גֹּ֫מֶד (go.med)
go.med
short cubit
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun gomed refers to a specific unit of length, defined as a short cubit or half-cubit. This measure sits between a standard cubit and a span, representing approximately nine inches or twenty centimeters. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Judges 3:18.
The context is strikingly concrete: Ehud uses this measurement to describe the length of his double-edged sword. The text notes that the blade extended three spans, which equals two gomeds, into the scabbard. This precise detail highlights the weapon’s substantial size and ensures the reader visualizes how it remained hidden against Ehud’s thigh.
Etymologically, the word likely derives from the elbow to the knuckles of a clenched hand, distinguishing it from longer cubit measures. While most biblical measurements use standard cubits for buildings or altars, this shorter unit appears in military contexts, emphasizing practical, personal scale rather than monumental construction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gomed appears only once in Scripture, tucked into the narrative of Judges 3:18. It describes a short cubit, roughly half the length of a standard cubit. Ehud used this precise measurement to detail the size of his sword, ensuring it fit perfectly into its scabbard while remaining hidden against his thigh.
This single occurrence reminds us that God cares about the concrete details of our lives. Just as the text specifies the exact length of a weapon for a specific mission, God knows the particular tools and circumstances He has placed in your hands. You do not need grand or obvious solutions; sometimes, a small, hidden preparation is exactly what is needed.
Trust that the Lord sees the specifics of your situation. Whether your challenges feel large or small, He equips you with what is necessary for the task at hand. His guidance is precise, and His provision is sufficient for every moment.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] a cubit1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גֹּ֣מֶד1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 3:16
Ehud made himself a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length; and he wore it under his clothing on his right thigh.
This verse introduces the sword that Ehud later measures using the gomed in verse 18, establishing the object's physical dimensions before its use.