Gad

GAD, the son of Jacob and Zilpah, Gen. xxx. 9, 10, 11.Leah’s servant. Leah, Jacob’s wife, seeing she produced no more children, and growing jealous of her sister Rachel, who had given her maid Bilhah to her husband, gave him also Zilpah, that by her means she might have children. Zilpah proved with child by Jacob, and was delivered of a son, whom Leah called Gad, saying, Happy am I. For Gad signifies the God of good Fortune¹.

Gad had seven sons, Ziphion and Haggai, Shuni and Ezbon, Eri and Arodi, and Gen. xlvi. 16. Gen. xlix. 19.Areli. Jacob giving Gad his blessing, said, A troop shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at the last. Gad having received his allotment beyond Jordan, with the tribe of Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, marched in arms at the head of Israel, to assist in the conquest of the land of Canaan, on this side the river. Gad returned some time after, well armed and loaded with spoil.

Moses in his last song speaks likewise of Gad in these terms; Blessed is he that enlargeth Gad; he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head. And he provideth the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the Lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the Lord, and his judgements with Israel; by marching at the head of his people in the war against the Canaanites. Moses died on mount Nebo, and was buried in a Deut. xxxiv. 1, & seq.neighbouring valley, beyond Jordan; where Gad had received his inheritance. The Author of the Testament of the twelve Patriarchs, commends the Patriarch Gad for his great strength of body; but we do not care to make use of the authority of a writer so fabulous as this is.

The tribe of Gad came out of Egypt in number forty-five thousand six hundred Numb. i. 20, 21.and fifty men. After the defeat of the Kings Og and Sehon, Gad and Reuben desired Moses, that he would please to appoint them their division in the new conquered countries, alledging the great number Numb. xxxii. 1, 3, &c.of cattle belonging to them. Moses granted their request, upon condition, and with a charge, that they should accompany their brethren in the conquest of the land beyond Jordan, which the Lord had Numb. xxii. 28.promised them. Thus Gad had his inheritance between Reuben to the south, and Manasseh to the north, with the mountains of Gilead to the east, and Jordan to the west. See the Map.

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