Lexical Summary Giladi: Gileadite Original Word: גִּלְעָדִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gileadite Patronymically from Gil'ad; a Giladite or descendant of Gilad -- Gileadite. see HEBREW Gil'ad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Gilad Definition a desc. of Gilead, also an inhab. of Gilead NASB Translation Gileadite (9), Gileadites (1), Gileadites* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גִּלְעָדִי adjective, of a people; — 1 of גִּלְעָד 6a. Numbers 26:29. 2 of 5 Judges 11:1,40; Judges 12:7. 3 of ׳ג proper name, of a location Judges 10:3; 2 Samuel 17:27; 2 Samuel 19:32; 1 Kings 2:7; Ezra 2:61 = Nehemiah 7:63; compare בְּנֵי גִלְעָדִים 2 Kings 15:25; — compare also below גִּלְעָד 5 Topical Lexicon Geographical and Tribal Setting “Gilead” designates the fertile, mountainous territory east of the Jordan River that became the inheritance of half the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:39–42). A “Gileadite” is, therefore, a native or inhabitant of that region. The term arises first when the clan of Gilead within Manasseh is counted (Numbers 26:29), then reappears across Israel’s history to identify individuals marked by valor, loyalty, and covenant consciousness. Occurrences and Literary Distribution The epithet appears eleven times, scattered across the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, and the post-exilic lists. Its usage moves from tribal genealogy (Numbers) to the era of the Judges, through the united and divided monarchies, and finally into the restoration community (Ezra and Nehemiah). Thus it traces a continuous witness to Gilead’s contribution throughout redemptive history. Notable Gileadites 1. Jair (Judges 10:3) – “Jair the Gileadite rose up and judged Israel twenty-two years.” Though little is recorded beyond his peaceful tenure and his thirty sons governing thirty towns, Jair’s rule highlights Gilead’s capacity to provide stable leadership when Canaan was fractured. 2. Jephthah (Judges 11–12) – Introduced as “a mighty warrior” (Judges 11:1), Jephthah delivered Israel from Ammon. His narrative balances courageous faith—grounded in a solid grasp of Israel’s covenant history—with the tragedy of a rash vow. Gilead’s rugged frontier produced a judge who both trusted the LORD’s promises and exhibited the sobering cost of ungoverned zeal. 3. Barzillai (2 Samuel 17:27; 2 Samuel 19:31; 1 Kings 2:7) – In David’s exile during Absalom’s revolt, Barzillai “brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour … for David and all the people” (2 Samuel 17:28–29). His hospitality sustained the anointed king at his lowest point. David later charged Solomon, “Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite” (1 Kings 2:7), making his loyalty a model for generational blessing. 4. Loyal Warriors under Pekah (2 Kings 15:25) – Even when the Northern Kingdom crumbled, “fifty men from the Gileadites” were known for their martial prowess. Their appearance in a coup shows Gilead’s ongoing military significance under Israelite kings. 5. Post-Exilic Descendants (Ezra 2:61; Nehemiah 7:63) – Some priests returning from Babylon “had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite.” Their disqualification until genealogies were verified underscores the seriousness of priestly purity and the enduring reputation of Barzillai’s line. Themes and Ministry Insights • Covenant Loyalty and Hospitality Barzillai’s selfless aid to David exemplifies the biblical ethic of supporting God’s chosen leadership and foreshadows New Testament exhortations to “contribute to the needs of the saints” (Romans 12:13). • Deliverance through Unlikely Instruments Jephthah’s mixed heritage and Jair’s obscure background display the LORD’s pattern of raising servants from the periphery—anticipating Christ, “despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3), yet God’s ultimate Deliverer. • Heritage and Identity The persistence of the designation “Gileadite” through the exile reveals God’s preservation of tribal identities even in dispersion. Believers likewise bear a heavenly citizenship that remains intact amid cultural displacement (Philippians 3:20). • Warning against Rash Speech Jephthah’s vow (Judges 11:30–40) cautions modern disciples to weigh words before God, aligning with Jesus’ teaching, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37). Christological Echoes Gilead is famed elsewhere for its balm (Jeremiah 8:22); while the title “Gileadite” does not directly mention the balm, the people of that land who ministered healing (Barzillai) and deliverance (Jephthah, Jair) collectively anticipate the ultimate Healer. Jesus Christ embodies the true “Balm of Gilead,” binding up the broken-hearted and offering reconciliation. Applications for the Church 1. Cultivate the loyalty of Barzillai—supporting kingdom work sacrificially. In every appearance, the Gileadite stands as a reminder that God forms faithful servants on both sides of the Jordan, weaving their testimony into the unfolding account that culminates in Christ and continues in His Church today. Forms and Transliterations גִלְעָדִ֑ים גלעדים הַגִּלְעָדִ֑י הַגִּלְעָדִ֔י הַגִּלְעָדִ֖י הַגִּלְעָדִ֗י הַגִּלְעָדִֽי׃ הַגִּלְעָדִי֙ הגלעדי הגלעדי׃ ḡil‘āḏîm ḡil·‘ā·ḏîm gilaDim hag·gil·‘ā·ḏî haggil‘āḏî haggilaDiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:29 HEB: לְגִלְעָ֕ד מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַגִּלְעָדִֽי׃ NAS: the family of the Gileadites. KJV: [come] the family of the Gileadites. INT: of Gilead the family of the Gileadites Judges 10:3 Judges 11:1 Judges 11:40 Judges 12:7 2 Samuel 17:27 2 Samuel 19:31 1 Kings 2:7 2 Kings 15:25 Ezra 2:61 Nehemiah 7:63 11 Occurrences |
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