Encyclopedia entry
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” (Ps. 60:7; Gen. 37:25). It comprised the possessions of the tribes of Gad and Reuben and the south part of Manasseh (Deut. 3:13; Num. 32:40). It was bounded on the north by Bashan, and on the south by Moab and Ammon (Gen. 31:21; Deut. 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.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
(rocky region).
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.” (Psalms 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 2000 to 3000 feet; but their apparent elevation on the western side is much greater, owing to the depression of the Jordan valley, which averages about 3000 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. 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. Son of Machir, grandson of Manasseh. (Numbers 26:29,30) The father of Jephthah. (Judges 11:1,2)
In the Bible
123
Verses where Gilead is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 2:21
Later, Hezron slept with the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead. He had married her when he was sixty years old, and she bore to him Segub.
- 1 Chronicles 2:22
Segub was the father of Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead.
- 1 Chronicles 2:23
But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages. All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead.
- 1 Chronicles 5:9
They also settled in the east as far as the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates River, because their livestock had increased in the land of Gilead.
- 1 Chronicles 5:10
During the days of Saul they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated at their hands, and they occupied the dwellings of the Hagrites throughout the region east of Gilead.
- 1 Chronicles 5:14
These were the sons of Abihail son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz.
+117 more verses naming Gilead.
Scripture on Gilead
61
See all 61 +−
- 2 Chronicles 18Judges 21Joshua 17Joshua 22Judges 101 Chronicles 5Genesis 37Numbers 26Joshua 13Judges 122 Samuel 22 Kings 91 Chronicles 2Psalms 60Joshua 12Judges 71 Samuel 111 Kings 42 Kings 151 Chronicles 7Amos 1Numbers 27Numbers 36Deuteronomy 2Deuteronomy 4Deuteronomy 34Joshua 20Joshua 21Judges 5Judges 201 Samuel 131 Samuel 312 Samuel 172 Samuel 212 Samuel 241 Kings 172 Kings 82 Kings 101 Chronicles 61 Chronicles 101 Chronicles 261 Chronicles 272 Chronicles 22Psalms 108Song of Solomon 4Song of Solomon 6Jeremiah 8Jeremiah 22Jeremiah 46Jeremiah 50Ezekiel 47Hosea 6Hosea 12Obadiah 1Micah 7Zechariah 10
Entries that reference Gilead
95
See all 95 +−
- AhabAhaziahAhiAmorite, The AmoritesAmoritesArnonAsrielAtarothBalmBashanBedanBethabaraCamonCanaanCattleCherithCityDecapolisEdElijahEphraim, Wood ofExileForestGadGad, The Tribe OfGalaadGeberGeshurGilead, Balm ofThe GileaditesHamHammolekethHavoth-jairHavothjairHazaelHelekHepherThe HepheritesHermonHigh placeJaazerJaazer, Or JazerJabbokJabeshJabesh-GileadJairJeshishaiJoraiJordanKenathLo-debarMachirThe MachiritesMahalahManassehMephiboshethMeshaMicaiahMizpahMoabNahashNobahPalestina And PalestinePalestineProvinceRamoth-gileadRamothgileadRaphonRefuge, Cities ofReubenReuben, Tribe ofRogelimSharonShechemThe ShechemitesShemidaShemidahThe ShemidaitesShibbolethSpice, SpicesTahtim-hodshiTahtimhodshiTiglathpileserTishbiteThe TishbiteTobUlamUriZebahZelophehad
Gilead references
27
Voices on Gilead
1
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869) · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.