The term "Gileadite" refers to individuals originating from the region of Gilead, a mountainous area east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and rugged terrain. Gilead is a significant location in biblical history, often associated with the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The Gileadites are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting their role in Israel's history and their notable figures.

Geographical and Tribal Context

Gilead is a fertile region, often described in the Bible for its balm, a resin used for medicinal purposes. The area was allocated to the tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh during the division of the Promised Land (Numbers 32:1-5). The Gileadites, therefore, are primarily associated with these tribes. The land of Gilead is mentioned in several passages, including Genesis 31:21, where Jacob fled from Laban, and Jeremiah 8:22, which famously asks, "Is there no balm in Gilead?"

Notable Gileadites

1. Jephthah the Gileadite: One of the most prominent figures identified as a Gileadite is Jephthah, a judge of Israel. Jephthah is introduced in Judges 11:1 as "Jephthah the Gileadite, a mighty warrior." Despite being the son of a prostitute, Jephthah rose to leadership when the elders of Gilead sought his help against the Ammonites. His account is marked by his vow to the LORD, which led to the tragic sacrifice of his daughter (Judges 11:30-39).

2. Jair the Gileadite: Another judge from Gilead, Jair, is mentioned in Judges 10:3-5. He judged Israel for twenty-two years and had thirty sons who rode thirty donkeys and controlled thirty towns in Gilead, known as Havvoth Jair.

3. Barzillai the Gileadite: A wealthy and loyal supporter of King David, Barzillai provided for David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 17:27-29). His loyalty and generosity are noted in 2 Samuel 19:31-39, where David offers to care for him in Jerusalem, but Barzillai declines due to his old age.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Gileadites, as part of the Transjordan tribes, played a crucial role in the defense and expansion of Israel's territory. Their location made them a buffer against eastern invaders, and their warriors were known for their valor. The Gileadites' identity is closely tied to their land, which was both a blessing for its resources and a challenge due to its proximity to hostile neighbors.

Biblical References

· Judges 11:1 : "Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was his father."
· Judges 10:3-4 : "After him, Jair the Gileadite arose and judged Israel twenty-two years. He had thirty sons who rode thirty donkeys, and they controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth Jair."
· 2 Samuel 17:27-29 : "When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, 'The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.'"

The Gileadites, through their leaders and their land, have left a lasting imprint on the biblical narrative, embodying themes of leadership, loyalty, and the complexities of human vows and relationships with God.3454. Yeshishay -- a Gileadite
... 3453, 3454. Yeshishay. 3455 . a Gileadite. Transliteration: Yeshishay Phonetic
Spelling: (yesh-ee-shah'-ee) Short Definition: Jeshishai. ...
/hebrew/3454.htm - 6k

2507a. Cheleq -- a Gileadite
... Cheleq. 2507b . a Gileadite. Transliteration: Cheleq Short Definition: Helek.
Word Origin from chalaq Definition a Gileadite NASB Word Usage Helek (2). ...
/hebrew/2507a.htm - 5k

3163. Yachdo -- a Gileadite
... 3162, 3163. Yachdo. 3164 . a Gileadite. Transliteration: Yachdo Phonetic
Spelling: (yakh-doe') Short Definition: Jahdo. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3163.htm - 6k

3316. Yiphtach -- "He opens," a Gileadite, also a city of Judah
... Yiphtach. 3317 . "He opens," a Gileadite, also a city of Judah. Transliteration:
Yiphtach Phonetic Spelling: (yif-tawkh') Short Definition: Jephthah. ...
/hebrew/3316.htm - 6k

4244. Machlah -- a daughter of Zelophehad, also a Gileadite
... 4243, 4244. Machlah. 4245 . a daughter of Zelophehad, also a Gileadite.
Transliteration: Machlah Phonetic Spelling: (makh-law') Short Definition: Mahlah. ...
/hebrew/4244.htm - 6k

2507. Cheleq -- a Gileadite
... 2506, 2507. Cheleq. 2507a . a Gileadite. Transliteration: Cheleq Phonetic
Spelling: (khay'-lek) Short Definition: Helek. Helek The ...
/hebrew/2507.htm - 5k

1569. Giladi -- a descendant of Gilead, also an inhabitant of ...
... a descendant of Gilead, also an inhabitant of Gilead. Transliteration: Giladi Phonetic
Spelling: (ghil-aw-dee') Short Definition: Gileadite. ... Gileadite. ...
/hebrew/1569.htm - 6k

1568. Gilad -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several ...
... Gilead, Gileadite. Probably from Gal'ed; Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also
the name of three Israelites -- Gilead, Gileadite. see HEBREW Gal'ed. ...
/hebrew/1568.htm - 6k

Barzillai
... easy" (p.328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced
in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/barzillai.htm

Jephthah's Foolish Promise
... Jephthah, the Gileadite, was an able warrior, but he was the son of a wicked woman,
and had fled from his relatives and lived in the land of Tob. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jephthahs foolish promise.htm

Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch.
... And Gideon delivered it to Abimelech. And Abimelech delivered it to Taleg. And Taleg
delivered it to Babin the Gileadite. And Babin delivered it to Jiphtach. ...
/.../doubtful fragments on the pentateuch.htm

What Charge David Gave Tohis Son Solomon at the Approach of his ...
... I also commit to thee the son of Barzillai the Gileadite, whom, in order to gratify
me, thou shalt have in great honor, and take great care of; for we have not ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 what charge david.htm

We May Make no Promise that is Wrong, and if we have Made an ...
... became a rule and a law in Israel from year to year, as it says: "that the daughters
of Israel went to lament the daughter of Jephtha the Gileadite four days ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xii we may make.htm

The Songs of the Fugitive.
... Therefore this pauper sovereign, discrowned and fed by the charity of the Gileadite
pastoral chief, sings, "Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xv the songs of the.htm

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... 4. But David desired Barzillai the Gileadite, that great and good man, and one that
had made a plentiful provision for him at Mahanaim, and had conducted him ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm

The Ascension of Isaiah.
... It is true also that, according to the Greek version of Amos, the Damascenes sawed
asunder the Gileadite women; [281] but the writer in the Epistle is not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the ascension of isaiah.htm

Continued.
... psalm, unless, with some commentators, we see an allusion in that image of the
furnished table to the seasonable hospitality of the Gileadite chieftains during ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iii early dayscontinued.htm

That the Judges who Succeeded Gideon Made War with the Adjoining ...
... went to their own homes. 6. Now it was that Jair the Gileadite, [16] of
the tribe of Manasseh, took the government. He was a man ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 that the judges.htm

Gileadite (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gileadite (10 Occurrences). ... Judges 10:3 After him arose
Jair, the Gileadite; and he judged Israel twenty-two years. ...
/g/gileadite.htm - 9k

Barzillai (10 Occurrences)
... Of iron. (1.) A Meholathite, the father of Adriel (2 Samuel 21:8). (2.) A Gileadite
of Rogelim who was distinguished for his loyalty to David. ...
/b/barzillai.htm - 12k

Barzil'lai (10 Occurrences)
... to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and
Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim ...
/b/barzil'lai.htm - 9k

Rogelim (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Fullers, a town of Gilead, the residence of Barzillai
the Gileadite (2 Samuel 17:27; 19:31), probably near to Mahanaim. Int. ...
/r/rogelim.htm - 7k

Jephthah (26 Occurrences)
... (see SHIBBOLETH.) "Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the
cities of Gilead" (7). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JEPHTHAH. ...
/j/jephthah.htm - 20k

Koz (5 Occurrences)
... the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai,
who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was ...
/k/koz.htm - 8k

Ro'gelim (2 Occurrences)
... to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and
Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim ...
/r/ro'gelim.htm - 6k

Chimham (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Pining, probably the youngest son of Barzillai the
Gileadite (2 Samuel 19:37-40). The "habitation of Chimham ...
/c/chimham.htm - 10k

Habaiah (2 Occurrences)
... the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai,
who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was ...
/h/habaiah.htm - 7k

Hakkoz (6 Occurrences)
... the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai,
who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was ...
/h/hakkoz.htm - 9k

What is the meaning of shibboleth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Barzillai in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Jephthah? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus