◄ 1408. Gad ►
Lexical Summary
Gad: Gad

Original Word: גַּד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Gad
Pronunciation: gahd
Phonetic Spelling: (gad)
KJV: that troop
Word Origin: [a variation of H1409 (גָּד - fortunate)]

1. Fortune, a Babylonian deity

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Fortune, a Babylonian deity

A variation of gad; Fortune, a Babylonian deity -- that troop.

see HEBREW gad

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
perhaps of foreign origin
Definition
"fortune," a Bab. god.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and origin

Strong’s Hebrew 1408 (גַּד, gad) denotes “fortune” or “good luck,” the idea of a power that dispenses favorable outcomes. The term never appears in Scripture as an independent word; its presence is felt through compound names and in the older religious atmosphere of Canaan.

Presence in compound place-names

• Baal-gad (Joshua 11:17; 12:7; 13:5) – “Lord of Fortune,” a site at the foot of Mount Hermon.
• Migdal-gad (Joshua 15:37) – “Tower of Fortune,” in the Shephelah of Judah.
• Possibly preserved in En Gedi (“Spring of fortune/goat,” Joshua 15:62) and other toponyms.

Israel’s geography therefore carried reminders of former pagan expectations of luck that stood in tension with covenant faith.

Contrast with Gad son of Jacob

The patriarch Gad (Strong’s 1410) commemorates God’s gracious provision (Genesis 30:11), whereas 1408 points to an impersonal fate. Scripture keeps the concepts distinct so that blessing is traced to the LORD, not to luck.

Ancient Near Eastern background

In Northwest Semitic culture Gad was venerated as a minor deity of prosperity. Inscriptions mention “Gad of Tyre,” and oath formulas invoke Gad as lord of fortune. Such material helps explain why later prophets could assume their audience knew of a cult of “Fortune.”

Biblical rebuke of fortune worship

Isaiah castigates apostate Judah for syncretistic rites: “You who forsake the LORD, who forget My holy mountain, who prepare a table for Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny” (Isaiah 65:11). Though a vocalization variant is catalogued under Strong’s 1409, the underlying root is that of 1408. The prophet exposes people who seek luck instead of trusting the covenant God.

Theological themes

1. Sovereignty: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). Only God governs outcomes.
2. Blessing through obedience: Deuteronomy 28:1-10 links prosperity to faithfulness, not to chance.
3. Christ as the locus of blessing: “In Him we have obtained an inheritance” (Ephesians 1:11). The gospel replaces fortune with providence.

New Testament echoes

Paul warns that pagan sacrifices are offered “to demons and not to God” (1 Corinthians 10:20). Revelation 9:20 condemns idol worship. These passages extend the Old Testament verdict against reliance on fortune into the church era.

Ministry applications

• Expose modern forms of “Fortune” (horoscopes, lucky charms, gambling) as substitutes for trust in God.
• Teach providence: encourage prayerful dependence—“Your will be done”—rather than appeals to luck.
• Use Canaanite place-names when preaching from Joshua to illustrate the enduring clash between faith and superstition.
• Lead believers to memorize promises like Romans 8:28, replacing fatalism with confidence in divine purpose.

Discipleship takeaway

Strong’s 1408 reminds the church that the lure of luck is perennial but hollow. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:3). God’s sure blessing renders all pursuit of fortune unnecessary and spiritually dangerous.

Links
Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts
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