Difference between revisions of "Gad"

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== Fausset's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_35437" /> ==
== People's Dictionary of the Bible <ref name="term_70099" /> ==
<p> Jacob's seventh son; Leah's maid Zilpah's firstborn; Asher's brother. &nbsp;Genesis 30:11-13, for "a troop cometh," translated "good fortune cometh," answering to Asher, "blessedness," the name of the next son; &nbsp;Genesis 46:16; &nbsp;Genesis 46:18. In &nbsp;Genesis 49:19 translated "Gad, troops shall troop upon him ( '''''Gad''''' , '''''Gedud Ye''''' - '''''Guddenu''''' ), but he shall troop upon ( '''''Yagud''''' ) their rear" in retreat; alluding to the [[Arab]] tumultuous tribes near, who would invade Gad, then retire, [[Gad]] pressing on them in retreat. '''''Gedud''''' implies not merely a numerous "troop," but a fierce turbulent band. The tribe's position on march was S. of the tabernacle (&nbsp;Numbers 2:14). Eliasaph, Reuel's' son, was their leader. In &nbsp;Numbers 2:10; &nbsp;Numbers 2:14, we find Gad united to [[Reuben]] on the S. side of the sanctuary. Companionship in arms and hardships in the wilderness naturally led them to desire neighborhood in their possessions; also similarity of pursuits in tending flocks and herds led Gad to alliance with Reuben. </p> <p> And their respective numbers were nearly the same; at the first census, Gad 45,650, Reuben 46,500; at the last, Gad 40,500, and Reuben 43,330. These undesigned coincidences confirm the truth of the narrative. Like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, of the tribes they two alone remained shepherds still after the intervening centuries since Jacob left [[Canaan]] for Egypt. They therefore received the pasture lands E. of [[Jordan]] for their possession (Numbers 32), as suited for their "multitude of cattle," but accompanied the nine tribes and a half across Jordan to war with the Canaanites; and only after their conquest and the apportionment of the whole land to their brethren "at the doorway of the tabernacle of the congregation in Shiloh, before Jehovah" (&nbsp;Joshua 19:51; &nbsp;Joshua 22:1-8), were they dismissed "to their tents (for still they led a half nomadic life) and the land of their possession." </p> <p> Gad's allotment lay chiefly about the center of the land E. of Jordan, comprising the high land on the general level, stopping short at the Jabbok, and also the sunk valley of the Jordan itself, the whole eastern side up to the sea of [[Cinnereth]] or Gennesaret. The farthest landmark eastward is [[Aroer]] facing Rabbah, now [[Arabian]] (&nbsp;Joshua 13:25). Half Gilead (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 3:12), and half of the land of Ammon, the mountainous district intersected by Jabbok. (See [[Gilead]] .) [[Manasseh]] lay N. and E. (reaching S. as far as Mahanaim), Reuben S., of Gad. [[Mahanaim]] the ancient sanctuary was on Gad's northern border; [[Heshbon]] lay somewhat S. of its southern border. From western [[Palestine]] the territory of Gad looks like a wall of purple mountain with a marked horizontal outline. On a nearer approach picturesque undulating downs are seen on every side clothed with rich grass; and three rivers, the Yarmuk, Jabbok, and [[Arnon]] flow down into the Jordan and [[Dead]] Sea by deep ravines which seam the horizontal line of hills. </p> <p> Not the flat sheep walks of Reuben and Moab, but well wooded, especially in the N., with sycamore, beech, terebinth, ilex, cedar, arbutus, and enormous fig trees. In the official record in the days of [[Jotham]] king of Judah, and [[Jeroboam]] king of Israel, Gad had extended its possessions to [[Salcah]] in [[Bashan]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:11; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:16-17), E. of the [[Hauran]] plain, while Manasseh was pushed further N. to mount Hermon (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:23). Thus Gad and Gilead became synonymous (&nbsp;Judges 5:17). </p> <p> [[Jephthah]] is called "the Gileadite," being a native of [[Mizpeh]] of Gad (&nbsp;Judges 11:31; &nbsp;Judges 11:34; &nbsp;Joshua 13:26). In &nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:20-21, Moses said of Gad, "Blessed is He that enlargeth (i.e. God who gives a large territory to) Gad; he lieth down as a lioness, and teareth the arm, yea ( '''''Aph''''' , not with) the crown of the head (of his foes); and he provided the first part (the first-fruit portion of the land conquered by Israel) for himself, because there was the leader's (Gad's) portion reserved ( '''''Saphun''''' ), Gad at the head of the tribes asked Moses for the conquered land E. of Jordan (&nbsp;Numbers 32:2; &nbsp;Numbers 32:6; &nbsp;Numbers 32:25; &nbsp;Numbers 32:34, etc.), even as they took the lead above Reuben in fortifying the cities Dibon, etc. Their name accordingly is prominent on the Dibon stone); and he came with the heads of the people (i.e., he according to his stipulation to Moses went at the head of the tribes to conquer Canaan W. of Jordan, along with them: &nbsp;Numbers 32:17; &nbsp;Numbers 32:21; &nbsp;Numbers 32:32; &nbsp;Joshua 1:14; &nbsp;Joshua 4:12), he executed the justice of [[Jehovah]] (Moses prophetically foresees Gad will do what Jehovah required of His people as righteousness) and His judgments (in fellowship) with (the rest of) Israel." (See [[Dibon]] .) </p> <p> Their prowess is vividly portrayed in &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:8, "men of might and of war, fit, for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were the faces of lions, and as swift as the roes upon the mountains"; "one of the least was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand." In spite of the Jordan's overflow in the first month, and of the opposition of "all them of the valleys toward the E. and toward the W.," they joined David at Ziklag. Their war, in concert with Reuben, against the Hagarites, with Jetur, Nephish, and Nodab, resulted in the defeat and utter spoiling of the Hagarites, and the dispossessing them of "their steads." </p> <p> "The war was of God," and the victory was because the Gadites, etc., "cried to God in the battle and He was entreated of then, because they put their trust in Him" (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:18-22). Other famous men of Gilead or Gad were the loyal, generous, and unambitious [[Barzillai]] (&nbsp;2 Samuel 17:27-29; &nbsp;2 Samuel 19:31-40) and the prophet Elijah. The land of Gad was the battlefield for long between Syria and [[Israel]] (&nbsp;2 Kings 10:33). Gad finally was carried captive by Tiglath Pileser, and [[Ammon]] seized their land and cities (&nbsp;2 Kings 15:29; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:26; &nbsp;Jeremiah 49:1). </p>
<p> '''Gad, the [[Tribe]] of.''' The territory given to the tribe of [[Gad]] lay east of the Jordan, north of that allotted to Reuben, and south of that given to [[Manasseh]] on that side of the river. It extended from the [[Jordan]] eastward to Aroer, &nbsp;Joshua 13:24-25, including half of Mount [[Gilead]] and half of Ammon. &nbsp;Deuteronomy 3:12; &nbsp;Joshua 13:24-25. For physical features and history see Gilead. Its chief cities were Ramoth-gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Aroer. This tribe, in the wilderness, was placed with [[Simeon]] and [[Reuben]] on the south of the tabernacle; with Reuben and the half of Manasseh, it occupied the pasture grounds on the east of the Jordan. It was warlike, as is graphically stated. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:8. Two famous men came from Gad—Barzillai, &nbsp;2 Samuel 17:27, and Elijah, &nbsp;1 Kings 17:1. The territory was the battle field for wars between Syria and Israel. &nbsp;2 Kings 10:33. </p>
          
          
== International Standard Bible Encyclopedia <ref name="term_3990" /> ==
== Fausset's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_35442" /> ==
<p> (גּד , <i> ''''' gādh ''''' </i> , "fortune"; Γάδ , <i> ''''' Gád ''''' </i> ): </p> 1. The Name <p> The seventh son of Jacob, whose mother was [[Zilpah]] (&nbsp;Genesis 30:11 ), and whose birth was welcomed by [[Leah]] with the cry, "Fortunate!" Some have sought to connect the name with that of the heathen deity Gad, of which traces are found in Baal-gad, Migdal-gad, etc. In the blessing of Jacob (&nbsp;Genesis 49:19 ) there is a play upon the name, as if it meant "troop," or "marauding band." "Gad, a troop shall press upon him; but he shall press upon their heel" (Hebrew <i> ''''' gādh ''''' </i> , <i> ''''' gedhūdh ''''' </i> , <i> ''''' yeghūdhennū ''''' </i> , <i> ''''' wehū yāghūdh ‛āḳēbh ''''' </i> ). Here there is doubtless a reference to the high spirit and valor that characterized the descendants of Gad. The enemy who attacked them exposed himself to grave peril. In the blessing of Moses again (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:20 ) it is said that Gad "dwelleth as lioness, and teareth the arm, yea, the crown of the head." Leonine qualities are ascribed to the [[Gadites]] , mighty men of valor, who joined David (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:8 , &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:14 ). Their "faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountain." Among their captains "he that was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest to a thousand." </p> 2. The [[Tribe]] <p> Of the patriarch Gad almost nothing is recorded. Seven sons went down with him into Egypt, when Jacob accepted [[Joseph]] s invitation (&nbsp;Genesis 46:16 ). At the beginning of the desert march Gad numbered 45,650 "from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war" (&nbsp;Numbers 1:24 ). In the plains of [[Moab]] the number had fallen to 40,500 (&nbsp;Numbers 26:18 ). The place of Gad was with the standard of the camp of Reuben on the South side of the tabernacle (&nbsp;Numbers 2:14 ). The prince of the tribe was Eliasaph, son of [[Deuel]] (&nbsp;Numbers 1:14 ), or [[Reuel]] (&nbsp;Numbers 2:14 ). Among the spies Gad was represented by [[Geuel]] son of [[Machi]] (&nbsp;Numbers 13:15 ). See [[Numbers]] . </p> 3. The Tribal Territory <p> From time immemorial the dwellers east of the Jordan have followed the pastoral life. When Moses had completed the conquest of these lands, the spacious uplands, with their wide pastures, attracted the great flock-masters of Reuben and Gad. In response to their appeal Moses assigned them their tribal portions here: only on condition, however, that their men of war should go over with their brethren, and take their share alike in the hardship and in the glory of the conquest of Western Palestine (Nu 32). When the victorious campaigns of Joshua were completed, the warriors of Reuben and Gad returned to their possessions in the East. They halted, however, in the Jordan valley to build the mighty altar of Ed. They feared lest the gorge of the Jordan should in time become all too effective a barrier between them and their brethren on the West. This altar should be for all time a "witness" to their unity in race and faith (Josh 22). The building of the altar was at first misunderstood by the western tribes, but the explanation given entirely satisfied them. </p> 4. Boundaries <p> It is impossible to indicate with any certainty the boundaries of the territory of Gad. Reuben lay on the South, and the half-tribe of Manasseh on the North. These three occupied the whole of Eastern Palestine. The South border of Gad is given as the Arnon in &nbsp;Numbers 32:34; but six cities to the North of the Arnon are assigned in &nbsp;Numbers 32:16 to Reuben. Again, &nbsp; Joshua 13:26 makes <i> ''''' Wādy Ḥesbān ''''' </i> the southern boundary of Gad. Mesha, however (MS), says that the men of Gad dwelt in [[Ataroth]] from old time. This is far South of [[Wady]] Chesban. The writer of Nu 32 may have regarded the [[Jabbok]] as the northern frontier of Gad; but &nbsp;Joshua 13:27 extends it to the Sea of Chinnereth, making the Jordan the western boundary. It included Rabbath-ammon in the East. We have not now the information necessary to explain this apparent confusion. There can be no doubt that, as a consequence of strifes with neighboring peoples, the boundaries were often changed (&nbsp; 1 Chronicles 5:18 f). For the Biblical writers the center of interest was in Western Palestine, and the details given regarding the eastern tribes are very meager. We may take it, however, that, roughly, the land of Gilead fell to the tribe of Gad. In &nbsp; Judges 5:17 Gilead appears where we should naturally expect Gad, for which it seems to stand. The city of refuge, [[Ramoth]] in Gilead, was in the territory of Gad (&nbsp; Joshua 20:8 ). For description of the country see [[Gilead]] . </p> 5. History <p> Reuben and Gad were absent from the muster against [[Sisera]] (&nbsp;Judges 5:15 ); but they united with their brethren in taking vengeance on Benjamin, Jabesh-gilead, from which no contingent was sent, being destroyed (20 f). Jephthah is probably to be reckoned to this tribe, his house, [[Mizpah]] (&nbsp;Judges 11:34 ), being apparently within its territory (&nbsp;Joshua 13:26 ). Gad furnished a refuge for some of the Hebrews during the [[Philistine]] oppression (&nbsp;1 Samuel 13:7 ). To David, while he avoided Saul at Ziklag, certain Gadites attached themselves (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:8 ). A company of them also joined in making him king at [[Hebron]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:38 ). In Gad the adherents of the house of Saul gathered round Ish-bosheth (&nbsp;2 Samuel 2:8 ). [[Hither]] David came in his flight from [[Absalom]] (&nbsp;2 Samuel 17:24 ). Gad fell to Jeroboam at the disruption of the kingdom, and Penuel, apparently within its borders, Jeroboam fortified at first (&nbsp;1 Kings 12:25 ). It appears from the [[Moabite]] Stone that part of the territory afterward passed into the hands of Moab. Under [[Omri]] this was recovered; but Moab again asserted its supremacy. [[Elijah]] probably belonged to this district; and the brook [[Cherith]] must be sought in one of its wild secluded glens. </p> <p> Gad formed the main theater of the long struggle between Israel and the Syrians. At Ramoth-gilead [[Ahab]] received his death wound (1 Ki 22). Under Jeroboam II, this country was once more an integral part of the land of Israel. In 734 bc, however, Tiglath-pileser appeared, and conquered all Eastern Palestine, carrying its inhabitants captive (&nbsp;2 Kings 15:29; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:26 ). This seems to have furnished occasion for the children of Ammon to occupy the country (&nbsp;Jeremiah 49:1 ). In Ezekiel's ideal picture (&nbsp;Ezekiel 48:27 , &nbsp;Ezekiel 48:34 ), a place is found for the tribe of Gad. Obadiah seems to have forgotten the tribe, and their territory is assigned to [[Benjamin]] (&nbsp;Obadiah 1:19 ). Gad, however, has his place among the tribes of Israel in Rev 7. </p>
<p> The "seer" of king David (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 29:29). "The acts of David" were recorded "in the book of Gad the seer." He joined David while in "the hold," having probably first become acquainted with David in the latter's visits to Samuel and the schools of the prophets, and by his advice David left it for the forest of [[Hareth]] (&nbsp;1 Samuel 22:5). At the numbering of the people Gad was Jehovah's monitor to David (&nbsp;2 Samuel 24:11-19; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 21:9). He also took part in arranging the musical services of the temple (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 29:25). [[Jerome]] compares Gad to [[Elijah]] in the abruptness of his introduction; this concentrates all attention on his work and message, none on himself. </p>
       
== International Standard Bible Encyclopedia <ref name="term_3992" /> ==
<p> (גּד , <i> ''''' gādh ''''' </i> , "fortunate"): David's seer ( <i> ''''' ḥōzeh ''''' </i> , &nbsp;1 Chronicles 21:9; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 29:29; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 29:25 ), or prophet ( <i> ''''' nābhı̄ ''''' </i> ); compare &nbsp;1 Samuel 22:5; &nbsp;2 Samuel 24:11 ). He appears (1) to advise David while an outlaw fleeing before Saul to return to the land of Judah (&nbsp;1 Samuel 22:5 ); (2) to rebuke David and give him his choice of punishments when, in spite of the advice of [[Joab]] and the traditional objections (compare &nbsp;Exodus 30:11 ), he had counted the children of [[Israel]] (&nbsp;2 Samuel 24:11; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 21:9 ); (3) to instruct David to erect an altar on the threshing-floor of [[Araunah]] when the plague that had descended on Israel ceased (&nbsp;2 Samuel 24:18; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 21:18 ); and (4) to assist in the arrangement of [[Levitical]] music with cymbals, psalteries and harps (compare &nbsp;2 Chronicles 29:25 ). Of his writings none are known, though he is said to have written a history of a part of David's reign (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 29:29 ). </p>
          
          
==References ==
==References ==
<references>
<references>


<ref name="term_35437"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/fausset-s-bible-dictionary/gad+(1) Gad from Fausset's Bible Dictionary]</ref>
<ref name="term_70099"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/people-s-dictionary-of-the-bible/gad+(2) Gad from People's Dictionary of the Bible]</ref>
       
<ref name="term_35442"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/fausset-s-bible-dictionary/gad+(2) Gad from Fausset's Bible Dictionary]</ref>
          
          
<ref name="term_3990"> [https://bibleportal.com/encyclopedia/international-standard-bible-encyclopedia/gad+(1) Gad from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia]</ref>
<ref name="term_3992"> [https://bibleportal.com/encyclopedia/international-standard-bible-encyclopedia/gad+(2) Gad from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia]</ref>
          
          
</references>
</references>

Latest revision as of 14:13, 16 October 2021

People's Dictionary of the Bible [1]

Gad, the Tribe of. The territory given to the tribe of Gad lay east of the Jordan, north of that allotted to Reuben, and south of that given to Manasseh on that side of the river. It extended from the Jordan eastward to Aroer,  Joshua 13:24-25, including half of Mount Gilead and half of Ammon.  Deuteronomy 3:12;  Joshua 13:24-25. For physical features and history see Gilead. Its chief cities were Ramoth-gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Aroer. This tribe, in the wilderness, was placed with Simeon and Reuben on the south of the tabernacle; with Reuben and the half of Manasseh, it occupied the pasture grounds on the east of the Jordan. It was warlike, as is graphically stated.  1 Chronicles 12:8. Two famous men came from Gad—Barzillai,  2 Samuel 17:27, and Elijah,  1 Kings 17:1. The territory was the battle field for wars between Syria and Israel.  2 Kings 10:33.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary [2]

The "seer" of king David ( 1 Chronicles 29:29). "The acts of David" were recorded "in the book of Gad the seer." He joined David while in "the hold," having probably first become acquainted with David in the latter's visits to Samuel and the schools of the prophets, and by his advice David left it for the forest of Hareth ( 1 Samuel 22:5). At the numbering of the people Gad was Jehovah's monitor to David ( 2 Samuel 24:11-19;  1 Chronicles 21:9). He also took part in arranging the musical services of the temple ( 2 Chronicles 29:25). Jerome compares Gad to Elijah in the abruptness of his introduction; this concentrates all attention on his work and message, none on himself.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [3]

(גּד , gādh , "fortunate"): David's seer ( ḥōzeh ,  1 Chronicles 21:9;  1 Chronicles 29:29;  2 Chronicles 29:25 ), or prophet ( nābhı̄ ); compare  1 Samuel 22:5;  2 Samuel 24:11 ). He appears (1) to advise David while an outlaw fleeing before Saul to return to the land of Judah ( 1 Samuel 22:5 ); (2) to rebuke David and give him his choice of punishments when, in spite of the advice of Joab and the traditional objections (compare  Exodus 30:11 ), he had counted the children of Israel ( 2 Samuel 24:11;  1 Chronicles 21:9 ); (3) to instruct David to erect an altar on the threshing-floor of Araunah when the plague that had descended on Israel ceased ( 2 Samuel 24:18;  1 Chronicles 21:18 ); and (4) to assist in the arrangement of Levitical music with cymbals, psalteries and harps (compare  2 Chronicles 29:25 ). Of his writings none are known, though he is said to have written a history of a part of David's reign ( 1 Chronicles 29:29 ).

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