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•GOMORRAH submersion, one of the five cities of the plain of Siddim (q.v.) which were destroyed by fire (Genesis 10:19; 13:10; 19:24, 28). These cities probably stood close together, and were near the northern extremity of what is now the Dead Sea. This city is always mentioned next after Sodom, both of which were types of impiety and wickedness (Genesis 18:20; Romans 9:29). Their destruction is mentioned as an “ensample unto those that after should live ungodly” (2 Peter 2:6; Jude 1:4-7). Their wickedness became proverbial (Deuteronomy 32:32; Isaiah 1:9, 10; Jeremiah 23:14). But that wickedness may be exceeded (Matthew 10:15; Mark 6:11). (See DEAD SEA).‌‌‌‌

•GOODLY TREES boughs of, were to be carried in festive procession on the first day of the feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40). This was probably the olive tree (Nehemiah 8:15), although no special tree is mentioned.

•GOODNESS in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.

•GOODNESS OF GOD a perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Psalm 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. “Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but he is eternally infinitely just and merciful.” God is infinitely and unchangeably good (Zephaniah 3:17), and his goodness is incomprehensible by the finite mind (Romans 11: 35, 36). “God’s goodness appears in two things, giving and forgiving.”

•GOPHER a tree from the wood of which Noah was directed to build the ark (Genesis 6:14). It is mentioned only there. The LXX. render this word by “squared beams,” and the Vulgate by “planed wood.” Other versions have rendered it “pine” and “cedar;” but the weight of authority is in favour of understanding by it the cypress tree, which grows abundantly in Chaldea and Armenia.

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