Dictionaries :: Gilead

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Gilead:

hill of testimony, (Gen 31:21), a mountainous region east of Jordan. From its mountainous character it is called "the mount of Gilead" (Gen 31:25). It is called also "the land of Gilead" (Num 32:1), and sometimes simply "Gilead" (Psa 60:7; Gen 37:25). It comprised the possessions of the tribes of Gad and Reuben and the south part of Manasseh (Deu 3:13; Num 32:40). It was bounded on the north by Bashan, and on the south by Moab and Ammon (Gen 31:21; Deu 3:12-17). "Half Gilead" was possessed by Sihon, and the other half, separated from it by the river Jabbok, by Og, king of Bashan. The deep ravine of the river Hieromax (the modern Sheriat el-Mandhur) separated Bashan from Gilead, which was about 60 miles in length and 20 in breadth, extending from near the south end of the Lake of Gennesaret to the north end of the Dead Sea. Abarim, Pisgah, Nebo, and Peor are its mountains mentioned in Scripture.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Gilead:

the heap or mass of testimony

Nave's Topical Bible

Gilead: 1. A Region East of the Jordan River

Allotted to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh,

Num 32:1-30; Deu 3:13; 34:1; 2Ki 10:33.

Reubenites expel the Hagarites from,

1Ch 5:9, 10, 18-22.

Ammonites make war against; defeated by Jephthah,

Jdg 11.

The prophet Elijah a native of,

1Ki 17:1.

David retreats to, at the time of Absalom's rebellion,

2Sa 17:16, 22, 24.

Pursued into, by Absalom,

2Sa 17:26.

Absalom defeated and slain in the forests of,

2Sa 18:9.

Hazael, king of Syria, smites the land of,

2Ki 10:32, 33; Amo 1:3.

Invaded by Tiglath-pileser, king of Syria,

2Ki 15:29.

A grazing country,

Num 32:1; 1Ch 5:9.

Exported spices, balm, and myrrh,

Gen 37:25; Jer 8:22; 46:11.

Gilead: Figurative

Of prosperity,

Jer 22:6; 50:19.

Gilead: 2. A Mountain

Jdg 7:3; Sgs 4:1; 6:5.

Laban overtakes Jacob at,

Gen 31:21-25.

Gilead: 3. A City

Hsa 6:8; 12:11

Gilead: 4. Grandson of Manasseh

Num 26:29, 30; 27:1; 36:1; Jos 17:1, 3; 1Ch 2:21, 23; 7:14, 17

Gilead: 5. Father of Jephthah

Jdg 11:1, 2

Gilead: 6. A Chief of Gad

1Ch 5:14

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Gilead:

(rocky region).

(1.) A mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon (Genesis 31:21; 3:12-17). It is sometimes called "Mount Gilead," (Genesis 31:25) sometimes "the land of Gilead," (Numbers 32:1) and sometimes simply "Gilead." (Psalm 60:7; Genesis 37:25). The name Gilead, as is usual in Palestine, describes the physical aspect of the country: it signifies "a hard rocky region." The mountains of Gilead, including Pisgah, Abarim and Peor, have a real elevation of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet; but their apparent elevation on the western side is much greater, owing to the depression of the Jordan valley, which averages about 3,000 feet. Their outline is singularly uniform, resembling a massive wall running along the horizon. Gilead was specially noted for its balm collected from "balm of Gilead" trees, and worth twice its weight in silver.

(2.) Possibly the name of a mountain west of the Jordan, near Jezreel (Judges 7:3). We are inclined, however, to think that the true reading in this place should be GILBOA (SEE [GILBOA].)

(3.) Son of Machir, grandson of Manasseh (Numbers 26:29, 30).

(4.) The father of Jephthah (Judges 11:1-2).