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Gadגָּד

MaleTribe of GadH1410G11 books

Israelite tribe; descended from Gad, son of Jacob.

Who is Gad in the Bible?

Gad was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Gad, the seventh son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah's maidservant (Genesis 30:11, 35:26). The tribe was counted among the Israelites during the Exodus and positioned south of the tabernacle alongside Reuben and Simeon (Numbers 1:14, 2:14). Along with Reuben and half of Manasseh, the Gadites settled east of the Jordan River, where they became known for their military strength and valor (Numbers 32, Joshua 13:24-28). The tribe played a crucial role in Israel's history, with Gadites among the first to support David when he fled from Saul (1 Chronicles 12:8-15). Their significance lies in their prominence as warriors and faithful supporters of Israel's leadership throughout the nation's formative and monarchic periods.

Biography

Gad was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after Gad, the seventh son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and Zilpah, Leah's maidservant (Gen.30.11; 35.26). The tribe of Gad played a significant role throughout Israel's history. During the Exodus, the tribe of Gad was counted among the Israelites (Num.1.14, 24-25) and was positioned on the south side of the tabernacle, along with the tribes of Reuben and Simeon (Num.2.14). The tribe of Gad, along with Reuben and half of Manasseh, settled in the region east of the Jordan River (Numbers 32; Jos.13.24-28). They were known for their military prowess and bravery (1Ch.12.8, 14). The Gadites were among the first to help David when he was hiding from Saul (1Ch.12.8-15). They also supported David during the census and the purchase of the threshing floor for the temple (2Sa.24.5; 1Ch.21.2). The Gadites were blessed by Moses for their faithfulness and strength (Deu.33.20-21). The tribe of Gad was allotted cities and pasturelands in the region of Gilead (Jos.13.24-28; 1Ch.6.63, 80). They, along with the other tribes east of the Jordan, built an altar as a witness to their unity with the rest of Israel (Joshua 22). The Gadites were among the first tribes to be taken into captivity by the Assyrians (1Ch.5.26). In Ezekiel's vision of the restored Israel, the tribe of Gad is allotted a portion of land in the far north (Ezk.48.27-28, 34). In the book of Revelation, Gad is mentioned as one of the tribes with 12,000 sealed servants of God (Rev.7.5).

Family

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In Scripture

11 biblical books; 6 with study content
Genesis4 verses
  • Genesis 30:11

    "Then Leah said, “How fortunate!” So she named him Gad."

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  • Genesis 35:26

    "And the sons of Leah’s maidservant Zilpah were Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan-aram."

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  • Genesis 46:16

    "The sons of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli."

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  • Genesis 49:19

    "Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels."

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Exodus1 verse
Numbers5 verses
  • Numbers 1:14

    "from Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel;"

  • Numbers 1:24

    "From the sons of Gad, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,"

  • Numbers 1:25

    "those registered to the tribe of Gad numbered 45,650."

  • Numbers 2:14

    "Next will be the tribe of Gad. The leader of the Gadites is Eliasaph son of Deuel,"

  • Numbers 7:42

    "On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the Gadites, drew near."

Deuteronomy2 verses
  • Deuteronomy 27:13

    "And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali."

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  • Deuteronomy 33:20

    "Concerning Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges the domain of Gad! He lies down like a lion and tears off an arm or a head."

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Joshua5 verses
  • Joshua 4:12

    "The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over before the Israelites, armed for battle as Moses had instructed them."

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  • Joshua 13:24

    "This is what Moses had given to the clans of the tribe of Gad:"

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  • Joshua 13:28

    "This was the inheritance of the clans of the Gadites, including the cities and villages."

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  • Joshua 18:7

    "The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”"

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  • Joshua 20:8

    "And beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho, they designated Bezer on the wilderness plateau from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh."

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1 Samuel1 verse
  • 1 Samuel 13:7

    "Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, remained at Gilgal, and all his troops were quaking in fear."

Names & Aliases

FormLanguageScriptTransliterationMeaning
NamedHebrewגָּדgādGad , a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet
(same form as previous)HebrewגָּדgādGad , a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet
NamedHebrewגָּדִי—a Gadite (collectively) or descendants of Gad
(same form as previous)Hebrewגָּדִי—a Gadite (collectively) or descendants of Gad
GreekGreekΓάδ——