גְּשֵׁם (ge.shem)
ge.shem
body
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun geshem refers simply to a physical body. It appears only four times in the Old Testament, with three occurrences concentrated in the book of Daniel. In these passages, it denotes the tangible, material substance of a person or creature, distinct from spirit or soul.
While the word is straightforward, its context in Daniel carries significant weight. The text uses geshem to describe the physical form that remains after death or is preserved through divine intervention. For instance, when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into the fiery furnace, the king notes that a fourth figure looks like "a son of the gods," implying a preservation of their bodily integrity despite the extreme heat.
Translators typically render geshem as "body" or "flesh." This usage highlights the biblical view of humans as embodied beings. The word does not carry negative connotations of sin but rather serves as a neutral term for physical existence. It reminds readers that faith involves the whole person, including the material aspect of life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word geshem refers simply to the physical body. It appears only four times in the Old Testament, mostly in Daniel. In these passages, it describes the tangible, material substance of a person, distinct from spirit or soul. This usage highlights the biblical view that humans are embodied beings, not just spirits trapped in flesh.
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace, the king saw that the fire had no power on their bodies (Daniel 3:27). This moment shows that God cares about our physical existence. Faith involves the whole person, including the material aspect of life. The word does not carry negative connotations but serves as a neutral term for physical being.
This perspective reminds us that our bodies are part of God's creation and worthy of respect. Whether in times of trial or daily routine, we can trust that God sees and values our entire being. He is present with us in every aspect of our lives, offering peace and preservation even when circumstances seem overwhelming.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- over/ body/ their1×
- body/ their1×
- body/ its1×
- body/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גִּשְׁמַ֔/הּ1×
- גִּשְׁמֵ֣/הּ1×
- גֶשְׁמְ/ה֗וֹן1×
- בְּ/גֶשְׁמְ/ה֗וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 3:27
The local governors, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies. The hair of their head wasn’t singed. Their pants weren’t changed. The smell of fire wasn’t even on them.
This verse demonstrates divine preservation of physical integrity, as the fire had no power on their bodies despite the extreme heat.
-
Daniel 3:28
Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god except their own God.
Nebuchadnezzar praises God for delivering servants who yielded their bodies, showing that physical surrender is an act of trust in God.
-
Daniel 5:21
He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.
This passage contrasts the king's humbled body with his spiritual realization, illustrating how physical state can reflect spiritual condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does geshem mean in the Bible?
Why is geshem important for understanding human nature?
How does geshem relate to faith in difficult times?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 4 verses
The local governors, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these…
Daniel 3:28Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and…
Daniel 5:21He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild…
Daniel 7:11“I watched at that time because of the voice of the arrogant words which the horn spoke. I watched even until the…