GOMER

Gomer is a proper name associated with several figures in biblical and cultural contexts. In the Hebrew Bible, Gomer is listed as a son of Japheth, a grandson of Noah, in Genesis 10, part of the genealogical table of nations. The exact historical identity of this Gomer and the peoples connected with him are the subject of scholarly debate; ancient identifications often proposed links to regions around the Black Sea or Anatolia, but there is no consensus.

In the Hebrew Bible, a different Gomer appears as the wife of the prophet Hosea (Hosea 1:3). She is described as the mother of Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi, and her story is used as a symbolic portrayal of Israel's covenantal infidelity and divine judgment.

In modern usage, Gomer is also a given name, predominantly male in English-speaking contexts, drawn from the biblical figure. A well-known fictional bearer is Gomer Pyle, a character on The Andy Griffith Show and the spinoff Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., portrayed by Jim Nabors; the character became a widely recognized cultural stereotype of a simple, good-natured country boy.

The etymology of the name Gomer is Hebrew, sometimes linked to roots meaning completion or ending; however, the precise meaning is uncertain. Today, the name is relatively uncommon but continues to appear in various contexts.