Hebrew word · H1633

גָּרַם

yegarem

to break bones

Linked to gerem, 'bone'. The intensive form means 'break or gnaw bones' (Num 24:8, Israel 'shall break their bones'; Ezek 23:34, 'gnaw its shards'). The simple form here appears only in this verse, and its meaning is debated: 'gnaw', or 'lay aside, keep back'.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. · Updated October 24, 2026

What it means

(Piel) to break bones, gnaw bones, break

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Zephaniah 3:3

Range of meaning: Linked to gerem, 'bone'. The intensive form means 'break or gnaw bones' (Num 24:8, Israel 'shall break their bones'; Ezek 23:34, 'gnaw its shards'). The simple form here appears only in this verse, and its meaning is debated: 'gnaw', or 'lay aside, keep back'.
Against the English: KJV has 'they gnaw not the bones till the morrow' (adding 'the bones' in italics). YLT has 'They have not gnawn the bone in the morning'. BSB, WEB, ESV and NASB have 'leave nothing (until/for) the morning'.
Used elsewhere in the period: The Septuagint has οὐχ ὑπελίποντο εἰς τὸ πρωί, 'they left nothing over till morning', and the Vulgate has non relinquebant in mane. So the ancient translators understood it as 'leave nothing'.

From the study of Numbers 24:8

Range of meaning: It is made from gerem, 'bone'. It means to break bones, or to gnaw or crunch them. In Zephaniah 3:3 judges are compared to evening wolves that 'leave nothing (gnaw nothing) till morning'.
Against the English: 'Break' (KJV, WEB) or 'crush' (BSB). These are accurate but tamer: the Hebrew keeps the image of a predator working over a carcass.
Used elsewhere in the period: Zephaniah 3:3. Also 2 Kings 9:13, which is uncertain. The Greek has ekmyelizō, 'suck out the marrow', which shows the translators also heard a feeding image.

Similar words

גָּרָה yegareh · to stir up

Where it appears

Numbers · 1

Numbers 24:8 יְגָרֵ֖ם it will break

God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.

Here: This verb is made from the noun for 'bone'. It pictures crunching or gnawing bones the way a predator does (compare Zephaniah 3:3). It suggests nothing is left, not just a fracture.

Ezekiel · 1

Ezekiel 23:34 תְּגָרֵ֖מִי you will break

You will drink it and drain it; you will dash it to pieces, and tear your breasts. For I have spoken,’ declares the Lord GOD.

Zephaniah · 1

Zephaniah 3:3 גָרְמ֖וּ they gnaw

Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning.

Here: A rare verb connected with the noun 'bone' (gerem). Either 'they do not [leave bones to] gnaw until morning' or 'they keep nothing back until morning'. Both versions of the picture are the same: the prey is eaten whole overnight. The verb's past form describes their habit.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.