Who was Gamaliel in the Bible?

what does the bible say?

Two Gamaliels are mentioned in the Bible, with the first being a leader of the Israelite tribe of Manasseh during Moses' time. He was chosen by God to lead his tribe and commanded a large army as the Israelites journeyed from Sinai. The second Gamaliel, known as Gamaliel the Elder, was a prominent Jewish teacher of the Law in the first century AD and a respected authority in the Sanhedrin. His intervention in the trial of the apostles, urging caution and trust in God, spared their lives and showcased his wisdom and influence. Gamaliel's mentorship of Paul before his conversion demonstrates the profound impact a mentor can have in shaping beliefs and actions, emphasizing the importance of discipleship grounded in respect, wisdom, and a shared pursuit of truth. This legacy of mentoring offers timeless lessons for contemporary discipleship, reminding us of the transformative power of mentorship in nurturing character, fostering growth, and perpetuating wisdom for future generations.

from the old testament

Two men are named Gamaliel in the Bible. The first is Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur who was the head of the Israelite tribe of Manasseh while under Moses' leadership. He was chosen by God to lead his family's tribe in Numbers 1:10. In Numbers 7:54–59 he is seen giving an offering on behalf of his tribe at the tabernacle's consecration, and he is later seen leading his tribe's 32,200 man army (Numbers 2:20–21) as the Israelites set out from Sinai in Numbers 10:23.

from the new testament

The second Gamaliel mentioned in the Bible is the Jewish teacher of the Law during the first century AD known as Gamaliel the Elder. Gamaliel the Elder was the grandson of the great Jewish Rabbi Hillel the Elder, and he kept to Hillel's interpretation of Jewish law.Gamaliel became a leading authority in the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court in Jerusalem. In fact, this is how he is first mentioned in Acts 5. The apostles were on trial for preaching about Jesus, and the Sanhedrin wanted to put them to death. "But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up" (Acts 5:34). Gamaliel urged the court to "let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!" (Acts 5:38–39). Because he was well respected "by all the people" and his speech was measured and persuasive, "they took his advice" (Acts 5:39). Thus, the apostles' lives were spared because Gamaliel stepped in.Gamaliel was also the rabbi who had instructed Paul before his conversion. Paul touted this tutelage under Gamaliel as a credential for why the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem should hear him out in Acts 22:3. He said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day." Under Gamaliel's teaching, Paul developed expert knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures, and this educational pedigree gave him access to preach in the synagogues wherever he traveled (Acts 17:2).Gamaliel's influence extended beyond just his own teaching, impacting Paul and Paul's understanding of Jesus being the fulfillment of the Jewish law (Matthew 5:17).

implications for today

Gamaliel, the teacher of Law provides lessons on the significance and responsibility of mentoring and discipling. His legacy exemplifies the impact a mentor can have on shaping the beliefs, knowledge, and actions of their mentee. Gamaliel's commitment to passing down his expertise in Jewish law to Paul not only equipped him with scholarly acumen but seems to have instilled in him a reverence for God and a nuanced understanding of Scripture.

Gamaliel's advice to the Sanhedrin demonstrates the value of taking a measured approach to teachers claiming to be of God. Human endeavors founded in deception will ultimately fail, but God's purposes will always prevail. Paul later gave the Thessalonians this advice, "but test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).