1545. gelom

Lexical Summary

gelom: Unformed substance, embryo

Original Word: גְּלוֹם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: glowm
Pronunciation: geh-LOHM
Phonetic Spelling: (ghel-ome')
KJV: clothes
NASB: clothes
Word Origin: [from H1563 (גָּלַם - folded it together)]

1. clothing (as wrapped)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

clothes

From galam; clothing (as wrapped) -- clothes.

see HEBREW galam

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from galam
Definition
a wrapping, garment
NASB Translation
clothes (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[גְּלוֺם] noun [masculine] wrapping, garment (Aramaic גְּלִימָא, = Persian according to Fl ChWB^{i. 143} SFrä^{LOPh i.} (1883-4) 410), בִּגְלוֺמֵי תְּכֵלֶת Ezekiel 27:24.

Topical Lexicon

Usage in Scripture

גְּלוֹם appears once, at Ezekiel 27:24, where merchants bring Tyre “multicolored carpets with cords twisted and tightly knotted”. The word points to an ornate textile—both attractive and durable—valued in long-distance trade.

Historical and Commercial Context

Tyre’s marketplace drew luxury goods from the great overland routes of Mesopotamia and Arabia. Ancient records and archaeology attest that finely woven rugs and hangings were prized cargo:

• Looms in Haran, Sheba, and Asshur produced bright, geometric patterns dyed with indigo, madder, and precious shellfish purple.
• Such fabrics served as wall hangings, floor coverings, tent drapes, and ceremonial wrappings.
• Strong cords or tassels (“tightly knotted”) kept the rolled textiles compact for caravan travel and protected them from wear.

By citing גְּלוֹם, Ezekiel catalogs the very items that sustained Tyre’s opulence, underscoring the city’s dependence on international commerce.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

1. Transient Splendor. The brilliantly patterned carpet captures Tyre’s outward magnificence, yet the surrounding oracle (Ezekiel 27:26–36) announces that this splendor will sink like a ship in a storm. The contrast warns that worldly beauty, however intricate, cannot shield from the judgment of the Sovereign LORD.
2. Covering vs. True Covering. Textiles throughout Scripture signify covering—whether Adam and Eve’s fig leaves, the embroidered curtains of the Tabernacle, or garments of salvation (Isaiah 61:10). גְּלוֹם functions as a foil: a luxurious human covering unable to conceal pride. Only the righteousness God provides can do so.
3. Craftsmanship and Worship. Exodus celebrates skilled artisans who “made artistic designs” (Exodus 35:35). Ezekiel’s lament shows that the same craftsmanship, when devoted to commerce and pride rather than covenant worship, becomes vanity. The object is not condemned, but its godless use.

Applications for Contemporary Ministry

• Stewardship of Gifts. Artistic ability and business acumen are commendable when offered to the Lord. Churches can encourage artisans to create beauty that directs attention to the Creator rather than to consumer prestige.
• Warning Against Material Idolatry. Tyre’s carpets remind believers that possessions and brand image cannot anchor the soul. Jesus’ call in Matthew 6:19–21 to lay up treasures in heaven remains urgent.
• Cultural Engagement. גְּלוֹם exemplifies how the prophets were conversant with the economic currents of their day. Faithful ministry today should likewise interpret global trade, fashion, and media through a biblical lens, exposing idolatry while affirming what is good.

Summary

The solitary appearance of גְּלוֹם captures an object of exquisite Near-Eastern craftsmanship that enriched Tyre yet failed to save it. Ezekiel wields this vivid term to illustrate the fragility of earthly glory and to direct attention to the true, lasting covering found in covenant relationship with the LORD.

Forms and Transliterations

בִּגְלוֹמֵי֙ בגלומי biḡ·lō·w·mê bigloMei biḡlōwmê

Englishman's Concordance

Ezekiel 27:24
HEB: רֹכְלַ֙יִךְ֙ בְּמַכְלֻלִ֔ים בִּגְלוֹמֵי֙ תְּכֵ֣לֶת וְרִקְמָ֔ה
NAS: with you in choice garments, in clothes of blue
KJV: [of things], in blue clothes, and broidered work,
INT: traded choice clothes of blue and embroidered

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1545
1 Occurrence

biḡ·lō·w·mê — 1 Occ.