גָּחוֹן (ga.chon)
ga.chon
belly
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun gachon refers specifically to the belly or underbelly of a creature, with a strong association to reptiles and crawling animals. In the biblical text, it appears only twice, both times in contexts describing unclean creatures that move along the ground (Leviticus 11:42; Genesis 3:14). The word evokes the physical reality of an animal’s underside as it crawls, emphasizing its proximity to the earth.
Its limited usage highlights a distinct category of movement and bodily form in ancient Israelite thought. Unlike general terms for stomach or abdomen, gachon carries a vivid, almost tactile image of the belly dragging along the soil. This concrete imagery reinforces the symbolic distinction between creatures that walk upright and those that crawl, a theme central to purity laws and the aftermath of human disobedience.
Translators typically render gachon as "belly" or "abdomen," though the context often clarifies its reptilian connotation. The word’s rarity makes each occurrence stand out, drawing attention to the physicality of the creatures described and the cultural significance attached to their mode of movement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gachon paints a vivid picture of creatures moving close to the ground, their bellies dragging along the soil. In Genesis 3:14, it describes the serpent’s curse after the fall, marking a shift from upright movement to crawling. This imagery highlights how sin altered creation, bringing shame and limitation to the creature that led humanity astray.
Leviticus 11:42 uses gachon again when listing unclean animals for Israel’s diet. The law distinguishes between creatures that walk upright or on paws and those that crawl on their bellies. This wasn’t just about hygiene but about reflecting God’s holiness in everyday life, reminding His people to live set apart.
For us today, this word reminds us of the consequences of rebellion and the call to purity. It invites reflection on how our choices affect our relationship with God and others. May we walk uprightly in faith, honoring God with our lives and choices.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- belly/ your1×
- belly1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גָּח֜וֹן1×
- גְּחֹנְ/ךָ֣1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:14
Yahweh God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. You shall go on your belly and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.
The word gachon describes the serpent’s cursed mode of movement, symbolizing humiliation and separation from God's original design.
-
Leviticus 11:42
Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet, even all creeping things that creep on the earth, them you shall not eat; for they are an abomination.
Here, gachon categorizes unclean animals, reinforcing Israel’s call to holiness through dietary distinctions.