The Gileadites were a group of people from the region of Gilead, a mountainous area east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and rugged terrain. The name "Gilead" is often associated with the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who settled in this region after the Israelites entered the Promised Land. The Gileadites are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, and their history is intertwined with the broader narrative of Israel.

Geographical and Historical Context

Gilead is a region that extends from the northern part of the Dead Sea to the southern part of the Sea of Galilee. It is bounded by the Jordan River to the west and the Arabian desert to the east. The area is characterized by its fertile land and was known for producing a healing balm, often referred to as the "balm of Gilead" (Jeremiah 8:22). This balm was a valuable commodity in ancient times.

Tribal Associations

The Gileadites are primarily associated with the tribe of Manasseh, specifically the descendants of Machir, the firstborn of Manasseh. In Numbers 26:29, the Bible states, "The descendants of Manasseh: through Machir, the Machirite clan (Machir was the father of Gilead); through Gilead, the Gileadite clan." This passage highlights the genealogical link between Gilead and the tribe of Manasseh.

Notable Biblical Figures

1. Jephthah the Gileadite: One of the most prominent figures among the Gileadites 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 prominence and led the Israelites to victory against the Ammonites. His account is marked by a tragic vow that led to the sacrifice of his daughter (Judges 11:30-40).

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.

Military and Political Influence

The Gileadites played a significant role in the military and political landscape of ancient Israel. Their strategic location made them key players in the defense against external threats. In Judges 12, the Gileadites, under Jephthah's leadership, engaged in a conflict with the Ephraimites, resulting in a decisive victory for the Gileadites. This conflict is notable for the use of the word "Shibboleth" as a linguistic test to identify Ephraimites (Judges 12:5-6).

Cultural and Religious Significance

The Gileadites, like other Israelite tribes, were part of the covenant community and participated in the religious life centered around the worship of Yahweh. The region of Gilead is mentioned in various prophetic and poetic texts, often symbolizing healing and restoration. The "balm of Gilead" became a metaphor for divine healing and comfort, as seen in Jeremiah 8:22: "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?"

Conclusion

The Gileadites, as inhabitants of a significant region in biblical history, contributed to the narrative of Israel through their leaders, military exploits, and cultural impact. Their legacy is preserved in the biblical text as a testament to their role in the unfolding account of God's people.GILEADITES

gil'-e-ad-its:

(1) A branch of the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 26:29).

(2) Natives of the district of Gilead (Judges 10:3; Judges 11:1, etc.).

1569. Giladi -- a descendant of Gilead, also an inhabitant of ...
... Word Origin from Gilad Definition a desc. of Gilead, also an inhab. of Gilead NASB
Word Usage Gileadite (9), Gileadites (1), Gileadites* (1). Gileadite. ...
/hebrew/1569.htm - 6k

1568. Gilad -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several ...
... of several Isr. NASB Word Usage Gilead (99), Gilead's (1), Gileadites
(2), Jabesh-gilead* (12). Gilead, Gileadite. Probably from ...
/hebrew/1568.htm - 6k

1121. ben -- son
... 5), father* (1), fellow* (3), fellows (2), fertile* (1), foal (1), fools* (1),
foreigner* (6), foreigners (1), foreigners* (10), Gileadites* (1), grandchildren ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

Saul's Expedition against the Nation of the Ammonites and victory ...
... Now when the king of the Ammonites had served those beyond Jordan in this manner,
he led his army against those that were called Gileadites, and having pitched ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 sauls expedition against.htm

How Alexander, Upon the League of Mutual Defense which Cleopatra ...
... Both these brothers did Antiochus vehemently oppose, but presently died; for when
he was come as an auxiliary to Laodice, queen of the Gileadites, [38] when ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how alexander upon.htm

Barzillai
... in almost all the necessaries of life, and they could hardly fail also to have been
a little apprehensive of the kind of welcome the Gileadites would extend to ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/barzillai.htm

The Bright Dawn of a Reign
... If the Jabesh-Gileadites are a pattern of long-memoried gratitude, David's commendation
of them is a model of love which survives injuries, and of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the bright dawn of a.htm

The First Kings.
... eye put out. The Jabesh-Gileadites agreed to the hard conditions, unless
help reached them within seven days. Messengers hastened ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the ...
... Judges 12:6 tells us that the number of the apostate Ephraimites which fell before
the Gileadites were 42 thousand. See also 2 Kings 2:4 and 10:14. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the scope of the apocalypse.htm

Gileadites (5 Occurrences)
...GILEADITES. gil'-e-ad-its: (1) A branch of the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers
26:29). ... Multi-Version Concordance Gileadites (5 Occurrences). ...
/g/gileadites.htm - 8k

Shibboleth (1 Occurrence)
... Thus when the Ephraimites from the west invaded Gilead, and were defeated by the
Gileadites under the leadership of Jephthah, and tried to escape by the ...
/s/shibboleth.htm - 8k

Gileadite (10 Occurrences)
... Numbers 26:29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and
Machir became the father of Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites. ...
/g/gileadite.htm - 9k

Fugitives (21 Occurrences)
... all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim; and the men of Gilead struck Ephraim,
because they said, "You are fugitives of Ephraim, you Gileadites, in the ...
/f/fugitives.htm - 13k

Ephraimites (7 Occurrences)
... Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the
men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives ...
/e/ephraimites.htm - 8k

Pekahiah (4 Occurrences)
... The chief conspirator was Pekah, son of Remaliah, one of his captains, with
whom, as agent in the crime, were associated 50 Gileadites. ...
/p/pekahiah.htm - 10k

Pekah (11 Occurrences)
... Open-eyed, the son of Remaliah a captain in the army of Pekahiah, king of Israel,
whom he slew, with the aid of a band of Gileadites, and succeeded (BC 758) on ...
/p/pekah.htm - 19k

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)
... all the men of Gilead and fought with E'phraim; and the men of Gilead smote E'phraim,
because they said, "You are fugitives of E'phraim, you Gileadites, in the ...
/e/e'phraim.htm - 35k

Manas'seh (123 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Numbers 26:29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the
Machirites--and Machir begot Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites. ...
/m/manas'seh.htm - 35k

Gilead (130 Occurrences)
... terribly punished (Judges 12:1). Gilead at first favored the cause of Ishbosheth
(2 Samuel 2:9), but after the murder of that prince the Gileadites came with ...
/g/gilead.htm - 56k

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