Gamaliel גַּמְלִיאֵל
Leader of the tribe of Manasseh during the Exodus.
Who is Gamaliel in the Bible?
Gamaliel was the son of Pedahzur and served as the leader of the tribe of Manasseh during the Israelites' wilderness journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. He appears multiple times in the book of Numbers, first listed as Manasseh's tribal leader in the census of the second year after the Exodus (Numbers 1:10), where his tribe was counted among the larger Israelite community (Numbers 1:34-35). In the arrangement of the Israelite camp, Gamaliel positioned his tribe on the west side of the tabernacle alongside Ephraim and Benjamin (Numbers 2:20). He also participated in the dedication offerings of the tabernacle, bringing his offering on the eighth day (Numbers 7:54-59). Though not a prominent figure in biblical narrative, Gamaliel represents the tribal leaders who organized and guided Israel's organized community structure during their forty-year journey in the wilderness.
Biography
Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, was the leader of the tribe of Manasseh during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. He is mentioned several times in the book of Numbers. In Num.1.10, Gamaliel is listed as the leader of Manasseh in the census taken at the beginning of the second year after the Exodus. The tribe of Manasseh, under Gamaliel's leadership, was counted as part of the larger Israelite community (Num.1.34-35). In the arrangement of the Israelite camp, Gamaliel and the tribe of Manasseh were positioned on the west side of the tabernacle, along with the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin (Num.2.20). Gamaliel also had a role in the offerings presented at the dedication of the tabernacle. He brought his offering on the eighth day, which included various animals and vessels for the tabernacle service (Num.7.54-59). When the Israelites set out from Mount Sinai, Gamaliel and the tribe of Manasseh marched under their standard, as directed by God (Num.10.23). These references to Gamaliel highlight his leadership role and the importance of the tribe of Manasseh in the organization and journey of the Israelites through the wilderness.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookNumbers 5 verses
- Numbers 1:10
"from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud, and from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur;"
- Numbers 2:20
"The tribe of Manasseh will be next to it. The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,"
- Numbers 7:54
"On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the Manassites, drew near."
- Numbers 7:59
"and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur."
- Numbers 10:23
"Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | גַּמְלִיאֵל |