Lexical Summary Goah: Roaring, bellowing Original Word: גֹּעָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Goath Feminine active participle of ga'ah; lowing; Goah, a place near Jerusalem -- Goath. see HEBREW ga'ah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gaah Definition a place near Jer. NASB Translation Goah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גֹּעָה proper name, of a location close to Jerusalem גֹּעָ֑תָה Jeremiah 31:39; — site unknown. Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting and Single Occurrence גֹּעָה (Goah) appears only once in the Old Testament: “The measuring line will once again stretch out straight to the hill of Gareb, and then turn toward Goah” (Jeremiah 31:39). The verse belongs to a larger restoration oracle (Jeremiah 30–33) in which the Lord promises the rebirth, expansion, and security of Jerusalem after exile. Geographical Considerations Goah is paired with the “hill of Gareb,” marking a southwestern sector beyond the older city walls. Though the precise location is uncertain today, ancient tradition places it near the Valley of Hinnom, an area once associated with refuse and judgment. By naming Goah as an endpoint of the new measuring line, Scripture depicts the city’s growth over former waste places, turning stigma into sanctified space. Prophetic Significance in Jeremiah 31 1. Boundary Expansion: The extension to Goah underscores the breadth of God’s restoration. What was outside and defiled will be brought inside and made holy. Historical Perspectives Post-exilic communities took courage from such geographic markers. As Nehemiah rebuilt walls and later generations expanded habitation, Goah stood as a remembered pledge that every neglected corner would ultimately belong to the Lord. Early Jewish writings treat the verse as proof that even polluted valleys would be reclaimed. Theological Themes • Redemption of the Marginalized: Goah represents people and places once discarded. God’s redemptive plan reaches out to the edges, reclaiming what seemed irredeemable (Isaiah 35:1-2). Lessons for Ministry and Worship 1. Vision Casting: Churches and ministries can draw on the Goah promise when discerning expansion—physical facilities, missions outreach, or new congregations—trusting God to supply resources for territory He has measured. Intertextual Echoes • Zechariah 1:16 – Another “measuring line” promises Jerusalem’s rebuilding. Summary Goah, though mentioned only once, embodies the Lord’s pledge to reclaim, enlarge, and sanctify all that belongs to His covenant people. Its quiet presence in Jeremiah 31:39 assures readers that no place is too obscure for divine attention and no boundary too fixed for divine expansion. Forms and Transliterations גֹּעָֽתָה׃ געתה׃ gō‘āṯāh gō·‘ā·ṯāh goAtahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 31:39 HEB: גָּרֵ֑ב וְנָסַ֖ב גֹּעָֽתָה׃ NAS: Gareb; then it will turn to Goah. KJV: and shall compass about to Goath. INT: Gareb will turn to Goah 1 Occurrence |
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