גֶּשֶׁם
𐤂𐤔𐤌
Geshem
H1654 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Geshem (or Gashmu) is a personal name referring specifically to an individual of Arabian origin, known from the biblical narrative as an opponent of Nehemiah. The name itself functions as a proper noun and does not carry a broader lexical meaning within the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
personal name (Arabian leader, adversary of Nehemiah); variant Gashmu; unrelated to common noun 'rain' except by formal spelling
Root / Etymology
The name Geshem (גֶּשֶׁם) is formally identical to the common Hebrew noun for "rain" (from the root ג-ש-ם, meaning 'to rain'), but in the context of the personal name, the etymology is uncertain as personal names in the region often included elements relating to weather, deities, or natural phenomena or were borrowed from other Northwest Semitic or Arabic traditions. There is no explicit evidence that the personal name is directly connected to the Hebrew word for rain in terms of semantic intent.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Geshem is mentioned in the book of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:19; 6:1, 6), where he is described as an Arabian ally in opposition to Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls during the Persian period. The name also appears as Gashmu (גַּשְׁמוּ), regarded as a variant or dialectal form. In the biblical narrative, Geshem is always an external figure acting in concert with Sanballat and Tobiah. In English versions, 'Geshem the Arabian' appears; some later rabbinic and translation traditions use forms akin to "Geshem" or "Gashmu" without alteration. There are extra-biblical references to similar names in Aramaic papyri and South Arabian inscriptions from the Persian and early Hellenistic periods, suggesting the name reflects an Arabian or North Arabian linguistic background, but Hebrew itself does not preserve other uses. The word does not relate to Israelite, Judahite, or Judean ethnic categories, but refers specifically to a non-Israelite, non-Judahite historical figure of Arabian affiliation. "Jew" is not applicable to the biblical context of the term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (prolonged) גַּשְׁמוּ; the same as גֶּשֶׁם; Geshem or Gashmu, an Arabian; Geshem, Gashmu.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גשם (g-š-m) — to rain, fall as rain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1652 | גָּשַׁם | rain-causing ones |
| H1653 | גֶּשֶׁם | heavy rains |
| H1655 | גֶּשֶׁם | in their physical body |
| H1656 | גֹּשֶׁם | her downpour |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1654-03 |
וְ/גֶ֨שֶׁם֙ | vegeshem | HC/Np |
and Geshem | and heavy rain | 2 |
H1654-01 |
וּ/לְ/גֶ֨שֶׁם | ulegeshem | HC/R/Np |
and to Geshem | and to Geshem | 1 |
H1654-02 |
וְ/גַשְׁמ֣וּ | vegashemu | HC/Np |
and Gashmu | and Gashmu | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1654-03 |
Nehemiah 2:19 | וְ/גֶ֨שֶׁם֙ | vegeshem | HC/Np |
and Geshem | and heavy rain |
H1654-01 |
Nehemiah 6:1 | וּ/לְ/גֶ֨שֶׁם | ulegeshem | HC/R/Np |
and to Geshem | and to Geshem |
H1654-03 |
Nehemiah 6:2 | וְ/גֶ֨שֶׁם֙ | vegeshem | HC/Np |
and Geshem | and heavy rain |
H1654-02 |
Nehemiah 6:6 | וְ/גַשְׁמ֣וּ | vegashemu | HC/Np |
and Gashmu | and Gashmu |