Who and what is…
Gomer

Meaning: complete; vanishing

This is the name of a biblical woman and man.

1. Gomer, daughter of Diblaim

   This daughter of Diblaim, probably in vision only, became the wife of the prophet Hosea (Hosea 1:3).

   God told the Hosea to marry Gomer, and it is assumed that she was at first chaste and later became unfaithful. The Bible describes her as a “harlot” (Hosea 1:2 NASB), a “whore” (Hosea 1:2 KJV), a “promiscuous woman” (Hosea 1:2 NIV) and an adulteress (Hosea 3:1 NIV). Hosea was faithful and loyal; Gomer was not. The marriage was a living symbol of Israel’s relationship with God; they were spiritually unfaithful (idolators), whereas God was always faithful and demonstrated his love.

   Hosea’s name means “salvation” (as do the names “Jesus” and “Joshua”), and he lived a life which demonstrated true love.

   More information

   • Hosea
   • prophecies of Hosea
   • Read the book of Hosea
   • About idolatry and false gods in the Bible
   • About idols in the Bible
   • Adultery and fornication in the Bible
   • Sexual lust outside of marriage—Why does God strongly warn us about it?
   • Is there a way to overcome excessive lust for sex?
   • Purity—Should I save sex for marriage?
   • For a follower of Christ, what is LOVE—a feeling, an emotion, or an action?
   • TRUE LOVE—What is true love and how do you know when you have found it? Answer
   • About the fall of mankind to worldwide depravity
   • What is SIN AND WICKEDNESS? Answer

2. Gomer, son of Japheth

   Gomer is the eldest son of Japheth, and father of Ashkenaz, Riphath (Diphath in 1 Chronicles 1:6 NKJV and NASB), and Togarmah (Genesis 10:2-3).

   Relatives

   • Paternal Grandfather: Noah
   • Father: Japheth
   • Mother: not named in Scripture
   • Sons: • Ashkenaz (Germany) • Riphath/Diphath (Riphatheans/Paphlagonians and Sauromatians) • Togarmah (Armenia, Georgia, Turkic-speaking peoples)

   Japheth
     • GOMER
         Gomerites: 
          Galatians (Anatolian Galatia)
          Cappadocians
          Cimmerians/Gimmerai (southern Russia)
          Armenians
          Celts
          Gauls
   
     • Magog
        Caucasians, Scythians
   
     • Madal
        Medes and Persian tribes
   
     • Javan
        • Elishah
            Greeks
        • Tarshish
            Etruscans, Romans
        • Chittim
            Cyprians, Macedonians
        • Dodanim
            Rhodians
   
     • Tubal
        Tibareni, Tartars
   
     • Mechech / Moschi
        Muscovites
   
     • Tiras
        Thracians
   

   Gomers descendants formed the principal branch of the population of Southeastern Europe.

   His descendants are the Gomerites. He is generally regarded as the ancestor of the Celtae and the Cimmerians (Cimmerii / Gimmerai), who in early times settled to the north of the Black Sea (southern Russia), and gave their name to the Crimea, the ancient Chersonesus Taurica. Traces of their presence are found in the names Cimmerian Bosphorus, Cimmerian Isthmus, etc.

   In the seventh century B.C. they were driven out of their original seat by the Scythians, and overran western Asia Minor, whence they were afterwards expelled.

   They subsequently reappear in the times of the Romans as the Cimbri of the north and west of Europe, whence they crossed to the British Isles, where their descendants are still found in the Gaels and Cymry.

   Thus the whole Celtic peoples may be regarded as descended from Gomer.