תֹּגַרְמָה (to.gar.mah)
to.gar.mah
Togarmah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Togarmah appears in Scripture as both a person and a place, rooted in the family tree of Noah’s grandson Japheth through his son Gomer. Genesis 10 lists him as the brother of Ashkenaz and Riphath, marking him as an ancestor figure for a specific lineage. This genealogical record serves to map the known world of the ancient Near East, placing Togarmah among the nations that spread after the flood.
The name itself carries a meaning often interpreted as "thou wilt break her," though its precise etymology remains debated. Beyond the individual, the term also designates a territory, likely corresponding to the region historically known as Armenia or parts of eastern Anatolia. In later prophetic literature, such as Ezekiel 27:14 and 38:6, Togarmah represents a distant northern power involved in trade and conflict, reflecting its geographic significance rather than just its ancestral origin.
Though mentioned only twice in the historical books of Chronicles and Genesis, the word’s presence in prophetic texts highlights its enduring identity as a distinct region. The shift from personal name to geographical label illustrates how ancient tribal ancestors often became eponyms for their descendants’ lands, anchoring theological history in real-world geography.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Togarmah appears in the family records of Genesis and Chronicles as one of the sons of Gomer, a grandson of Noah. This genealogical list is not merely a dry register of names; it shows that every nation and people group has a defined place in God’s orderly creation. By tracing these lineages, Scripture affirms the dignity and identity of all peoples, reminding us that no culture is outside the scope of divine providence.
In later prophetic writings, this name shifts from an ancestor to a distant northern region, often associated with trade and military power. This evolution reflects how ancient tribal founders became symbols for entire territories. For the modern reader, it illustrates how God’s plans unfold across geography and history, using real places and peoples to achieve His purposes.
Understanding Togarmah helps us see the breadth of biblical history. It connects the post-flood world with the prophetic visions of Ezekiel, showing a consistent thread of divine sovereignty over all nations. We can find comfort in knowing that God knows every corner of the earth and every lineage within it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Togarmah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/תוֹגַרְמָֽה\׃1×
- וְ/תֹגַרְמָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:3
The sons of Gomer were: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.
This verse establishes Togarmah as a specific son of Gomer, anchoring his identity in the foundational genealogy of Noah’s family.
-
I Chronicles 1:6
The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.
The Chronicler repeats this lineage to confirm the historical continuity of Israel’s ancestors and the nations surrounding them.