Difference between revisions of "Gad"

<p> We meet with this name in the holy Scriptures, to denote three very different characters. The first is one of Jacob's sons, which he had by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, (&nbsp;&nbsp;Genesis 30:11) and she called his name Gad, which signifies armed; and, therefore, in the margin of our Bibles it is marked a troop, or company. The second Gad we meet with, is the prophet Gad, David's seer. (&nbsp;&nbsp;2 Samuel 24:11) The character of this man is well spoken of, by his conduct and faithfulness, in Scripture. He was much attached to David; (See &nbsp;&nbsp;1 Samuel 22:5) yet faithful to the Lord at the time of David's transgression. (See &nbsp;&nbsp;2 Samuel 24:10-19) We read also, that Gad compiled a history of the acts of David. (See &nbsp;&nbsp;1 Chronicles 29:29-30) The third mention of Gad is as an idol. There was a [[Baal-Gad]] in the valley of Lebanon. (&nbsp;&nbsp;Joshua 11:17) And the prophet Isaiah speaks of some "who prepared a table for that troop" [Gad,] "and that furnished a drink offering for that number." [meni] (&nbsp;&nbsp;Isaiah 65:11) The dying patriarch [[Jacob]] blessing his sons, made a memorable prophecy concerning Gad: "A troop" (said Jacob) "shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at the last." (&nbsp;&nbsp;Genesis 49:19) [[Considered]] in a temporal sense, this was literally true. For the Gadites were a numerous tribe, and a warlike tribe. We find no less than forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty, came out of Egypt, (&nbsp;&nbsp;Numbers 2:15) "men both of might, and men of war, fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains." (&nbsp;&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:8) And considered in a spiritual sense, the seed of Israel, though frequently overcome by troops of foes, yet though conquered, still they are a conquering people. Troops of lusts, troops of corruptions, troops from hell, and troops from the world, may, and will, bring the poor exercised soul too often under: yet the victory is still on the side of Jacob's seed. The praying seed of Jacob, at length come off as the prevailing Israel; for they must overcome "by the blood of the Lamb," and be more than conquerors through his grace making them so. </p>

<p> Prosperity, fortune, </p> <p> 1. Son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah's servant, &nbsp;Genesis 30:11 . [[Leah]] called him Gad, and said, "A troop cometh." Compare &nbsp;Genesis 49:19; but many [[Hebrew]] scholars prefer the rendering, good fortune or prosperity cometh. The tribe of Gad came out of [[Egypt]] in number forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty, &nbsp;Genesis 46:16 &nbsp; Numbers 1:24 . After the defeat of the kings [[Og]] and Sihon, Gad and Reuben desired to have their allotment east of Jordan, alleging their great number of cattle. Moses granted their request, on condition that they should accompany their brethren, and assist in conquering the land west of Jordan, &nbsp;Numbers 32:1-42 . The inheritance of the tribe of Gad lay between Manesseh on the north, Reuben on the south, the Jordan on the west, and the Ammonites on the east. The northwest point stretched to the Sea of Galilee. It was a fine pastoral region, though its exposure to the incursion of eastern [[Arabians]] compelled the Gadites to be well armed and on the alert, &nbsp;Genesis 49:19 &nbsp; Deuteronomy 33:20 &nbsp; 1 Chronicles 5:18-22,25,26 &nbsp; 12:8 . The principal cities of Gad are called cities of Gilead, &nbsp;Joshua 13:25 . </p> <p> 2. David's friend, who followed him when persecuted by Saul, and was often sent with a divine message to David, &nbsp;1 Samuel 22:5 &nbsp; 2 Samuel 24:11-19 &nbsp; 1 Chronicles 21:9-19 &nbsp; 2 Chronicles 29:25 . [[Scriptures]] styles him a prophet, and David's seer. He appears to have written a history of David's life; </p> <p> which is cited in &nbsp;1 Chronicles 29:29 . </p> <p> 3. [[Rendered]] "troops" in &nbsp;Isaiah 65:11 , but generally supposed to be the name of a heathen god of fortune; and perhaps of the planet Jupiter, the star of good fortune. Compare &nbsp;Joshua 11:17 &nbsp; 15:37 . MENI in the same verse, translated "number," is supposed by some to mean destiny; by others, the planet Benus, and the goddess of good fortune. </p>

<p> Only nine and a half of Israel’s twelve tribes settled in the area commonly known as [[Canaan]] (i.e. the land west of the Jordan River). The other two and a half tribes settled in the area east of Jordan. In this eastern area half of the tribe of Manasseh was in the north, the tribe of Gad in the centre and the tribe of Reuben in the south (&nbsp;Numbers 32:1-5; &nbsp;Numbers 32:33; &nbsp;Joshua 13:8-33). (For the settlement of the two and a half eastern tribes see &nbsp;REUBEN.) </p> <p> Although the tribe was known as Gad (after the son of Jacob who fathered it; &nbsp;Genesis 30:9-11), the area where it dwelt was commonly known as Gilead. Sometimes the names Gad and Gilead were used interchangeably (&nbsp;Joshua 13:24-25; &nbsp;Judges 5:17; &nbsp;Judges 11:5; &nbsp;Judges 12:4; &nbsp;1 Samuel 13:7). (For the physical features of the region see &nbsp;GILEAD.) </p> <p> Gad, like the other eastern tribes, was more open to attack than the western tribes, but the men of Gad were fierce fighters who drove back the invaders (&nbsp;Genesis 49:19). They could not, however, withstand invasions for ever, and when Israel was later destroyed by Assyria, they were among the first Israelites to go into captivity (&nbsp;2 Kings 10:32-33; &nbsp;2 Kings 15:29). </p>

<li> A prophet who joined David in the "hold," and at whose advice he quitted it for the forest of [[Hareth]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 29:29; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 29:25; &nbsp;1 Samuel 22:5 ). Many years after we find mention made of him in connection with the punishment inflicted for numbering the people (&nbsp;2 Samuel 24:11-19; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 21:9-19 ). He wrote a book called the "Acts of David" (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 29:29 ), and assisted in the arrangements for the musical services of the "house of God" (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 29:25 ). He bore the title of "the king's seer" (&nbsp;2 Samuel 24:11,13; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 21:9 ). <div> <p> &nbsp;Copyright StatementThese dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated [[Bible]] Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> &nbsp;Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. Entry for 'Gad'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/g/gad.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> &nbsp;Gad (&nbsp;găd), &nbsp;good fortune (?) 1. The seventh son of Jacob, and the first-born of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid. &nbsp;Genesis 30:11. 2. A prophet and particular friend of David, the history of whose reign he wrote. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 29:29. He came to David when the latter was in the cave of Adullam. &nbsp;1 Samuel 22:5. He then began his career of counsellor, under divine direction, which eventually won him the title of "the king's Beer," &nbsp;2 Samuel 24:11; &nbsp;2 Samuel 24:13; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 21:9. In Hezekiah's day he was remembered. &nbsp;2 Chronicles 29:25. </p>

<p> &nbsp;Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Gad'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and [[Ecclesiastical]] Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/g/gad.html. [[Harper]] & Brothers. New York. 1870. </p>