גְּמוּלָה (ge.mu.lah)
ge.mu.lah
recompense
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun gemulah signifies a calculated response to action, typically translated as recompense or reward. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within prophetic literature where God’s justice is central. In Jeremiah 51:56 and Isaiah 34:8, the term describes the divine settlement of accounts, emphasizing that human conduct invites a corresponding outcome.
Its root relates to the idea of "doing" or "dealing," suggesting that this recompense is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of prior behavior. The word carries a weighty theological implication: God’s dealings with nations and individuals are measured and precise. Translators often render it as "retribution" or "reward," depending on whether the context highlights judgment or blessing, though the underlying concept remains one of just exchange.
This term underscores a fundamental biblical principle: actions have consequences. It is not merely about punishment but about the integrity of divine justice. The rarity of its usage in Scripture highlights its significance as a marker of God’s faithful response to human history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word gemulah describes a calculated response to action, often translated as recompense or reward. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within prophetic literature where God’s justice is central. In Jeremiah 51:56 and Isaiah 34:8, the term describes the divine settlement of accounts, emphasizing that human conduct invites a corresponding outcome.
This word carries a weighty theological implication: God’s dealings with nations and individuals are measured and precise. Translators often render it as retribution or reward, depending on whether the context highlights judgment or blessing, though the underlying concept remains one of just exchange. This term underscores a fundamental biblical principle: actions have consequences.
It is not merely about punishment but about the integrity of divine justice. The rarity of its usage in Scripture highlights its significance as a marker of God’s faithful response to human history. Trusting in this justice brings peace, knowing that every deed is seen and accounted for by a righteous Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- recompense<s>1×
- deeds1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גְּמֻלוֹת֙1×
- גְּמֻל֛וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 51:56
For the destroyer has come on her, even on Babylon. Her mighty men are taken. Their bows are broken in pieces, for Yahweh is a God of retribution. He will surely repay.
This verse explicitly links gemulah to Yahweh as a God of retribution, showing that divine justice is a settled character trait rather than an impulsive reaction.
-
Isaiah 59:18
According to their deeds, he will repay as appropriate: wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies. He will repay the islands their due.
Here the word illustrates how God repays adversaries according to their specific deeds, highlighting the precision of divine judgment against enemies.