# \*gaw-: 'people'

> Proto-Semitic *gaw-, 'people': reflexes in 5 language(s).

A page of the Linear A Lexicon's research wiki, in [Wiki](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/index.md>) › [Kaphtor Semitic Roots](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/index.md>) › [G](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/g/index.md>). Updated 2026-10-25.

## Root

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Reconstruction | \*gaw- |
| Meaning | 'people' |
| Basis | project |

## Reflexes

| Language | Form | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hebrew | gôy (HALOT 182); gēw (Jb 30:5) (HALOT 182) | HALOT 182 | gloss withheld |
| Amorite | gaʾjum (Gelb AS 21, 18); gāyu (Buck 2019, 327); gayyu; gayyišam: ga-ji-ša-am (A.3993) (Streck 2000, 89) | Gelb AS 21 18; Buck 2019, 327; Streck 2000 89 | gloss withheld |
| Epigraphic South Arabian | Sab gwy, gw-m (SD 51); gw, gwy (Biella 67); Qat. gw (Ricks 1982 s.v. gw) | SD 51; Biella 67; Ricks 1982 s.v. gw | gloss withheld |
| Phoenician | gw, with the article hgw (KAI 60) (Krahmalkov 137; T 63) | KAI 60; Krahmalkov 137; T 63 | gloss withheld |
| Punic | Neo-Punic hgw (Krahmalkov 137; T 63) | Krahmalkov 137; T 63 | gloss withheld |

A form keeps its source's gloss only when the source is public domain or openly licensed.

## Notes

HSED 906 prints Semitic \*gaw- 'man, people' with Hebrew gōy and South Arabian gw. Mari gāʾu 'group, gang (of workmen)' is a West Semitic loanword in Akkadian (CAD G 59; HALOT 182).

## Linked from

- [G](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/g/index.md>)

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Page: https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/g/3333_people/
Licence: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Cite as: di Mino, Tom. 2026. Linear A Lexicon. Plasma AI. https://linear-a.ai/. Data: kaphtor, commit add28e94.