Original Word: גַּם
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: gam
Pronunciation: gahm
Phonetic Spelling: (gam)
KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)and , but, eitheror, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nayneither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea
NASB: also, even, too, both, indeed, moreover, furthermore
Word Origin: [by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather]

1. (properly) assemblage
2. used only adverbially also, even, yea, though
3. often repeated as correl. both...and

again, alike, also, so much as soon, both so

By contraction from an unused root meaning to gather; properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. Both...and -- again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
also, moreover, yea
NASB Translation
addition (1), alike (1), all (1), all* (1), also (364), although (1), any (3), besides (4), bitterly* (1), both (28), both you and also (1), both* (6), certainly (2), either (6), either by or (1), even (114), even they also (2), even they too (1), furthermore (15), however (1), indeed (21), itself (1), likewise (5), merely (1), moreover (17), moreover* (1), neither* (5), neither (1), nevertheless (1), nor (4), nor yet (1), nor* (4), now (3), now* (2), only (1), or (4), part also (1), previously* (1), so (1), spite* (1), still (1), still* (1), then (1), therefore (1), though (2), times* (2), together (2), too (30), truly (2), turn (2), very (1), well (6), what is more (1), whether (1), yes (9), yet (6).

גַּם₇₆₈ adverb denoting addition, also, moreover, yea (Moabite id., also Zinjirli (Lzb²⁵⁰ Cooke¹⁶⁶); probably akin to √ ; compare (accusative) in a mass, altogether) —

1 also, moreover, emphasizing sometimes the thought of an entire sentence, but more usually the word immediately following, as Genesis 3:6 וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּ and gave also to her husband, Genesis 3:27 and take also of the tree of life, Genesis 7:3; Genesis 19:21; Genesis 24:19; Genesis 26:21; Genesis 29:27; Genesis 30:15; Genesis 32:21 (גַּם הִגֵּה ֗֗֗ : so Esther 7:9) Genesis 48:11; Exodus 8:28; Exodus 12:32b Deuteronomy 1:37; 1 Samuel 28:20; 2 Samuel 11:12; 2 Kings 9:27; Isaiah 7:13 +. Often before pronouns, Genesis 4:4 וְהֶבֶל הֵבִיא גַם הוּא and Abel, he also brought, Genesis 20:5 וְהִיאגַֿםהִֿוא (so only here) and she herself also, Genesis 20:6; Genesis 27:31 וַיַּעַשׂ גַּם הוּא, Genesis 30:8; Deuteronomy 3:20; Judges 3:31; Judges 6:35; Judges 9:19; 1 Samuel 19:20-24 Jeremiah 12:6; Jeremiah 48:26 etc. (compare MI⁶ ויאמר גם הא): especially in Genealogies of J (Bu^{Urg. 220}) Genesis 4:22,26; Genesis 10:21; Genesis 19:38; Genesis 22:20,24 compare Judges 8:31. גַּם followed by pronoun also begins a sentence with emphasis in an elevated style, thou (they) also, Isaiah 14:10; Jeremiah 12:6 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 48:7; Ezekiel 16:52; Nahum 3:11 (twice in verse). After a pronoun in an oblique case (Ges^{§ 135}, 2) Genesis 27:34; 1 Samuel 19:23; 2 Samuel 17:5; Jeremiah 25:14; Jeremiah 27:7 +. וְגַם and also (more often than גַּם alone attaching a sentence) Genesis 6:4; Genesis 14:16; Genesis 15:14; Genesis 17:16; Genesis 20:12; Genesis 24:14,46; Genesis 30:6; Genesis 37:7; Genesis 38:24; Genesis 42:28; Exodus 2:19; Exodus 3:9; Exodus 4:14; Joshua 7:11 (5 t.) 1 Samuel 4:17; 1 Kings 21:19 + often; with a negative = neither Exodus 5:2; Exodus 34:3 and elsewhere — גַּם ֗֗֗ גַּם (like et ... et) both ... and Genesis 44:16; Genesis 47:3,19; Numbers 18:3; Jeremiah 51:12; Psalm 49:3 +: גַּם ֗֗֗ גַּם ֗֗֗ גַּם Genesis 24:25; Judges 8:22; Ecclesiastes 9:6: with a negative neither ... nor Numbers 23:25; 1 Samuel 20:27; 1 Kings 3:26, and (3t.) Genesis 43:8; Exodus 4:10; 1 Samuel 28:6. So (but seldom) גַּםוְ֗֗֗גַם Genesis 24:44; Exodus 10:25f.; 1 Samuel 2:26; 1 Samuel 12:14; 1 Samuel 26:25: with negative 1 Samuel 21:9. — N.B. In poetry independence and emphasis is sometimes given by גַּם to a new idea, where in English we should be satisfied with and: Psalm 107:5; Psalm 137:1; Job 24:19; Cant 7:14; Lamentations 4:15.

2 with stress on a particular word, even, Exodus 4:9; Numbers 22:33 גַּם אוֺתְךָ even thee I had slain, and kept her alive, 2 Samuel 17:10; Jeremiah 2:33; Psalm 132:12; Proverbs 14:13 even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, Proverbs 14:20; Proverbs 17:28; Proverbs 20:11; Ruth 2:15; Nehemiah 3:35; and so often after כִּי, Deuteronomy 12:31 for even their sons they burn in the fire to their gods, 1 Samuel 22:17; Isaiah 26:12; Jeremiah 6:11; Jeremiah 12:6; Jeremiah 14:5; Hosea 9:12 כִּיגַֿםאֿוֺי לָהֶם for even woe is it to them when I depart from them; הֲגַם Genesis 16:13; 1 Samuel 10:11,12 = 1 Samuel 19:24; 1 Kings 17:20; Psalm 78:20; Job 41:1; Esther 7:8. Other cases: — 1 Samuel 24:12 רְאֵה גַּם רְאֵה see, yea see ! (but Hup^{Qu. Job vi.} גַּם רָאֹה: compare below) Psalm 118:11; Job 2:10 גַּם אֶתהַֿטּוֺב נְקַבֵּל shall we receive good (emphatic) from God and not evil ? Job 21:7; interposed once between a substantive and adjective Genesis 20:4 Gentemne etiam justam interficies? emphasizing כֹּל, Deuteronomy 28:61; Judges 9:49b 1 Samuel 22:7 גַּםֿ לְכֻלְּכֶם to all (emphatic) of you will he give ...? 2 Samuel 19:31 גַּם אֶתהַֿכֹּל יִקָּ֑ח yea, the whole let him take! Isaiah 26:12; אֶחָד 2 Samuel 17:12b and we will not leave גַּם אֶחָד ֗֗֗ even one (similarly 2 Samuel 17:13 b), Psalm 14:3 (= Psalm 53:4) אֵין גַּם אֶחָד; an infinitive or cognate accusative attached to a verb, Genesis 31:15; Genesis 46:4; Numbers 11:15; Numbers 16:13; 1 Samuel 1:6. גַּם שְׁנֵיהֶם literally even both i.e. the one as well as the other (German alle beide) is said idiomatically, Genesis 27:45 (שְׁנֵיכֶם), Deuteronomy 22:22; Deuteronomy 23:19; 1 Samuel 25:43 (שְׁתֵּיהֶן), Proverbs 17:15; Proverbs 20:10,12; Ruth 1:5.

3 introducing a climax, yea, especially in a rhetorical style, Genesis 27:33; Deuteronomy 23:3; Deuteronomy 23:4; Judges 5:4 (twice in verse); Isaiah 13:3; Isaiah 14:8; Isaiah 43:13 yea, from to-day I am the same, Isaiah 44:12 גַּם רָעֵב yea, he is hungry, and has no strength, Isaiah 47:3; Isaiah 48:8 (3 t. in verse); Isaiah 57:7; Jeremiah 46:16; Jeremiah 48:2; Jeremiah 51:44; Hosea 7:9; Psalm 41:10; Psalm 84:7; Psalm 139:12; Isaiah 66:8 כִּיחָֿ֫לָה גַּםיָָֽֿלְדָה, צִיּוֺן אֶתבָּֿנֶיהָ, Jeremiah 5:28; Jeremiah 12:2; Ezekiel 24:5; Job 21:7; Songs 8:1: emphasizing an extreme, or aggravated, case, yea, even, Isaiah 49:15 yea, these may forgot, Jeremiah 8:17 yea, the stork knoweth, etc., Isaiah 23:12 גַּם שָׁם even there no rest shall be for thee (so Psalm 139:10), Isaiah 49:25; Isaiah 57:6; Jeremiah 23:11b; Malachi 3:15; Psalm 84:4.

4 expressing correspondence, especially in the matter of retribution (the גַּם correlativum), so frequently גַּם אֲנִי, גַּם אָנֹכִי I also (on my part): — Genesis 20:6 I also [as well as thyself] know that thou hast done this innocently, Joshua 24:18; Judges 2:21; 1 Samuel 1:28 (compare Dr) 1 Samuel 28:22 גַּם אַתָּה thou also (as I have done 1 Samuel 28:21), 2 Samuel 12:13 ׳י also [responding to thy confession] hath removed thy sin, 2 Kings 2:3,5; Isaiah 31:2; Isaiah 66:3-4 (גם ֗֗֗ גם, emphasizing the action of both parties), Jeremiah 2:36; Jeremiah 4:12 now will I also [in correspondence with their deeds] speak judgments with them, Jeremiah 7:11; Jeremiah 51:49 (גם ֗֗֗ גם), Ezekiel 5:8,11; Ezekiel 16:43 (וְגַם = therefore also), Ezekiel 23:35; Hosea 4:6 because thou hast forgotten the direction of thy God, I also (on my part) will forget thy children, Psalm 52:7 (thou lovest evil, etc.) גַּם אֵל יִתָּצְךָ God also (on his part) will pluck thee up, Psalm 71:22; Psalm 133:1; Proverbs 1:26; Job 7:11; Job 12:3; Job 16:4; so וְגַם Judges 2:3; Amos 4:6,7; Micah 6:13; Malachi 2:9. In the apodosis (uncommon): Genesis 13:16 if a man could number the dust of the earth, גַּם זַרְעֲךָ יִמָּנֶה thy seed also should be numbered, Jeremiah 31:36,37; Jeremiah 33:21,26; Zechariah 8:6. The correspondence is sometimes of the nature of a climax: Genesis 27:33; Genesis 30:8 I have wrestled, גַּם יָכֹלְתִּי (compare 1 Kings 22:22 וְגַם תּוּכָ֔ל, Jeremiah 50:24), Isaiah 66:8.

5 connecting two ideas which express (or imply) a contradiction, גַּם acquires sometimes an adversative force (compare אַף 1 end), yet, but, though: Psalm 95:9 they tried me, but also (Che) saw my work (namely of judgment), Psalm 129:2; Jeremiah 6:15 = Jeremiah 8:12; Ezekiel 20:23; Ecclesiastes 4:8,16; Ecclesiastes 5:18; Nehemiah 6:1. So וְגַם Ezekiel 16:28; Ezekiel 20:15; Ecclesiastes 3:13; Ecclesiastes 6:7; Nehemiah 5:8.

6 גַּם כִּי (with imperfect) yea, when Lamentations 3:8, even when Proverbs 22:6; yea though (stating an imagined case) Isaiah 1:15; Hosea 8:10; Hosea 9:16; Psalm 23:4 (so גַּם אִם Ecclesiastes 8:17); also (is it) that Ruth 2:21 (see כִּי 1d). כִּי גַם = for even (see above 2); = though even, although (conceding a fact) Ecclesiastes 4:14 (see De) Ecclesiastes 8:12.

Overview of Usage

The particle גַּם appears nearly eight hundred times throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, functioning chiefly as a marker of addition, inclusion, intensification, or persistence. It is never a mere grammatical filler; rather, it shapes the flow of revelation by linking thoughts, stacking emphases, and underscoring divine purposes. Whether narrating patriarchal journeys, codifying covenant law, or proclaiming prophetic oracles, Scripture employs גַּם to make sure the reader hears the all-encompassing “also” or the emphatic “even.”

Distribution across Biblical Genres

• Torah (Genesis–Deuteronomy): about one-third of the occurrences, where the particle binds covenant promises and judgments.
• Historical Books: nearly two hundred uses, reinforcing the cumulative consequences of obedience or rebellion.
• Wisdom and Poetry: frequent in Psalms, Proverbs, and Job, intensifying praise or contrast.
• Prophets: consistently used to heighten rhetorical force—“even” the remnant, “also” the nations, “yet” the LORD.

Typical Syntactic Roles

1. Coordinating Addition: Jacob says, “Take also your brother” (Genesis 43:13).
2. Intensifying Assertion: “Even the darkness is not dark to You” (Psalm 139:12).
3. Adversative Persistence: “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD” (Habakkuk 3:18).
4. Inclusive Pairing: “Both young men and maidens” (Psalm 148:12).

Key Theological Themes

Inclusion in Covenant Grace

When used with divine promises, גַּם widens the embrace of God’s blessing: “I will also give this land to your offspring after you” (Genesis 13:15). The particle signals that the promise is not limited to the patriarch alone but extends to generations yet unborn.

Comprehensive Judgment

Conversely, the same particle extends the reach of divine judgment: “I will also bring upon you the sword” (Leviticus 26:25). The moral logic is unmistakable—transgression invites cumulative penalties just as faithfulness invites cumulative favor.

Unfailing Faithfulness

Repeatedly, גַּם reinforces God’s steadfastness when human fidelity falters. Jonathan tells David, “You shall be king over Israel, and I will also be next to you” (1 Samuel 23:17). The kingdom’s security is couched in a double assurance.

Universal Praise

In doxological settings the particle gathers every voice into unified worship: “Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth, both young men and maidens, old men and children” (Psalm 148:11-12).

Representative Passages

Genesis 31:15 – “Surely all the wealth that God has taken from our father belongs to us and to our children as well.”

Exodus 9:14 – “For this time I will send all My plagues against you yourself, and against your officials and your people, so that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth.”

1 Kings 8:27 – “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even the highest heavens cannot contain You.”

Psalm 91:13 – “You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and the serpent.”

Isaiah 1:15 – “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.”

Jeremiah 31:34 – “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18 – “Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines… yet I will rejoice in the LORD.”

Connection to Covenant Inclusiveness

The Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants all deploy גַּם to expand their scope. In Genesis 17:21 the LORD promises, “But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.” The following verse adds, “As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will surely bless him also.” The additional blessing does not nullify the chosen line but magnifies divine generosity.

Emphasis in Worship and Prayer

Psalms employ גַּם to layer petitions and praise: “The LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity” (Proverbs 2:6-7). Each line widens the horizon of divine provision.

Prophetic Intensification

Prophets often introduce a shocking reversal or a merciful promise with גַּם. Isaiah 49:6 records the LORD’s word to the Servant: “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob… I will also make You a light for the nations.” The gospel mission to Gentiles is intimated by this single particle.

Wisdom Literature Nuances

Ecclesiastes harnesses גַּם to underscore life’s paradoxes: “Even in laughter the heart may ache” (Proverbs 14:13). Job uses it to press his case: “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” (Job 13:15).

Implications for Preaching and Teaching

1. Highlight the cumulative nature of God’s dealings—grace piled upon grace or judgment upon judgment.
2. Show how minor textual details reinforce major theological points; the Spirit’s inspiration extends to particles.
3. Use “also” moments in Scripture to call congregations to inclusive obedience and comprehensive trust.
4. Trace how prophetic “even” or “yet” statements anticipate New Testament fulfillment—“Even the Gentiles are granted repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18).

Translation and Textual Notes

• Septuagint typically renders גַּם with καί or ἔτι, mirroring addition or continuation.
• English versions vary (also, even, both, yet), but the underlying thrust of inclusion or intensification remains.
• Masoretic pointing rarely changes the meaning; context, not vocalization, guides interpretation.

Summary

Far from a negligible word, גַּם threads through the tapestry of Scripture, binding themes, deepening contrasts, and widening horizons. Whether heightening judgment, extending mercy, or summoning universal praise, the particle ensures that nothing God intends is left out. In reading and teaching the Old Testament, attention to this small gatekeeper of inclusion helps unseal fuller treasures of revelation, reminding believers that in Christ “all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen.’”

בְּשַׁגַּ֖ם בשגם גַ֤ם גַּ֕ם גַּ֖ם גַּ֗ם גַּ֚ם גַּ֛ם גַּ֝ם גַּ֞ם גַּ֠ם גַּ֣ם גַּ֣ם ׀ גַּ֤ם גַּ֤ם ׀ גַּ֥ם גַּ֧ם גַּ֭ם גַּֽם־ גַּם֩ גַּם֮ גַּם־ גַֽם־ גַם־ גם גם־ הֲ֠גַם הֲגַ֖ם הֲגַ֥ם הֲגַם־ הגם הגם־ וְ֝גַ֗ם וְ֠גַם וְגַ֕ם וְגַ֖ם וְגַ֗ם וְגַ֛ם וְגַ֡ם וְגַ֣ם וְגַ֣ם ׀ וְגַ֤ם וְגַ֥ם וְגַ֧ם וְגַ֨ם וְגַ֨ם־ וְגַֽם־ וְגַם֙ וְגַם֩ וְגַם־ וגם וגם־ שֶׁגַּם־ שגם־ bə·šag·gam bəšaggam beshagGam gam ḡam gam- ḡam- gamoSha hă·ḡam hă·ḡam- haGam hăḡam hăḡam- šeg·gam- šeggam- sheggam veGam wə·ḡam wə·ḡam- wəḡam wəḡam-Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts