Lexical Summary gachon: Belly, Abdomen Original Word: גָּחוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance belly Probably from giyach; the external abdomen, belly (as the source of the faetus (compare Giychown)) -- belly. see HEBREW giyach see HEBREW Giychown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition belly (of reptiles) NASB Translation belly (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs גָּחוֺן noun masculine belly, of reptiles (compare perhaps Assyrian gi—innu, cord (from twisting ?) ZimBP 104) — גְּחֹנְךָ Genesis 3:14 (J) of the serpent, compare גָּחוֺן Leviticus 11:42 (P). גחר (? compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Definition in Context Gachon denotes the underpart or belly, especially of creatures that move close to the ground. In Scripture it is applied to serpents and other creeping things whose mode of locomotion places their bodies in constant contact with the earth. Occurrences and Immediate Settings 1. Genesis 3:14 assigns gachon to the serpent as part of the divine curse: “On your belly you will go, and dust you will eat all the days of your life”. Symbolism of Humiliation and Judgment Going “on the belly” conveys radical humiliation. The serpent, once a subtle creature (Genesis 3:1), is forcibly lowered, illustrating the inevitable abasement that accompanies rebellion against God. Dust-eating imagery underscores perpetual defeat (cf. Isaiah 65:25). Thus gachon becomes a visual reminder of the curse that sin introduces into creation. Uncleanness and Separation Leviticus employs gachon in the holiness code to draw clear boundaries between Israel and surrounding nations. Creatures that glide upon their gachon were not merely physically repulsive; they epitomized uncleanness, reinforcing the call to moral and ceremonial distinctiveness (Leviticus 11:44-45). By refusing such animals, Israel testified that fellowship with the Holy One demands separation from what God declares unclean. Foreshadowing of Redemptive Conflict Immediately after the first appearance of gachon, Genesis 3:15 promises enmity between the serpent and the woman, culminating in the crushing of the serpent’s head. The humbled gachon anticipates the ultimate defeat of the adversary (Romans 16:20; Revelation 12:9). Thus the term is embedded in the earliest proclamation of the gospel, pointing forward to the victory secured in Jesus Christ. Creation Order and Eschatological Reversal Though the serpent is cursed to the ground, prophecy looks ahead to a renewed order where harmony prevails: “The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but the serpent’s food will be dust” (Isaiah 65:25). Even in the new creation the gachon creature remains a sign of judgment, eternally reminding redeemed humanity of God’s triumph over evil. Pastoral and Devotional Implications • Humility: Just as exaltation led to the serpent’s abasement, pride brings downfall (Proverbs 16:18). Believers are summoned to “humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand” (1 Peter 5:6). Historical Reception Jewish tradition often viewed the gachon curse as evidence that the serpent originally walked upright. Early Christian commentators, including Irenaeus and Augustine, interpreted the lowered belly as a sign of the devil’s humiliation and an allegory for carnality. Reformation expositors stressed the literal judgment on the creature while affirming its emblematic meaning for spiritual warfare. Summary Gachon, though a rare term, carries weighty theological import. From the garden curse to the Levitical purity code, it portrays humiliation, uncleanness, and divine judgment, while simultaneously heralding the gospel promise of victory over the serpent. In personal devotion and corporate ministry, the word calls believers to humility, holiness, and confident hope in the triumphant Redeemer. Forms and Transliterations גְּחֹנְךָ֣ גָּח֜ seg type='large'>וֹ seg>ן גחון גחנך gā·ḥō·wn gaChon gāḥōwn gə·ḥō·nə·ḵā gechoneCha gəḥōnəḵāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 3:14 HEB: הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה עַל־ גְּחֹנְךָ֣ תֵלֵ֔ךְ וְעָפָ֥ר NAS: of the field; On your belly you will go, KJV: of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, INT: of the field on your belly will go and dust Leviticus 11:42 2 Occurrences |
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retire, retreat, etc.)