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גַּם (gam)

gam

also

H1571 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 592 verses

H:Conj

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
592 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:Conj

Word Overview

The Hebrew adverb gam functions as a versatile tool for addition and emphasis, most commonly translated as "also" or "even." Its core sense involves gathering elements together, which allows it to link words or clauses with a sense of accumulation. In narrative texts like Genesis, it frequently appears to add detail or heighten the significance of an action, such as when God promises to accompany Abraham in Genesis 46:4.

Its range extends beyond simple addition into areas of stress and contrast. It can intensify a statement for emphasis, as seen in Genesis 20:5 where Abimelech insists on his innocence, or introduce a climactic point. In poetic and prophetic literature, including Jeremiah, it often carries an adversative force, meaning "yet" or "though," highlighting a surprising turn of events or a stubborn reality despite circumstances.

Translators must carefully discern the context to choose between "also," "even," or "yet." The word’s flexibility allows it to bridge logical connections that English might handle with separate conjunctions. This adaptability makes it a frequent and essential component in Hebrew storytelling, enabling writers to weave complex layers of meaning into concise phrases.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word gam adds weight to what is already true. It does not introduce something entirely new but deepens our attention to a reality God has already spoken. When Scripture says God will also judge, or that He will also bless, the emphasis rests on the certainty and completeness of His action.

In Genesis 20:6, Abimelech acted with integrity, yet God adds that He also withheld him from sinning. This shows that human faithfulness meets divine protection. We are not left to manage our own righteousness alone; God’s grace surrounds our efforts with care.

This word reminds us that God’s promises accumulate rather than diminish. When He says He will also provide, it means His provision is thorough and reliable. You can rest in the knowledge that His word carries full weight, covering every detail of your life.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 592 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • also369×
  • and/ also212×
  • both36×
  • as well as36×
  • nor12×
  • neither9×
  • ¿/ also7×
  • that/ also3×
  • <and>/ as well as3×
  • in/ that/ also1×
  • and/ [are] both1×
  • and/ [are] also1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • גַּם\־277×
  • וְ/גַם\־96×
  • גַם\־58×
  • גַּ֣ם36×
  • וְ/גַם֙18×
  • וְ/גַ֣ם16×
  • גַּ֤ם15×
  • וְ/גַ֨ם13×
  • גַּ֥ם13×
  • גַּ֚ם13×
  • וְ/גַ֖ם12×
  • וְ֠/גַם9×

Key Verses

  • Genesis 20:6
    God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her.

    The word emphasizes God's active intervention to protect Abimelech from sin despite his own integrity.

  • Genesis 15:14
    I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth;

    It extends the promise of deliverance to include the necessary judgment against the oppressing nation.

  • Genesis 21:13
    I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.”

    It confirms that God’s covenant faithfulness extends beyond Isaac to include Ishmael as well.

  • Genesis 3:22
    Yahweh God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—”

    It highlights the additional consequence of eating from the tree of life, underscoring the seriousness of human knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word gam mean?

Gam is an adverb that primarily means 'also,' 'even,' or 'yet.' It functions to add emphasis or inclusion to a statement, often highlighting that something applies in addition to what was previously mentioned.

How is gam different from the simple word for 'and'?

While 'and' simply connects items, gam adds weight or surprise. It can imply 'not only this but also that,' or emphasize a point with a sense of 'even' in unexpected circumstances.

Where does gam appear most often?

It appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, including over 500 times in the Pentateuch. You will find it in narrative accounts like Genesis and in prophetic books like Jeremiah where it often signals a turning point.

Every Occurrence (592 verses across 35 books)

Genesis 72 verses
Genesis 3:6

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be…

Genesis 3:22

Yahweh God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand,…

Genesis 4:4

Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering,

Genesis 4:22

Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister…

Genesis 4:26

A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on Yahweh’s name.

Genesis 6:3

Yahweh said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred…

Genesis 6:4

The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had…

Genesis 7:3

Also of the birds of the sky, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive on the surface of all the earth.

Genesis 10:21

Children were also born to Shem (the elder brother of Japheth), the father of all the children of Eber.

Genesis 13:5

Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, herds, and tents.

Genesis 13:16

I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your…

Genesis 14:7

They returned, and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and struck all the country of the Amalekites, and also the…

Genesis 14:16

He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other…

Genesis 15:14

I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth;

Genesis 16:13

She called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees,” for she said, “Have I even stayed alive after…

Genesis 17:16

I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of…

Genesis 19:21

He said to him, “Behold, I have granted your request concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow the city of…

Genesis 19:34

It came to pass on the next day, that the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father.…

Genesis 19:35

They made their father drink wine that night also. The younger went and lay with him. He didn’t know when she lay down,…

Genesis 19:38

The younger also bore a son, and called his name Ben Ammi. He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.

Genesis 20:4

Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?

Genesis 20:5

Didn’t he tell me, ‘She is my sister’? She, even she herself, said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the…

Genesis 20:6

God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld…

Genesis 20:12

Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

Genesis 21:13

I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.”

Genesis 21:26

Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this thing. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear of it until today.”

Genesis 22:20

After these things, Abraham was told, “Behold, Milcah, she also has borne children to your brother Nahor:

Genesis 22:24

His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.

Genesis 24:14

Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says,…

Genesis 24:19

When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have finished…

Genesis 24:25

She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”

Genesis 24:44

then she tells me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom Yahweh has appointed for my…

Genesis 24:46

She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So…

Genesis 26:21

They dug another well, and they argued over that, also. So he called its name Sitnah.

Genesis 27:31

He also made savory food, and brought it to his father. He said to his father, “Let my father arise, and eat of his…

Genesis 27:33

Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who, then, is he who has taken venison, and brought it to me, and I have eaten of…

Genesis 27:34

When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father,…

Genesis 27:38

Esau said to his father, “Do you have just one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, my father.” Esau lifted up…

Genesis 27:45

until your brother’s anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send, and get you…

Genesis 29:27

Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me for…

Genesis 29:30

He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him seven more years.

Genesis 29:33

She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me…

Genesis 30:3

She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.”

Genesis 30:6

Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name…

Genesis 30:8

Rachel said, “I have wrestled with my sister with mighty wrestlings, and have prevailed.” She named him Naphtali.

Genesis 30:15

Leah said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes,…

Genesis 30:30

For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. Yahweh has blessed you wherever I…

Genesis 31:15

Aren’t we considered as foreigners by him? For he has sold us, and has also used up our money.

Genesis 33:7

Leah also and her children came near, and bowed themselves. After them, Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed…

Genesis 35:17

When she was in hard labor, the midwife said to her, “Don’t be afraid, for now you will have another son.”

Genesis 37:7

for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your…

Genesis 38:10

The thing which he did was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and he killed him also.

Genesis 38:11

Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown…

Genesis 38:22

He returned to Judah, and said, “I haven’t found her; and also the men of the place said, ‘There has been no prostitute…

Genesis 38:24

About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold,…

Genesis 40:15

For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me…

Genesis 42:22

Reuben answered them, saying, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘Don’t sin against the child,’ and you wouldn’t listen?…

Genesis 42:28

He said to his brothers, “My money is restored! Behold, it is in my sack!” Their hearts failed them, and they turned…

Genesis 43:8

Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the boy with me, and we’ll get up and go, so that we may live, and not die,…

Genesis 44:9

With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”

Genesis 44:10

He said, “Now also let it be according to your words. He with whom it is found will be my slave; and you will be…

Genesis 44:16

Judah said, “What will we tell my lord? What will we speak? How will we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity…

Genesis 44:29

If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.’

Genesis 46:4

I will go down with you into Egypt. I will also surely bring you up again. Joseph’s hand will close your eyes.”

Genesis 46:34

that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our…

Genesis 47:3

Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” They said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we,…

Genesis 47:19

Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be…

Genesis 48:11

Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.”

Genesis 48:19

His father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great.…

Genesis 50:9

Both chariots and horsemen went up with him. It was a very great company.

Genesis 50:18

His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

Genesis 50:23

Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on…

Exodus 29 verses
Leviticus 3 verses
Numbers 17 verses
Deuteronomy 16 verses
Joshua 8 verses
Judges 21 verses
Ruth 8 verses
I Samuel 44 verses
II Samuel 33 verses
I Kings 25 verses
II Kings 16 verses
I Chronicles 10 verses
II Chronicles 32 verses
Ezra 1 verse
Nehemiah 15 verses
Esther 8 verses
Job 21 verses
Psalms 21 verses
Proverbs 23 verses
Ecclesiastes 43 verses
Song of Solomon 1 verse
Isaiah 29 verses
Jeremiah 47 verses
Lamentations 6 verses
Daniel 2 verses
Hosea 11 verses
Joel 5 verses
Amos 3 verses
Obadiah 2 verses
Micah 1 verse
Habakkuk 1 verse
Zephaniah 3 verses
Zechariah 11 verses
Malachi 4 verses