GOMER. - 1. A people descended from Iapheth according to the table of nations (Gen. 10, 2; cf. I Par. 1, 5).
In the Akkadian inscriptions it appears under the form Gi-mir-ra-i, in which it is easy to discern the equivalent of the Κυμέριον of the Greek authors (cf. Odisea, XI, 14; Herodotus, IV, 12 ff.). This people, probably of Thracian origin, inhabited the northern shores of the Black Sea in the historical period. Having migrated to Asia Minor, particularly to Armenia and Cappadocia, they often had hostile relations with the neighboring Assyrians. At least some of their offshoots advanced as far as Lydia, where they came into conflict with several kings until they were repelled by King Aliatte.
In the Bible, especially in Ez. 38, 6, the term G., rather than denoting a people or tribe with well-defined ethnic characteristics, indicates the peoples inhabiting the regions farthest north of Palestine.
2. Daughter of Debelaim, known as a harlot. The prophet Hosea was obliged to marry her by a command of God, who intended to take the prophet’s marriage as a symbol of His relations with the people of Israel (cf. Os. 1, 3 ff.).