גַּ֫חַם (ga.cham)
ga.cham
Gaham
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Gaham, or gacham, appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Genesis 22:24. It identifies a son of Nahor and his concubine Reumah, making him a half-brother to Bethuel, the father of Rebekah. This brief mention places him within the extended family tree of Abraham, linking the patriarch’s lineage to those who remained in Mesopotamia rather than following Isaac into Canaan.
Linguists often derive the name from a root meaning "to burn" or "flame," suggesting a meaning like "burning" or "hot." While this etymology is plausible, the name itself carries no narrative weight in the text. It serves purely as a genealogical marker, distinguishing one branch of Nahor’s descendants from another without offering insight into their character or actions.
Its solitary occurrence highlights how biblical genealogies often preserve names that might otherwise be lost to history. Gaham remains a footnote in the story of Israel’s origins, reminding readers that Abraham’s family network was large and complex, with many members who did not play central roles in the unfolding covenant narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Genesis 22:24 lists Gaham among the children of Nahor’s concubine Reumah. This brief mention places him as a half-brother to Bethuel, the father of Rebekah. The name likely means "burning" or "hot," though the text offers no further details about his life or character.
Such names remind us that Abraham’s family was large and complex. Many members lived in Mesopotamia while Isaac moved to Canaan. These genealogical records preserve identities that might otherwise be forgotten, showing God’s care for every branch of His people.
Even those not named in major stories are part of God’s unfolding plan. We can trust that He knows and remembers each person, whether they appear prominently or only in a passing list. This brings comfort to our own sense of significance in His eyes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Gaham1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גַּ֔חַם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 22:24
His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.
This verse identifies Gaham as one of the sons born to Nahor’s concubine Reumah, establishing his place in the extended family tree.