Lexical Summary Gammadim: Gammadim Original Word: גַּמָּד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gammadims From the same as gomed; a warrior (as grasping weapons) -- Gammadims. see HEBREW gomed NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as gomed Definition "men of valor," defenders of Tyre NASB Translation Gammadim (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גַּמָּדִים proper name, of a people Ezekiel 27:11; valorous men ThesAdd. 79 Ew RV m; but proper name apparently needed; גּמדים not elsewhere; LagOnom. Sacr. 2, 95, 2nd ed. 367 proposes גמרים see גֹּמֶר; < Co צמרים compare Genesis 10:18. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence The term appears once, in Ezekiel 27:11, within a lament over Tyre: “Men of Arvad and Helech were stationed on your walls all around, and men of Gammad were on your towers. They hung their shields on your walls all around; they perfected your beauty”. Historical Context Ezekiel’s oracle (Ezekiel 27) portrays Tyre as a cosmopolitan, fortified harbor-city. By the sixth century BC Tyre relied on foreign contingents to man its defenses. The “men of Gammad” are listed alongside soldiers from Arvad and Helech, northern coastal towns in the Phoenician sphere. Their inclusion suggests either (1) a small allied city or clan near Lebanon, or (2) a specialized corps of mercenaries whose reputation for courage made them desirable to Tyre. Contemporary Near-Eastern treaties often required vassals to supply garrison troops; the Gammadim likely filled that role. Cultural and Military Role The verse highlights three features: 1. Position on “your towers” – elite troops typically occupied the most exposed but strategic vantage points. Prophetic Significance Ezekiel’s lament is ultimately a warning: worldly power, even when buttressed by the best soldiers, cannot avert divine judgment. Tyre’s downfall (Ezekiel 26; 27:27) exposes the futility of trusting in alliances rather than the LORD. The single mention of the Gammadim therefore functions theologically: it underscores the breadth of Tyre’s resources, making the city’s collapse all the more emphatic and God’s sovereignty unmistakable. Lessons for Ministry 1. Reliance on human defenses. Churches and believers are tempted to measure security by budgets, buildings, or influential partnerships. The fate of Tyre and its Gammad defenders calls the church to echo Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Related Passages and Themes • Isaiah 23 parallels Ezekiel’s oracle, presenting Tyre as a cautionary tale of commercial arrogance. Conclusion Although Scripture mentions the Gammadim only once, their strategic placement in Ezekiel’s prophecy magnifies a central biblical message: no accumulation of human strength can withstand the purposes of God. Their shields may have perfected Tyre’s outward beauty, but true security is found exclusively in humble dependence on the LORD, whose word proves unfailing across all ages. Forms and Transliterations וְגַ֨מָּדִ֔ים וגמדים veGammaDim wə·ḡam·mā·ḏîm wəḡammāḏîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 27:11 HEB: חוֹמוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙ סָבִ֔יב וְגַ֨מָּדִ֔ים בְּמִגְדְּלוֹתַ֖יִךְ הָי֑וּ NAS: [all] around, and the Gammadim were in your towers. KJV: round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: INT: your walls around and the Gammadim your towers become 1 Occurrence |
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