Lexical Summary
Gilad: Gilead
Original Word:גִּלְעָד
Part of Speech:proper name, of a location; proper name, masculine; proper name, of a location; proper name, masculine; proper name, masculine a.
Transliteration:Gil`ad
Pronunciation:ghil-AWD
Phonetic Spelling:(ghil-awd')
KJV: Gilead, Gileadite
NASB:Gilead, Gileadites, Gilead's
Word Origin:[probably fromH1567 (גַּליֵד - Galeed)]
1. Gilad, a region East of the Jordan
2. also the name of three Israelites
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Gilead, Gileadite
Probably fromGal'ed; Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites -- Gilead, Gileadite.
see HEBREWGal'ed
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
galaDefinitiona region in Pal., also the name of several Isr.
NASB TranslationGilead (99), Gilead's (1), Gileadites (2), Jabesh-gilead* (12).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, land & city, east of Jordan (compare Arabic
durus, fortis Frey, so Thes; Hi
Geschichte. Israel 26 compare same √ used of
camel (
camelus robustus ac firmus, compare Hom
NS 144), whence
camel hump, originally name of mountain) —
Genesis 37:25 79t. (mostly as
and in combination with other
compare below);Genesis 31:21 50t. (so usually as name of mountain and land);Numbers 32:39;1 Chronicles 27:21;2 Samuel 24:6; —Gilead, used of territory between the Arnon and the Jabbok, modernBel‡a; also of that between the Jabbok and the Jarmuk, modernJebel Ajlûn; also of the entire east Jordan land occupied by Israel, including both the parts just named (compare DiGenesis 31:54 StuJudges 10:4; BdPal 178; also L. OliphantLand of Gilead, 1880); —
territory south of Jabbok,
Numbers 32:29 (P),Numbers 32:1 (JE), both connected with Reuben and Gad; soDeuteronomy 3:12; also1 Chronicles 5:9 (of Reuben);1 Kings 4:19 (of Sihon and Og); compare1 Samuel 13:7; further,
alone,Judges 10:17 (or possibly here name of city ?),Judges 11:29 (probably); also1 Chronicles 5:10 (of Reuben)1 Chronicles 5:16 (of Gad); compareJoshua 12:2 (of Sihon), soJoshua 12:5 (both D);
alone (without article) in poetryPsalm 60:9 ("" Manasseh) =Psalm 108:9; but also in prose in phrasesJudges 10:18,Judges 10:18;Judges 11:8,Judges 11:5,7,8,9,10,11,Judges 12:4 (twice in verse);Judges 12:5; compare also
Numbers 32:26 (J E; of Reuben and Gad); so of Jephthah's burial-placeJudges 12:7; evenJoshua 13:25 (P; of Gad); besides these, or particular cities, especiallyDeuteronomy 4:43 (of Gad); compareJoshua 20:8 (P),1 Chronicles 6:65 (of Gad), andJoshua 21:38 (P); usually1 Kings 4:13;1 Kings 22:3,4,6,12,15,20,29 2Chron 18:2; 18:3; 18:5; 18:11; 18:14; 18:19; 18:28;2 Kings 8:28;2 Kings 9:1;2 Kings 9:4;2 Kings 9:14; 2Chron 22:5; alsoJudges 11:29 (twice in verse); further1 Chronicles 26:31.
,
Joshua 17:5,6 (J E; of Manasseh) compareJudges 10:4;1 Chronicles 2:22 (both of Jair);Genesis 31:21,23,25 (E); probably also (no article)Songs 4:1 (compareSongs 6:5 below).
aloneNumbers 32:40 (J E; of Machir)Joshua 17:1 (J E;id.) compareJoshua 13:11 (D)Deuteronomy 2:36;1 Kings 4:13 (of Jair);Deuteronomy 3:15,16 (boundary of Reuben and Gad); probably alsoSongs 6:5 (compareSongs 4:1 above); compareDeuteronomy 3:13; &Joshua 13:31 (P; of Machir);2 Samuel 24:6 (probably); compare also
(no article) probablyJeremiah 8:22;Jeremiah 46:11 (in both reference tobalm, probably from the wooded Northern Gilead); similarlyJeremiah 22:6; and1 Chronicles 27:21 alsoNumbers 32:39 (J E; of Machir).
(city)Judges 21:8,9,10,12,14;1 Samuel 11:1,9 ("" alone)1 Samuel 31:11 (""id.) =1 Chronicles 10:11;2 Samuel 2:4,5;2 Samuel 21:12; perhaps also1 Kings 17:1 (emendation, after , Ew Th and others see VB); — compare further below below —Judges 7:3and let him depart from Mt. Gilead, apparently belongs here, but is read by Cler Hi Gr Ke Be; against this compare Stu BuRS 112.
,
Joshua 22:9,13,15,32 (P; of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh; opposed to land of Canaan); compare2 Samuel 17:26; so2 Kings 10:38.
(no article)Zechariah 10:10; compareJeremiah 50:19 ("" Carmel and Bashan); alone, alsoGenesis 37:25; likewiseMicah 7:14 ("" Carmel & Bashan, reference to fertility).
alone, of Israel territory in General east of Jordan,Judges 10:8; compare2 Samuel 2:9;2 Kings 10:33 (of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh);Deuteronomy 3:10;Deuteronomy 34:1; also in General senseEzekiel 47:18;2 Kings 15:29 (?) Obadiah 19..
, name of a cityHosea 6:8 (&Judges 10:17 ? compare
above); — on the ruined citiesJil±âd, Jil±aud on theJebel Jil±âd, north ofEs-Sal‰, and south ofJabbo‡ see DiGenesis 31:54 & references
of Israelites living east of Jordan (as a whole)Judges 20:1; of people of GileadAmos 1:3,13; soJudges 5:17 (= ),Judges 12:4,5 (""Judges 12:4;Judges 12:4;Judges 12:5)Hosea 12:12. compare also below
, son of Machir & grandson of ManassehNumbers 26:29 (twice in verse);Numbers 26:30;Numbers 27:1;Numbers 36:1;Joshua 17:3 (all P)1 Chronicles 2:21,23;1 Chronicles 7:14,17; onceJoshua 17:1 (JE) compare Di; — reference in all these to Northern Gilead.
Judges 11:1,2; — reference to Gad (compare above especially below ).
1 Chronicles 5:14 (a Gadite).
Topical Lexicon
Geographical SettingSituated east of the Jordan River, Gilead stretches roughly from the Sea of Galilee to the northern end of the Dead Sea, bounded westward by the Jordan and eastward by the plateau that rises toward the Syrian Desert. Two dominant north–south ridges, cut by the Jabbok and Yarmuk rivers, create a fertile, well-watered hill country famous for its flocks, forests of oak and terebinth, and the prized “balm of Gilead.” Because the term sometimes embraces the whole Transjordan (Joshua 22:9) and at other times only its central hill mass (Judges 5:17), context is essential in each of the approximately 134 occurrences.
Patriarchal Foundations
The name first appears when Jacob and Laban erect a heap of stones as a covenant boundary: “Laban said, ‘This heap is a witness between you and me this day.’ Therefore it was named Galeed” (Genesis 31:48). The site became a perpetual reminder that God watches over promises and preserves His people even in exile.
Conquest and Tribal Allotment
After Israel defeated Sihon and Og, Moses assigned the land to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32;Deuteronomy 3). “So Moses gave Gilead to Machir son of Manasseh, and he settled there” (Numbers 32:40). Joshua later confirmed these borders (Joshua 13:24-31; 17:1-6). Ramoth Gilead, one of the six cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 4:43), highlights the region’s role as a place of asylum under God’s law.
Military and Political History
• Judges—From Gilead rose Jair (Judges 10:3-5) and Jephthah, who defeated Ammon (Judges 11).
• United Monarchy—Saul rescued Jabesh Gilead (1 Samuel 11), and David found refuge at Mahanaim during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 17-19).
• Divided Kingdom—Ramoth Gilead became a fortress contested with Aram (1 Kings 22;2 Kings 9). The persistent warfare fulfilled earlier warnings that unbelief breeds continual strife east of the Jordan.
Cities and Sites
Ramoth Gilead, Jabesh Gilead, Mahanaim, Mizpah (in Gilead), Peniel, Succoth, and Rogelim form a network of towns tied to sacrifice, sanctuary, and royal intrigue. Their accounts reveal that covenant life touches both sides of the Jordan.
Notable Figures from Gilead
• Jephthah the Gileadite—foreshadowing substitutionary sacrifice (Judges 11).
• Jair the Gileadite—model of stable leadership (Judges 10).
• Barzillai of Rogelim—loyal supporter of David (2 Samuel 17:27).
• Elijah the Tishbite—prophet of fire and rain (1 Kings 17:1). Each illustrates how God raises servants from often-overlooked places to confront national apostasy.
Prophetic Oracles and Symbolism
Gilead’s fertility became an indictment when moral corruption spread: “Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with footprints of blood” (Hosea 6:8). Jeremiah employs a double image—luxuriant forest and looming desolation: “You are like Gilead to Me…yet I will make you a desert” (Jeremiah 22:6). Zechariah envisions final restoration, “I will bring them…to the land of Gilead” (Zechariah 10:10), underscoring that judgment serves redemptive ends.
The Balm of Gilead
The resinous sap exported by Ishmaelite traders (Genesis 37:25) became a metaphor for healing grace. “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?” (Jeremiah 8:22). The implied answer—only the Lord heals the sin-wound—prepares hearts for the Great Physician.
Theological Themes
1. Covenant Witness—Gilead’s first stone heap teaches accountability before God.
2. Grace East of Jordan—though outside the geographical “heart” of Canaan, Gilead receives full inheritance rights, displaying God’s inclusive faithfulness.
3. Refuge and Justice—Ramoth Gilead highlights the balance of mercy and law.
4. Prophetic Warning and Hope—fertile hills can become barren when truth is forsaken, yet the Lord still promises restoration.
Ministry Applications
• God often fashions leaders in marginal places; obscurity is preparation, not disqualification.
• Spiritual heritage must be guarded; prosperity without obedience invites Hosea’s verdict.
• Christ is the true Balm of Gilead; preaching must direct the wounded to His atoning cure.
• The cities of refuge model the church’s calling to provide safety and righteous judgment through the gospel.
Select Key Passages
Genesis 31:48;Numbers 32:1-42;Deuteronomy 3:12-17;Joshua 13:24-31;Judges 10:3-5; 11:1-33;2 Samuel 17:24-29;1 Kings 17:1; 22:1-40;Jeremiah 8:22; 22:6;Hosea 6:8;Zechariah 10:10.
Gilead—land of witness, warfare, healing, and hope—stands as a living testimony that the Lord both judges and restores, shelters and sends, always true to His covenant promises.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּגִלְעָ֔ד בַּגִּלְעָ֑ד בַּגִּלְעָ֖ד בַּגִּלְעָ֗ד בַּגִּלְעָ֥ד בַּגִּלְעָֽד׃ בַּגִּלְעָד֙ בגלעד בגלעד׃ גִּלְעָ֑ד גִּלְעָ֔ד גִּלְעָ֔דָה גִּלְעָ֕ד גִּלְעָ֖ד גִּלְעָ֖דָה גִּלְעָ֗ד גִּלְעָ֛ד גִּלְעָ֜ד גִּלְעָ֤ד גִּלְעָ֥ד גִּלְעָ֧ד גִּלְעָֽד׃ גִּלְעָד֙ גִלְעָ֔ד גִלְעָ֖ד גִלְעָ֗ד גִלְעָ֛ד גִלְעָ֜ד גִלְעָ֨ד ׀ גִלְעָֽד׃ גִלְעָד֙ גִלְעָד֮ גלעד גלעד׃ גלעדה הַגִּלְעָ֑ד הַגִּלְעָ֔ד הַגִּלְעָ֔דָה הַגִּלְעָ֖ד הַגִּלְעָ֗ד הַגִּלְעָ֛ד הַגִּלְעָ֜ד הַגִּלְעָ֤ד הַגִּלְעָ֥ד הַגִּלְעָֽד׃ הַגִּלְעָד֙ הגלעד הגלעד׃ הגלעדה וְגִלְעָ֑ד וְגִלְעָ֖ד וְהַגִּלְעָ֖ד וְהַגִּלְעָ֞ד וגלעד והגלעד לְגִלְעָ֕ד לַגִּלְעָֽד׃ לגלעד לגלעד׃ מִגִּלְעָ֑ד מגלעד bag·gil·‘āḏ baggil‘āḏ baggilAd bə·ḡil·‘āḏ bəḡil‘āḏ begilAd gil‘āḏ ḡil‘āḏ gil‘āḏāh gil·‘ā·ḏāh gil·‘āḏ ḡil·‘āḏ gilAd gilAdah hag·gil·‘ā·ḏāh hag·gil·‘āḏ haggil‘āḏ haggil‘āḏāh haggilAd haggilAdah lag·gil·‘āḏ laggil‘āḏ laggilAd lə·ḡil·‘āḏ ləḡil‘āḏ legilAd mig·gil·‘āḏ miggil‘āḏ miggilAd vegilAd vehaggilAd wə·ḡil·‘āḏ wə·hag·gil·‘āḏ wəḡil‘āḏ wəhaggil‘āḏ
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