness of God's covenant love.
* **Negative Cessation/Failure:**
* [[Psalm 7:9]] contains a plea: "Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins." Here, "come to an end" (גָּמַר) expresses a fervent desire for the complete cessation and termination of evil, implying a divine judgment that brings wickedness to naught.
* In [[Psalm 12:1]], the psalmist laments, "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men." The term "ceaseth" (גָּמַר) here denotes the disappearance or failure of the righteous, reflecting a sense of loss and spiritual decline within the community.
* [[Psalm 77:8]] poses a rhetorical question of doubt: "Is his mercy clean gone forever? doth his promise fail for evermore?" "Fail" (גָּמַר) in this context refers to the potential, yet ultimately impossible, cessation or failure of God's steadfast love and promises. The very question implies the answer: God's mercy and promise do not fail.
These contexts reveal that while the core meaning is "to end," the specific nuance is heavily dependent on the subject and object of the verb, particularly whether it refers to divine action or human/wicked states.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of completion and termination in Hebrew includes several related terms that share conceptual overlap but possess distinct nuances:
* **`{{H3615}}` (כָּלָה, kâlâh):** "to complete, finish, consume, bring to an end." This word often emphasizes the finality of an action or the consumption of a resource. While similar to *gâmar* in "completion," *kâlâh* might focus more on the exhaustion or end of a process, whereas *gâmar* can highlight the perfection of an outcome.
* **`{{H8552}}` (תָּמַם, tâmam):** "to be complete, finished, perfect, sound, innocent." This verb is very close to *gâmar* in its positive sense of perfection and integrity, often implying wholeness or blamelessness. *Tâmam* frequently describes a state of moral or ritual completeness.
* **`{{H6213}}` (עָשָׂה, ‘âsâh):** "to do, make, accomplish, perform." This is a broader term for action and accomplishment, but it can certainly encompass the idea of bringing something to completion or fruition.
* **`{{H3634}}` (כָּלִיל, kâlîl):** An adjective meaning "whole, complete, entire, perfect," often used in the context of offerings (e.g., "whole burnt offering"). It speaks to the state of being fully brought to completion.
The distinctiveness of *gâmar* lies in its capacity to express both the divine perfection of a work and the human or wicked failure/cessation, maintaining the core idea of a definitive end.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of גָּמַר (gâmar, `{{H1584}}`) is profound, primarily due to its application to both God and humanity/wickedness.
When applied to God, as in [[Psalm 57:2]] and [[Psalm 138:8]], *gâmar* serves as a powerful descriptor of divine faithfulness and omnipotence. It assures the believer that God is not only able but also committed to bringing His plans and promises to a perfect and unfailing completion. This speaks to the steadfastness of God's covenant love and His unwavering purpose. God "perfects" what concerns His people; He does not leave His work unfinished or flawed. This provides immense comfort and a foundation for trust in divine providence.
Conversely, when applied to human beings or the forces of evil ([[Psalm 7:9]], [[Psalm 12:1]]), *gâmar* highlights human transience, frailty, and the ultimate, divinely ordained end of wickedness. The prayer for evil to "come to an end" reflects a deep theological conviction that sin and injustice will not prevail eternally but will ultimately be brought to naught by God's righteous judgment. The lament over the righteous who "fail" underscores the vulnerability of humanity in a fallen world, yet implicitly points back to the need for God's sustaining power. The rhetorical question in [[Psalm 77:8]] powerfully contrasts the fleeting nature of human doubt with the eternal, unfailing nature of God's mercy and promise.
Thus, *gâmar* encapsulates the eschatological hope that evil will indeed "come to an end" and God's righteous purposes will be "perfected," providing a theological framework for understanding divine sovereignty over all of creation and history.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb גָּמַר (gâmar, `{{H1584}}`) is a versatile root meaning "to end," encompassing both the positive sense of completion and perfection, and the negative sense of cessation or failure. Its primary occurrences in the Psalms reveal a significant theological tension: while God is consistently depicted as One who "performs" or "perfects" His purposes with unfailing faithfulness ([[Psalm 57:2]], [[Psalm 138:8]]), humanity and wickedness are shown to "cease" or "fail" ([[Psalm 7:9]], [[Psalm 12:1]]). This dual usage underscores the absolute reliability of divine action in contrast to the transient and fallible nature of the created order. Ultimately, *gâmar* serves as a powerful affirmation of God's sovereign control, His commitment to bringing His plans to perfect fruition, and the ultimate, divinely appointed end of all things, good and evil alike.
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