Lexical Summary
Gad: Gad
Original Word:גָּד
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Gad
Pronunciation:gahd
Phonetic Spelling:(gawd)
KJV: Gad
NASB:Gad
Word Origin:[fromH1464 (גּוּד - raid)]
1. Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory
2. also a prophet
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Gad
Fromguwd; Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet -- Gad.
see HEBREWguwd
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originperhaps from
GadDefinitiona son of Jacob, also his tribe and its territory, also a prophet
NASB TranslationDibon-gad* (2), Gad (71).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
III.
71 (
fortunatus? perhaps derived from foregoing divine name Siegf
JPTh 1875, 364 Sta
Geschichte.i.148; but see also Bae
Rel 159f.) —
Genesis 35:26 +, as well as
Genesis 30:11 +; —
;
Genesis 30:11;Genesis 35:26;Genesis 46:16;Exodus 1:4 compareGenesis 49:19;1 Chronicles 2:2.
Numbers 1:14;Deuteronomy 27:13;Deuteronomy 33:20 (twice in verse);Joshua 18:7;Ezekiel 48:27,28; compare1 Samuel 13:7 see alsoJeremiah 49:1,Ezekiel 48:34, on2 Samuel 24:5 compare We Dr; explicitlyNumbers 1:25;Numbers 2:14;Numbers 13:15;Joshua 13:24;Joshua 20:8;Joshua 21:7,36;1 Chronicles 6:48;1 Chronicles 6:65; once,Numbers 10:20; (MI10 )Numbers 1:24 12t. Numbers;Joshua 4:12 14t. Joshua;1 Chronicles 5:11;1 Chronicles 12:14.
1 Samuel 22:5, but2 Samuel 24:11 & ""1 Chronicles 21:9,1 Chronicles 29:29 & 2Chronicles 29:25.
Topical Lexicon
Birth and First MentionGenesis 30:11 records Leah’s maidservant Zilpah giving Jacob a son: “Then Leah said, ‘What good fortune!’ So she named him Gad.” Through a play on words the boy’s name commemorated the idea of sudden blessing as well as martial strength. Gad became Jacob’s seventh son and the forefather of the tribe that bears his name (Genesis 35:26;Genesis 46:16).
Jacob’s Prophetic Blessing
Near his death Jacob blessed each of his sons. Concerning Gad he declared, “Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders, but he will attack their heels” (Genesis 49:19). The wordplay anticipates that Gad’s descendants would endure conflict yet ultimately prevail, a theme repeatedly verified in Israel’s later history.
Moses’ Prophetic Blessing
Moses elaborated on Gad’s military calling: “Blessed is he who enlarges Gad. He lies down like a lion and tears off arm and head. He chose the best for himself, for there the leader’s portion was reserved” (Deuteronomy 33:20-21). The tribe’s territory east of the Jordan, fronting Israel’s borderlands, placed it on the front line of defense, and its warriors were accordingly renowned.
Territory East of the Jordan
Numbers 32 recounts Gad joining Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh in requesting land already subdued from Sihon and Og. Moses granted the request on condition that Gad’s fighting men cross the Jordan to help conquer Canaan (Numbers 32:17-32). After the conquest Joshua allotted Gad a broad stretch from the middle Jordan eastward into Gilead, with Jazer, Ramoth in Gilead, and Mahanaim as key centers (Joshua 13:24-28).
Faithfulness in the Conquest
Joshua 4:12-13 testifies that forty thousand warriors from Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh crossed the Jordan armed for battle “in the presence of the LORD.” Their obedience to Moses’ mandate became a lasting example of covenant loyalty (Joshua 22:1-4).
The Eastern Altar Controversy
Joshua 22 records a tense moment when Gad and the other eastern tribes erected a great altar by the Jordan. Western Israel feared apostasy, but the builders explained that the altar was a witness, not a substitute for proper worship: “Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD” (Joshua 22:29). The incident underscores Gad’s concern that future generations remain united to the sanctuary.
Warrior Tradition
Scripture consistently portrays Gadites as elite soldiers. During Saul’s reign “valiant men from Gad” joined David in the stronghold (1 Chronicles 12:8-15). Their battle prowess is described in vivid terms: faces like lions, swift as gazelles, “the least was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand” (verse 14). Their courage fulfilled the ancient blessings of Jacob and Moses.
Settlement Life and Later History
In the days of Jotham king of Judah, “the Gadites lived next to them in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah” (1 Chronicles 5:11-17). The tribe prospered in pastoral pursuits, but its exposed frontier was vulnerable. Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria eventually deported Gad along with Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh (1 Chronicles 5:26). There is no separate return record after the exile, yet Ezekiel’s restoration vision allots Gad a portion in the renewed land (Ezekiel 48:27, 34), testifying to the tribe’s enduring covenant identity.
Gad the Prophet
A distinct individual named Gad emerges as “David’s seer” (1 Chronicles 21:9). He first counseled David to leave the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:5). Years later the LORD sent Gad to confront David over the census, offering three judgments (2 Samuel 24:11-14). His role illustrates prophetic accountability and pastoral care within the monarchy. Chronicles credits Gad, together with Nathan, with chronicling David’s reign (1 Chronicles 29:29) and with establishing musical arrangements for temple worship (2 Chronicles 29:25).
False Worship of “Gad”
Isaiah 65:11 rebukes those “who set a table for Fortune (Gad) and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny.” Here “Gad” designates a pagan deity of luck. The prophet contrasts trust in the LORD with superstitious homage to fate. The play on the name warns Israel against substituting worldly “good fortune” for covenant faithfulness.
Theological Themes
1. Providence and Blessing Gad’s name reminds believers that true fortune comes from the LORD, not chance (compareProverbs 10:22).
2. Warfare and Inheritance The tribe’s calling illustrates that God’s gifts often require courageous obedience (Ephesians 6:10-17).
3. Unity of the People of God The eastern tribes’ altar episode models how misunderstandings can be resolved through dialogue grounded in shared reverence for God’s word.
4. Prophetic Oversight Gad the seer exemplifies the ministry of correction and encouragement essential to righteous leadership.
Principal References
Birth:Genesis 30:11
Tribal Listings:Genesis 46:16;Numbers 1:24-25;Numbers 26:15-18
Jacob’s Blessing:Genesis 49:19
Moses’ Blessing:Deuteronomy 33:20-21
Territory:Joshua 13:24-28
Conquest Participation:Joshua 4:12-13;Joshua 22
Military Reputation:1 Chronicles 12:8-15
Assyrian Exile:1 Chronicles 5:26
Restoration Promise:Ezekiel 48:27, 34
Prophet Gad:1 Samuel 22:5;2 Samuel 24:11-19;1 Chronicles 21:9-19;1 Chronicles 29:29;2 Chronicles 29:25
Idolatrous “Gad”:Isaiah 65:11
Summary of Occurrences
The form גָּד (Strong’s 1410) appears about seventy-three times, most often designating Jacob’s son, his tribe, or the prophet, and once denoting the false god “Fortune.” Together these contexts trace a coherent biblical portrait: the LORD graciously grants “good fortune,” equips His people for battle, disciplines through prophetic truth, and calls them away from counterfeit trust toward wholehearted devotion.
Forms and Transliterations
גָ֑ד גָ֔ד גָ֖ד גָ֗ד גָ֛ד גָ֜ד גָ֞ד גָ֡ד גָ֣ד גָ֥ד גָּ֑ד גָּ֔ד גָּ֖ד גָּ֞ד גָּ֣ד גָּ֥ד גָּ֨ד גָּֽד׃ גָד֙ גָד֩ גָד֮ גד גד׃ הַגָּ֖ד הַגָּדִ֖י הגד הגדי וְגָ֡ד וְגָ֥ד וּלְגָ֣ד וגד ולגד לְגָ֕ד לגד Gad gāḏ ḡāḏ hag·gā·ḏî hag·gāḏ hagGad haggāḏ haggaDi haggāḏî lə·ḡāḏ leGad ləḡāḏ ū·lə·ḡāḏ uleGad ūləḡāḏ veGad wə·ḡāḏ wəḡāḏ
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