The Hebrew verb גָּרַם (root: ג-ר-ם) means “to cause,” “to bring about,” or “to result in.” It conveys the idea of producing an outcome, especially one that happens indirectly. In Biblical Hebrew, it may also carry the meaning of “dragging along” or “drawing,” while in Rabbinic and Modern Hebrew, it develops the abstract sense of “causation.”
This verb is primarily used in the Qal binyan, meaning “to cause,” and in Modern Hebrew it also appears frequently in common speech and formal writing.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of גָּרַם (“to cause”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | גָּרַמְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | גָּרַמְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | גָּרַמְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | גָּרַם |
| 3rd person feminine singular | גָּרְמָה |
| 1st person plural | גָּרַמְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | גְּרַמְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | גְּרַמְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | גָּרְמוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | גּוֹרֵם |
| Feminine singular | גּוֹרֶמֶת |
| Masculine plural | גּוֹרְמִים |
| Feminine plural | גּוֹרְמוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶגְרֹם |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תִּגְרֹם |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תִּגְרְמִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יִגְרֹם |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תִּגְרֹם |
| 1st person plural | נִגְרֹם |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תִּגְרְמוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תִּגְרֹמְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יִגְרְמוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | גְּרֹם |
| 2nd person feminine singular | גִּרְמִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | גִּרְמוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | גְּרֹמְנָה |
Does גָּרַם Appear in the Tanakh?
Yes, though rarely. The verb גָּרַם appears once in the Tanakh in a poetic context.
- Proverbs 25:15 – בְּאֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם יְפֻתֶּה קָצִין וְלָשׁוֹן רַכָּה תְּשַׁבֶּר גָּרֶם
“By long-suffering a ruler is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks a bone.” — Here, גָּרֶם is a noun meaning “bone,” but related to the same root.
As a verb, its causative meaning becomes more developed in Rabbinic Hebrew.
Talmudic or Rabbinic Literature
The verb גָּרַם appears frequently in the Talmud in legal discussions, especially regarding causation:
- גרמא בנזיקין – “Indirect causation of damage.” This legal principle is key in tort law (Bava Kamma, Sanhedrin).
- הגָּרָם לו – “He caused it [to happen].”
It often distinguishes between direct and indirect consequences of an action and is important in determining liability.
Summary
The verb גָּרַם means “to cause” or “to bring about” and plays a critical role in Rabbinic legal language. While its usage in the Bible is limited, its root concept is foundational, appearing as a noun (“bone”) and later expanding into abstract and legal meanings in Rabbinic Hebrew. In Modern Hebrew, גָּרַם continues to be a standard verb for expressing causality.
