GOMER. — I. A people descended from Japheth according to the table of nations (Gen. 10:2; cf. 1 Chron. 1:5).
In scholarly inscriptions it appears in the form Gi-mir-ra-i, in which one can easily discern the equivalent of the Kymēēpōt of Greek authors (cf. Odyssey, XI, 14; Herodotus, IV, 12 ff.). This people, probably of Thracian origin, inhabited in the historical period the northern coasts of the Black Sea. Having emigrated to Asia Minor, particularly to Armenia and Cappadocia, it often had hostile relations with the neighboring Assyrians. At least some of its branches advanced as far as Lydia, where they came into conflict with various kings until they were repulsed by King Alyattes.
In the Bible, especially in Ezek. 38:6, the term G., rather than a people or tribe with well-defined ethnic characteristics, denotes the peoples who inhabited the most distant northern regions relative to Palestine.
II. Daughter of Diblaim, known as a harlot. The prophet Hosea was compelled 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. Hos. 1:3 ff.).