Topical Bible: Cattle: Gilead Adapted to the Raising of

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Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a land well-suited for cattle and livestock. This area, characterized by its fertile pastures and rolling hills, provided an ideal environment for the raising of cattle, which were an essential part of the agrarian economy and daily life in ancient Israel.

The suitability of Gilead for cattle is first highlighted in the context of the tribes of Reuben and Gad. In Numbers 32:1 , it is noted, "The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock." This observation led these tribes to request that Moses allow them to settle in Gilead rather than crossing the Jordan into Canaan. Their request underscores the region's reputation as a prime location for pastoral activities.

The topography and climate of Gilead contributed to its suitability for cattle. The region's hills and valleys provided ample grazing land, while its climate supported the growth of grasses and other vegetation necessary for feeding livestock. The presence of water sources, such as the Jabbok River, further enhanced its desirability for those engaged in animal husbandry.

In the biblical narrative, Gilead's association with cattle is not only practical but also symbolic. The prosperity and abundance of cattle in Gilead are often seen as a sign of God's blessing and provision. In the Song of Solomon 4:1 , the beauty and fertility of the land are poetically likened to the beloved's features: "Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead." This imagery reflects the lushness and vitality of the region, which was well-known for its thriving livestock.

Moreover, the prophet Jeremiah references Gilead in a metaphorical sense, highlighting its reputation for healing and abundance. In Jeremiah 8:22 , he asks, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" While this passage primarily speaks to spiritual healing, it also alludes to the region's natural resources, which included not only fertile land for cattle but also medicinal products like the famous balm.

Throughout the Old Testament, Gilead remains a symbol of pastoral wealth and divine favor. Its suitability for cattle raising is a testament to the region's natural endowments and its integral role in the life and economy of the Israelite tribes. The biblical portrayal of Gilead as a land rich in resources continues to evoke images of God's provision and the blessings of a bountiful land.

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Numbers 32:1-4
Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle;
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Library

Chapter xlvi
... resources can hardly have involved leaving "the cattle" behind ... Manasseh's son Machir
and his son Gilead ate there ... as such from antiquity and well adapted to the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... The right bank, on the contrary, is seamed with fertile valleys, sufficiently well
watered to permit the growth of cereals and the raising of cattle. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Some half-savage tribes were accustomed to wander over the plain, dwelling in tents,
and supporting life by the chase and by the rearing of cattle; but the ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... the survivors re-entered Europe through the Caspian Gates, another wandered for
some time between the Araxes and the Halys, seeking a country adapted to their ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm