This section will be devoted to Scriptural words and their meaning. We will not only establish the etymological roots of these words, but we will reveal how many English words are actually Hebrew words. Everything and anything you might want to know about the Hebrew language will be discussed and presented in this section.E-mail us if you want to know what a particular word is and we will be happy to post it here for all to read. If you are interested in it, maybe many others are, too.
GADThe next son of Ya'akov is called Gad. An interesting name to say the least. It is actually pronounced the same way we articulate the word 'God'. The Hebrew root this word comes from is more than likely the word gadad. This word means to gather together for the purpose of invading. The family cognates are translated as troops, armies, bands, to cut yourself (penetrating the skin), and to invade a fortune. This word is made up of a gimel, and a dalet (d g ) * . The early pictograph means to gather at the door. The blessing of Ya'akov on this son seems to indicate his misfortunes and his fortunes.
B'reshiyth 49:19 It seems that Gad is associated with fighting and many times linked with Reuben and his strength and power (B'midbar 32:29, Hitgalut 7:5). One might logically ask if this word is in any way related to our English word God or god. The history of the word 'god' is a tangled one at best. It shoots off in so many directions it is hard to determine which direction should really concern us. Etymologically speaking, it is very possible that the Hebrew idea of invading or pursuing the door of good fortune, came through the Teutonic word 'god' which eventually ended up as the English word 'good' and 'goodbye'.
Shalom Alecheim! *[Ed. note: must have font face SPTiberian to view Hebrew script]
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