Gilead
“Hard, rocky region (or heap of witness)”
Summary
A mountainous region east of the Jordan River, famous for its balm and pastureland, allotted to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh.
☩Geography and Boundaries
Gilead was a mountainous region bounded by Bashan on the north, the Arabian plateau on the east, Moab and Ammon on the south, and the Jordan River on the west. The name means 'hard, rocky region,' describing its physical character in contrast to the soft, level soil of Bashan. The river Jabbok divided it into two parts: northern Gilead (now Jebel Ajlun) and southern Gilead (now el-Belqa). Mountains rose 2,000 to 3,500 feet high, appearing even more impressive from the west due to the depression of the Jordan valley.
☩Products and Character
Gilead was specially noted for its balm, a valuable aromatic resin exported to Egypt and famous throughout the ancient world for its healing properties. The region's abundant pasturage made it ideal for the numerous flocks and herds of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh. The land was clothed with rich grass, magnificent forests, and broken by deep ravines containing the Yarmuk, Jabbok, and Arnon rivers.
☩Historical Events
Jacob and Laban made their covenant at a cairn in Gilead, giving rise to the alternate etymology 'heap of witness.' Jephthah rallied the Gileadites against the Ammonites and later punished the Ephraimites at the fords of the Jordan. Elijah the Tishbite was from Gilead, and David found refuge there during Absalom's rebellion. The region fell to Syria under Hazael, and later Tiglath-pileser carried its inhabitants into captivity.
Related Verses127 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Gilead," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Gilead (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Gilead," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.George Morrish, "Gilead," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Gilead," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).