The Tribe of Gad, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, traces its lineage to Gad, the seventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant (Genesis 30:9-11). The tribe is known for its valor and warrior spirit, as prophesied by Jacob: "Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels" (Genesis 49:19). This martial prowess is further highlighted in the blessing of Moses: "Blessed is he who enlarges Gad’s domain! Gad dwells like a lion, tearing at arm or head" (Deuteronomy 33:20).

Families and Clans

The genealogical records of the Tribe of Gad are detailed in the Book of Numbers, which lists the families and clans that descended from Gad. During the census in the wilderness, the tribe was divided into several families, each named after Gad's sons:

1. Zephonites: Descendants of Zephon (also known as Ziphion), one of the sons of Gad. The Zephonites are mentioned in the census of the Israelites in the wilderness (Numbers 26:15).

2. Haggites: This family descends from Haggi, another son of Gad. The Haggites are noted for their inclusion in the tribal census (Numbers 26:15).

3. Shunites: The Shunites are the descendants of Shuni, a son of Gad. They are listed among the families of Gad in the wilderness census (Numbers 26:15).

4. Oznites: This clan comes from Ozni, one of Gad's sons. The Oznites are recorded in the genealogical listings of the tribe (Numbers 26:16).

5. Erites: Descendants of Eri, another son of Gad, the Erites are included in the census of the tribe (Numbers 26:16).

6. Arodites: The Arodites are the family descending from Arod, a son of Gad. They are mentioned in the tribal records (Numbers 26:17).

7. Arelites: This family comes from Areli, one of the sons of Gad. The Arelites are part of the genealogical account of the tribe (Numbers 26:17).

Territory and Settlement

The Tribe of Gad settled on the eastern side of the Jordan River, in the region known as Gilead. This territory was well-suited for their pastoral lifestyle, providing ample grazing land for their flocks and herds. The Gadites, along with the Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, requested and received this land from Moses before the conquest of Canaan (Numbers 32:1-5, 33).

The Gadites played a significant role in the military campaigns of Israel, often serving as valiant warriors. Their strategic location on the eastern frontier of Israel made them a buffer against invading forces, and their reputation as fierce fighters was well-earned.

Notable Figures

One of the most notable figures from the Tribe of Gad is Jephthah, a judge of Israel, who delivered the Israelites from the oppression of the Ammonites (Judges 11). Another significant figure is Barzillai the Gileadite, who provided for King David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 17:27-29).

The Tribe of Gad, with its strong familial clans and strategic territory, played a crucial role in the history and defense of Israel. Their legacy as warriors and their commitment to the covenant community of Israel are enduring aspects of their identity.Numbers 26:15-17
The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The
... by one of the tribe of Judah, he then again proposed the lot to the several families
thereto belonging ... Now when the tribe of Reuben, and that of Gad, and as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how joshua the.htm

The Israelites
... and it may be that the name of the tribe of Benjamin ... been "the sons" of Reuben or
Judah, of Simeon or Gad. But they were all families within a single family. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Were Christ and the Apostles Mistaken?
... 4. "These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites ... And the
children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/iv were christ and the.htm

The Pentateuch.
... From the notices contained in Genesis, we learn that the families of the ... region beyond
Jordan to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... established beyond the Jordan at the time that Gad and Reuben ... It is not certain that
all the families which constituted the half-tribe of Manasseh ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... such interfered with services due by them to their families, over which, in ... The children
of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Chapter xxxv
... thought ("in thy seed shall all the families of the ... of Jerusalem on old territory
of the tribe of Benjamin ... sons of Zilpah, the handmaid of Leah"Gad and Asher ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... Meshek) mentioned here do not represent the main body of the tribe, established
in ... was confiscated, and the women and children of the best families were made ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... in Genesis 12:3, "In thee all the families of the ... in the front, Judah, as the principal
tribe, is encamped ... who was born immediately after him, and Gad, one of ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... thought ("in thy seed shall all the families of the ... of Jerusalem on old territory
of the tribe of Benjamin ... sons of Zilpah, the handmaid of Leah"Gad and Asher ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Questions about People in the Bible (All) | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the land of Gilead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Were Jacob's prophecies about his sons fulfilled? | GotQuestions.org

Gad: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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