Lexical Summary golem: Unformed substance, embryo Original Word: גֹּלֶם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance substance yet being imperfect From galam; a wrapped (and unformed mass, i.e. As the embryo) -- substance yet being unperfect. see HEBREW galam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom galam Definition an embryo NASB Translation unformed substance (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [גֹּ֫לֶם] noun [masculine] embryo (Late Hebrew גּוֺלֶם, Aramaic גּוֺלְמָא, unfinished vessel), גָּלְמִי רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ Psalm 139:16 mine imperfect substance (RV) did thine eyes see. Topical Lexicon Term Overview Gōlem denotes an unshaped, embryonic form. The noun appears a single time in Scripture and immediately evokes the mystery of God’s creative work at the earliest stage of human life. Scriptural Context (Psalm 139:16) David exclaims, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). The poet pictures himself in the womb as an incomplete, wordless entity entirely known and planned by God. The term underscores two truths: (1) personhood precedes observable form, and (2) divine sovereignty extends to every detail of human existence before birth. Theological Themes 1. Divine Omniscience and Omnipresence. Psalm 139 affirms that God’s knowledge encompasses even the hidden “unformed body,” reinforcing the larger psalmic meditation that no realm—whether heaven, Sheol, or the depths of the sea—lies outside His gaze (Psalm 139:7-12). Historical and Rabbinic Reflection Post-biblical Jewish writings employ golem to describe Adam before the breath of life and, later, artificial beings in mystical legend. While these expansions display fascination with formative stages, the canonical usage keeps the focus on God as the sole artisan of life. Early church fathers, reading Psalm 139 in the Greek translation (adumbrama, “imperfect substance”), likewise emphasized God’s foreknowledge rather than speculative anthropology. New Testament Echoes and Continuities Though the term itself is absent from the Greek Scriptures, its concept resonates. John the Baptist “leaped in her womb” (Luke 1:41), and Paul speaks of God setting him apart “from my mother’s womb” (Galatians 1:15). These passages echo Psalm 139:16’s portrait of prenatal personhood overseen by a purposeful Creator. Practical Ministry Applications • Pro-life Ethics: Psalm 139:16 provides a foundational text for defending unborn life, informing counseling, advocacy, and personal decision-making. Homiletical Suggestions A sermon might trace “From Gōlem to Glory,” beginning with the unformed body and culminating in glorification (Romans 8:30), illustrating God’s unbroken care. Alternatively, juxtapose Psalm 139:16 with Ephesians 2:10 to show that the works prepared for believers mirror the days ordained for them. Related Vocabulary and Concepts • Yatsar (“to form”) as in Genesis 2:7 and Isaiah 44:2. Doctrinal Implications Creation: Life originates by divine fiat, not random process. Providence: God’s book records each day, affirming meticulous sovereignty. Human Value: Worth is intrinsic, grounded in God’s knowledge, not post-natal achievement. Summary Gōlem, though rare, shines as a theological gem. In a single verse it declares the embryo fully within God’s sight, plan, and care, framing all subsequent biblical teaching on life’s sanctity and God’s sovereign artistry. Forms and Transliterations גָּלְמִ֤י ׀ גלמי gā·lə·mî gāləmî galMiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 139:16 HEB: גָּלְמִ֤י ׀ רָ֘א֤וּ עֵינֶ֗יךָ NAS: have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book KJV: did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book INT: my unformed have seen your eyes 1 Occurrence |
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