Gammadim
Summary
An obscure term appearing once in Scripture, referring to defenders of Tyre's towers whose identity remains disputed.
☩The Passage
The Gammadim are mentioned in Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre as being 'in thy towers,' apparently defending the city alongside mercenaries from Arvad and Persia. The Septuagint translates the term as 'guards,' while the Vulgate renders it 'pygmies.'
☩Interpretations
Various explanations have been proposed. Some connect the word to a Hebrew root meaning 'a cubit,' suggesting 'cubit-high men' or pygmies. Others treat it as a geographical term, identifying them with inhabitants of an otherwise unknown Phoenician town called Gamad. The most likely interpretation, following the Septuagint, takes it as a general term for 'guards' or 'valorous men.' The Revised Version margin has 'valorous men.'
Related Verses1 mention
Ezekiel· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Gammadim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Gammadim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Gammadim," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).