Topical Bible: Murder: People of Gilead

◄ Murder: People of Gilead ►

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The topic of murder among the people of Gilead is a significant theme in the biblical narrative, reflecting the broader moral and spiritual challenges faced by the Israelites. Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River, was known for its balm and rugged terrain, but it also became notable in Scripture for instances of violence and bloodshed.

Historical Context

Gilead was inhabited by several tribes of Israel, including Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The region's strategic location made it a site of frequent conflict and warfare, both with neighboring nations and internal tribal disputes. The biblical accounts of murder in Gilead often highlight the moral decline and the need for justice and righteousness among God's people.

Biblical Instances

1. Jephthah and the Ephraimites: One of the most notable accounts involving murder in Gilead is the conflict between Jephthah, a judge of Israel from Gilead, and the tribe of Ephraim. After Jephthah's victory over the Ammonites, the Ephraimites accused him of not calling them to battle. This led to a violent confrontation, resulting in the death of many Ephraimites. Judges 12:4-6 recounts, "Jephthah then gathered all the men of Gilead and fought with Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck down Ephraim, because they had said, 'You Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim, living in Ephraim and Manasseh.'"

2. Gilead as a Symbol of Violence: The prophet Hosea condemns the inhabitants of Gilead for their bloodshed and iniquity. Hosea 6:8 states, "Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with footprints of blood." This verse underscores the pervasive violence and moral corruption that had taken root in the region, serving as a metaphor for Israel's broader spiritual unfaithfulness.

3. The Transjordan Tribes' Altar: In Joshua 22, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar by the Jordan River, which was initially misunderstood by the other tribes as an act of rebellion. Although this incident did not result in murder, it highlights the potential for conflict and bloodshed among the tribes of Israel, including those in Gilead, due to misunderstandings and lack of communication.

Theological Implications

The accounts of murder and violence in Gilead serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the departure from God's commandments. The biblical narrative consistently calls for justice, righteousness, and adherence to God's law as the foundation for peace and harmony among His people. The prophets' denunciations of Gilead's bloodshed reflect God's desire for His people to turn away from violence and return to Him in repentance and faithfulness.

Moral Lessons

The accounts of murder in Gilead emphasize the importance of unity, communication, and understanding among God's people. They also highlight the need for leaders who are committed to justice and righteousness, as well as the dangers of pride, jealousy, and tribalism. These lessons remain relevant for believers today, calling for a commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the pursuit of God's will in all aspects of life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 6:8
Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Cities of Refuge
... the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of ... uselessness of violent changes forced
on people who are ... homicide, and for him only, Deliberate murder had no ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the cities of refuge.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... fell at once from Heaven, and the people shouted "The ... rebuke him for having permitted
the murder of a ... Ahab went out to recover Ramoth Gilead, wilfully trusting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

The Maccabees.
... but a wicked rebel named Trypho, who designed the murder of his ... assassinating Jonathan
in the land of Gilead, BC143 ... that the Jews were a free people, and that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xviii the maccabees.htm

The Captivity.
... He collected his people, and renewed the Covenant, he rooted ... under Mount Carmel,
and intending to march through Gilead. ... were the Jews at this murder of Gedaliah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

Zechariah
... brought home from Egypt and Assyria to Gilead and Lebanon ... saved, xii.1-8. Then the
people and their ... and entreat forgiveness for some judicial murder which they ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/zechariah.htm

The First Kings.
... came pouring in, and Saul marched to Jabesh-Gilead. ... who was at length proclaimed
king by all the people. ... was bribed and intoxicated to make him commit murder. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... 21), in which cases the numbering of the people, and the ... that God permitted Ahab
to perpetrate that murder, is that ... Ahab to go up to Ramoth-Gilead contrary to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

The King.
... He sends grateful messages to Jabesh-Gilead; he will ... again in his indignation at
Joab's murder of Abner ... We have a glimpse of his people's unbounded confidence ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... he heard that the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead had buried ... to have had any hand in
this murder, contrary to the ... However, he commanded all the people to weep and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

The Historical Books.
... in delivering the people of Jabesh-gilead from the ... him and his kingdom"Amnon's incest,
the murder of Amnon ... by David's sin in numbering the people, for which ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm