Lexical Summary gama: To swallow, to drink Original Word: גָּמָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance swallow, drink A primitive root (literally or figuratively) to absorb -- swallow, drink. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to swallow (liquids) NASB Translation drink (1), races (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [גָּמָא] verb swallow (liquids), (Late Hebrew id.; compare Aramaic גְּמָא, גְּמַע,  ; perhaps compare also Ethiopic  jar, vessel see Di) — Pi`el Imperfect יְגַמֶּאאֶֿרֶץ Job 39:24 figurative of horse in swift gallop; (this, however, possibly denominative from גּוּמָּא Late Hebrew, Aramaic גּוּמְּתָא, Hiph`il Imperative feminine singular suffix הַגְמִיאִינִי נָא מְעַטמַֿיִם Genesis 24:17 let me drink a little water, pray. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and ContextStrong’s Hebrew 1572 גָּמָא appears only twice in the Old Testament—Genesis 24:17 and Job 39:24—yet these two settings give a full range of meaning, from the simple act of drinking to the figurative swallowing-up of distance. In both texts the verb marks decisive moments: one of covenant beginnings through hospitality, and one of martial intensity in the divine description of the warhorse. Literal Refreshment and Covenant Hospitality (Genesis 24:17) Genesis 24 narrates the search for a bride for Isaac. Abraham’s servant prays for a sign that the chosen woman will give him a drink and water his camels. When Rebekah arrives, the servant “ran to meet her and said, ‘Please let me have a little water from your jar’” (Genesis 24:17). The request employs גָּמָא in the imperative: “Let me drink.” 1. Hospitality in the Ancient Near East Watering a stranger was a basic yet profound gesture of welcome. By meeting this need, Rebekah demonstrates a heart of service that confirms the servant’s prayer (Genesis 24:18-20). Her action becomes the hinge for the Abrahamic covenant’s next generation, underscoring how seemingly ordinary acts of kindness advance God’s redemptive plan. 2. Echoes in Wisdom and Prophetic Literature Proverbs 25:21 exhorts, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” The root idea embodied in גָּמָא reinforces a biblical ethic of mercy that foreshadows Christ’s teaching in Matthew 10:42 concerning even “a cup of cold water.” Figurative Vigor and Martial Zeal (Job 39:24) In the Lord’s address to Job, גָּמָא describes the warhorse’s explosive eagerness: “In frenzied excitement he devours the distance; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds” (Job 39:24). 1. Poetic Imagery The verb moves from literal drinking to metaphorical swallowing of terrain. The horse’s intensity is so great that it seems to consume the ground itself. This bold personification highlights divine craftsmanship; the Creator equips the creature with courage that surpasses human control. 2. Theological Implications The scene confronts Job with his own limitations. Humanity cannot instill such fearless energy, but God can. The same Lord who invites gentle hospitality in Genesis 24 also commands fear-inspiring strength in Job 39, revealing a harmonious spectrum of divine attributes. Spiritual and Ministerial Significance 1. Quenching True Thirst The motif of drinking water anticipates the Messiah’s offer of “living water” (John 4:10). Where גָּמָא meets a physical need, Jesus satisfies the spiritual one, fulfilling the deeper thirst of the soul (John 7:37-38). 2. Readiness and Zeal The warhorse’s urgency models holy fervor for believers engaged in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-17). Just as the horse “cannot stand still,” the Church is called to a forward-moving mission, propelled by the Spirit’s power. 3. Servant-hearted Ministry Rebekah’s swift response encourages practical service. Meeting tangible needs can open doors to covenantal blessing, mirroring Jesus’ own pattern of washing feet and feeding multitudes (John 13:14; Mark 6:41-42). Related Biblical Motifs • Water as life-sustaining provision: Exodus 17:6; Isaiah 55:1 Conclusion Though גָּמָא occurs only twice, its settings illuminate essential biblical themes: humble service that furthers covenant purposes and God-given zeal that overcomes opposition. Together they encourage believers to offer refreshment to the weary while advancing with unstoppable resolve in the work of the Lord. Forms and Transliterations הַגְמִיאִ֥ינִי הגמיאיני יְגַמֶּא־ יגמא־ haḡ·mî·’î·nî haḡmî’înî hagmiIni yə·ḡam·me- yegamme yəḡamme-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 24:17 HEB: לִקְרָאתָ֑הּ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הַגְמִיאִ֥ינִי נָ֛א מְעַט־ NAS: Please let me drink a little KJV: and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little INT: her her and said drink Please A little Job 39:24 2 Occurrences |
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pit, hollow, i.e. he makes [paws or stamps] hollows in the earth).