Gad @ fortune; luck. (1.) Jacob's seventh son, by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and the brother of Asher Genesis:30:11-13Genesis:46:16-18). In the Authorized Version of 30:11 the words, "A troop cometh: and she called," etc., should rather be rendered, "In fortune [R.V., 'Fortunate']: and she called," etc., or "Fortune cometh," etc. The tribe of Gad during the march through the wilderness had their place with Simeon and Reuben on the south side of the tabernacle Numbers:2:14). The tribes of Reuben and Gad continued all through their history to follow the pastoral pursuits of the patriarchs Numbers:32:1-5). The portion allotted to the tribe of Gad was on the east of Jordan, and comprehended the half of Gilead, a region of great beauty and fertility Deuteronomy:3:12), bounded on the east by the Arabian desert, on the west by the Jordan Joshua:13:27), and on the north by the river Jabbok. It thus included the whole of the Jordan valley as far north as to the Sea of Galilee, where it narrowed almost to a point. This tribe was fierce and warlike; they were "strong men of might, men of war for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, their faces the faces of lions, and like roes upon the mountains for swiftness" ( 1Chronicles:12:81Chronicles:5:19-22). Barzillai ( 2Samuel:17:27) and Elijah (kjvKings:17:1) were of this tribe. It was carried into captivity at the same time as the other tribes of the northern kingdom by Tiglath-pileser ( 1Chronicles:5:26), and in the time of Jeremiah (49:1) their cities were inhabited by the Ammonites. (2.) A prophet who joined David in the "hold," and at whose advice he quitted it for the forest of Hareth ( 1Chronicles:29:29; 2Chronicals:29:25; 1Samuel:22:5). Many years after we find mention made of him in connection with the punishment inflicted for numbering the people ( 2Samuel:24:11-19; 1Chronicles:21:9-19). He wrote a book called the "Acts of David" ( 1Chronicles:29:29), and assisted in the arrangements for the musical services of the "house of God" ( 2Chronicals:29:25). He bore the title of "the king's seer" ( 2Samuel:24:11-13; 1Chronicles:21:9).
Gadara @ the capital of the Roman province of Peraea. It stood on the summit of a mountain about 6 miles south-east of the Sea of Galilee. Mark (5:1) and Luke (8:26-39) describe the miracle of the healing of the demoniac (Matthew [8:28-34] says two demoniacs) as having been wrought "in the country of the Gadarenes," thus describing the scene generally. The miracle could not have been wrought at Gadara itself, for between the lake and this town there is the deep, almost impassable ravine of the Hieromax (Jarmuk). It is identified with the modern village of Um-Keis, which is surrounded by very extensive ruins, all bearing testimony to the splendour of ancient Gadara. "The most interesting remains of Gadara are its tombs, which dot the cliffs for a considerable distance round the city, chiefly on the north-east declivity; but many beautifully sculptured sarcophagi are scattered over the surrounding heights. They are excavated in the limestone rock, and consist of chambers of various dimensions, some more than 20 feet square, with recesses in the sides for bodies...The present inhabitants of Um-Keis are all troglodytes, 'dwelling in tombs,' like the poor maniacs of old, and occasionally they are almost as dangerous to unprotected travellers."
Gadarenes @ the inhabitants of Gadara, in Revised Version "Gerasenes" Mark:5:1; Luke:8:26Luke:8:37). In Matthew:8:28 they are called Gergesenes, Revised Version "Gadarenes."
Gaddi @ fortunate, the representative of the tribe of Manasseh among the twelve "spies" sent by Moses to spy the land Numbers:13:11).
Gaddiel @ fortune (i.e., sent) of God, the representative of the tribe of Zebulum among the twelve spies Numbers:13:10).
GAD @ - (a troop). Jacob’s seventh son, the first-born of Zilpah, Leah’s maid, and whole-brother to Asher. Genesis:30;11-13; 46:16-18) (B.C. 1753-1740.) "The seer," or "the king’s seer," i.e. David’s ( 1Chronicles:29:29; 2Chronicles:29:25) was a "prophet" who appears to have joined David when in the old. ( 1Samuel:22:5) (B.C. 1061.) He reappears in connection with the punishment inflicted for the numbering of the people. (2 Samuel 24:11-19; 1Chronicles:21:9-19) He wrote a book of the Acts of David, ( 1Chronicles:29:29) and also assisted in the arrangements for the musical service of the "house of God." ( 2Chronicles:29:25)
GAD, THE TRIBE OF @ - The country allotted to the tribe of Gad appears, speaking roughly, to have lain chiefly about the centre of the land east of Jordan. The sought of that district --from the Arnon (Wady Mojeb), about halfway down the Dead Sea, to Heshbon, nearly due east of Jerusalem --was occupied by Reuben, and at or about Heshbon the possessions of Gad commenced. They embraced half Gilead, (3:12) or half the land of the children of Ammon, Joshua:13:25) probably the mountainous district which is intersected by the torrent Jabbok, including, as its most northern town, the ancient sanctuary of Mahanaim. On the east the furthest landmark given is "Aroer that is before Rabbah," the present Amman . Joshua:13:25) West was the Jordan. ver. Joshua:13:27) The character of the tribe is throughout strongly marked --fierce and warlike.
GADITES, THE @ - the descendants of Gad, and members of his tribe.
GADARA @ - a strong city situated near the river Hieromax, six miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, over against Scythopolis and Tiberias, and 16 Roman miles distant from each of those places. Josephus calls it the capital of Peraea. The ruins of this city, now called Um Keis , are about two miles in circumference. The most interesting remains of Gadara are its tombs, which dot the cliffs for a considerable distance around the city. Godet says there is still a population of 200 souls in these tombs. Gadara was captured by Vespasian on the first outbreak of the war with the Jews, all its inhabitants were massacred, and the town itself, with the surrounding villages, was reduced to ashes.
GADARENES, GIRGESENES, GERASENES @ - (These three names are used indiscriminately to designate the place where Jesus healed two demoniacs. The first two are in the Authorized Version. Matthew:8:28; Mark:5:1; Luke:8:26) In Gerasenes in place of Gadarenes. The miracle referred to took place, without doubt, near the town of Gergesa, the modern Kersa , close by the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and hence in the country of Gergesenes. But as Gergesa was a small village, and little known, the evangelists, who wrote for more distant readers, spoke of the event as taking place in the country of the Gadarenes, so named from its largest city, Gadara; and this country included the country of the Gergesenes as a state includes a county. The Gerasenes were the people of the district of which Gerasa was the capital. This city was better known than Gadara or Gergesa; indeed in the Roman age no city of Palestine was better known. "It became one of the proudest cities of Syria." It was situated some 30 miles southeast of Gadara, on the borders of Peraea and a little north of the river Jabbok. It is now called Jerash and is a deserted ruin. The district of the Gerasenes probably included that of the Gadarenes; so that the demoniac of Gergesa belonged to the country of the Gadarenes and also to that of the Gerasenes, as the same person may, with equal truth, be said to live in the city or the state, or in the United States. For those near by the local name would be used; but in writing to a distant people, as the Greeks and Romans, the more comprehensive and general name would be given. --ED.)
GADDI @ - (fortunate), son of Susi; the Manassite spy sent by Moses to explore Canaan. Numbers:13:11) (B.C. 1490.)
GADDIEL @ -(fortune of God) a Zebulunite, one of the twelve spies. Numbers:13:10) (B.C. 1490.)
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