γόμος

gómos

G1117 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A load or heap, generally referring to what fills or occupies a space, especially the cargo carried by a ship or other transport vehicle. In extended usage, it may denote merchandise, wares, or freight being transported. The primary sense is that of 'that which fills,' with contextual applications to shipping, trade, and transport.

Semantic Range

load, cargo, freight, merchandise, wares, burden

Root / Etymology

From the root γέμω (gemo, 'to be full, fill'), with the suffix -ος forming a noun denoting the thing filled or a filling. The noun points to the result or object of filling—thus, a load or cargo.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, γόμος frequently referred to cargo loaded onto ships, carts, or animals, emphasizing the idea of a full load. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the word appears in contexts associated with maritime transport, particularly shipping, where it aligns closely with 'cargo' rather than a generic 'burden.' The term is less abstract than φορτίον (phortion, 'burden') or βάρος (baros, 'weight/burden') and generally implies a commercial or logistical function (goods intended for transport or trade). Standard English translations as 'burden' sometimes obscure this specific sense; 'cargo' or 'freight' better reflect its primary reference in Koine usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from γέμω; a load (as filling), i.e. (specially) a cargo, or (by extension) wares:--burden, merchandise.

Root Family

γέμ- (gómos) — to fill, to be full

Root γέμ- to fill, to be full

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1117-01 γόμον gomon N ACC M SG cargo a load cargo 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1117-01 Acts 21:3 γόμον gomon N ACC M SG cargo a load cargo
G1117-01 Revelation 18:11 γόμον gomon N ACC M SG cargo a load cargo
G1117-01 Revelation 18:12 γόμον gomon N ACC M SG merchandise a load a load