a primitive root; to drag off roughly; by implication, to bring up the cud (i.e. ruminate); by analogy, to saw; catch, chew, [idiom] continuing, destroy, saw.
Transliteration:gârar
Pronunciation:gaw-rar'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H1641 (גָּרַר, *gârar*) is a primitive verb whose core semantic range revolves around the concept of forceful movement, often involving friction or repetition. Its primary meaning is "to drag off roughly" or "to pull." From this foundational sense, several extensions and analogous meanings emerge:
1. **Physical Dragging/Removal:** The most direct application, signifying the forceful pulling or driving away of something.
2. **Ruminating (Chewing the Cud):** This specific biological process is understood as "bringing up" or "dragging up" food from the stomach to be re-chewed. This is a specialized, internal "dragging" action.
3. **Sawing:** By analogy, the back-and-forth, friction-based motion of a saw is captured by this root. This implies a cutting or abrasive action.
4. **Figurative Extensions:** The rough, persistent, or cutting nature implied by "dragging" or "sawing" can extend to concepts like "to destroy" (by dragging away/cutting off), "to catch" (by dragging in), or even idiomatically "to continue" (as in dragging on).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H1641 in the Hebrew Bible illustrate its diverse applications:
* **[[Genesis 15:11]]**: In this pivotal narrative of God's covenant with Abram, the verb appears in the Hiphil stem, *wayyaggēr*, meaning "he drove them away." When birds of prey descended upon Abram's prepared sacrifices, he actively "dragged them off" or "drove them away" to protect the sanctity of the offering. This highlights the active, forceful removal implied by the root.
* **[[Leviticus 11:7]] and [[Deuteronomy 14:8]]**: Here, H1641 is used in the Qal stem in reference to animals that "chew the cud" (וְהוּא גֵּרָה לֹא יִגָּר). This is a crucial characteristic for distinguishing clean from unclean animals according to the Mosaic dietary laws. The act of "chewing the cud" (literally "bringing up the cud") is a specific biological process of regurgitation and re-mastication, a direct application of the "dragging up" sense.
* **[[Psalm 22:7]] (or [[Psalm 22:6]] in some translations)**: The verb appears in the Hiphil as *yagrîmû*, often translated as "they shoot out the lip" or "they make a wide mouth" in scorn. While interpretations vary, this usage likely draws on the "sawing" or "cutting" aspect of the root, depicting a violent, mocking gesture with the mouth or lips, as if "cutting" or "sawing" the air with them in derision. This vividly portrays the intense humiliation faced by the suffering one.
These contexts demonstrate the root's capacity to describe both literal physical actions (driving away, ruminating) and more metaphorical or idiomatic expressions of forceful interaction (mockery).
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H1641 connects it to several other Hebrew terms:
* **H1640 (גֵּרָה, *gêrâh*):** This noun, meaning "cud," is a direct nominalization of the verb H1641 in its sense of "chewing the cud." It refers to the regurgitated food itself, underscoring the close relationship between the action and its object.
* **H1643 (גָּרוֹן, *gârôn*):** Meaning "throat," this noun might be etymologically related, potentially deriving from the "dragging" action of swallowing or the "rasping" sound that can emanate from the throat, akin to a sawing sound.
* **H1644 (גָּרַשׁ, *gârash*):** While a distinct root, H1644 ("to drive out, cast out") shares a conceptual overlap with H1641 in the sense of forceful removal or expulsion. Both verbs imply a decisive separation or displacement.
* **Concepts of Purity and Separation:** The use of H1641 in the context of dietary laws links it to broader biblical themes of ritual purity, distinction, and holiness, which are central to Israel's identity as a separated people.
### Theological Significance
The various applications of H1641 carry significant theological weight:
* **Holiness and Distinction in Dietary Laws:** The command regarding "chewing the cud" for clean animals in Leviticus and Deuteronomy is not merely an arbitrary biological observation. It serves as a divine marker of distinction, separating Israel from the surrounding nations and teaching them principles of holiness and obedience. The act of rumination, involving a repeated processing of food, can be seen as a metaphor for the careful, repeated meditation on God's word, distinguishing the "clean" from the "unclean" in spiritual terms.
* **Protection of the Sacred:** Abram's act of "driving away" the birds from his sacrifice in [[Genesis 15:11]] underscores the human responsibility to protect and preserve what is consecrated to God. It speaks to the diligence required to maintain the integrity of worship and covenant, reflecting God's own meticulous care for His promises.
* **The Depth of Suffering and Mockery:** In [[Psalm 22:7]], the vivid depiction of those who "shoot out the lip" (a "sawing" or "cutting" motion of scorn) portrays the profound psychological and emotional torment experienced by the suffering righteous, a prophetic foreshadowing of the Messiah's humiliation. This highlights the painful, destructive nature of human malice and the depth of suffering endured for righteousness' sake.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H1641 (גָּרַר, *gârar*) is a versatile verb with a core meaning of "to drag off roughly," extending to "to chew the cud" (by bringing up food) and "to saw" (by analogy of motion). Its biblical occurrences reveal its application in diverse contexts: Abram's forceful act of "driving away" birds from his sacrifice ([[Genesis 15:11]]), the crucial definition of "chewing the cud" for clean animals in the Mosaic dietary laws ([[Leviticus 11:7]], [[Deuteronomy 14:8]]), and the powerful imagery of mocking scorn in the Psalms ([[Psalm 22:7]]). Theologically, H1641 illuminates principles of holiness and distinction in God's commands, the human responsibility to guard the sacred, and the profound suffering inflicted by human cruelty. Its semantic range, from physical action to biological process and metaphorical expression, underscores the richness and precision of the Hebrew language in conveying complex ideas.
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