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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Gileadites</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/g/gileadites.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/numbers/26-29.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/g/gileadites.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Gileadites</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/g/gileadite.htm" title="Gileadite">◄</a> Gileadites <a href="/topical/g/gilead's.htm" title="Gilead's">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The Gileadites were a group of people from the region of Gilead, a mountainous area east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and rugged terrain. The name "Gilead" is often associated with the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who settled in this region after the Israelites entered the Promised Land. The Gileadites are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, and their history is intertwined with the broader narrative of Israel.<br><br><b>Geographical and Historical Context</b><br><br>Gilead is a region that extends from the northern part of the Dead Sea to the southern part of the Sea of Galilee. It is bounded by the Jordan River to the west and the Arabian desert to the east. The area is characterized by its fertile land and was known for producing a healing balm, often referred to as the "balm of Gilead" (<a href="/jeremiah/8-22.htm">Jeremiah 8:22</a>). This balm was a valuable commodity in ancient times.<br><br><b>Tribal Associations</b><br><br>The Gileadites are primarily associated with the tribe of Manasseh, specifically the descendants of Machir, the firstborn of Manasseh. In <a href="/numbers/26-29.htm">Numbers 26:29</a>, the Bible states, "The descendants of Manasseh: through Machir, the Machirite clan (Machir was the father of Gilead); through Gilead, the Gileadite clan." This passage highlights the genealogical link between Gilead and the tribe of Manasseh.<br><br><b>Notable Biblical Figures</b><br><br>1. <b>Jephthah the Gileadite</b>: One of the most prominent figures among the Gileadites is Jephthah, a judge of Israel. Jephthah is introduced in <a href="/judges/11.htm">Judges 11:1</a> as "Jephthah the Gileadite, a mighty warrior." Despite being the son of a prostitute, Jephthah rose to prominence and led the Israelites to victory against the Ammonites. His account is marked by a tragic vow that led to the sacrifice of his daughter (<a href="/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30-40</a>).<br><br>2. <b>Jair the Gileadite</b>: Another judge from Gilead, Jair, is mentioned in <a href="/judges/10-3.htm">Judges 10:3-5</a>. He judged Israel for twenty-two years and had thirty sons who rode thirty donkeys and controlled thirty towns in Gilead, known as Havvoth Jair.<br><br><b>Military and Political Influence</b><br><br>The Gileadites played a significant role in the military and political landscape of ancient Israel. Their strategic location made them key players in the defense against external threats. In <a href="/bsb/judges/12.htm">Judges 12</a>, the Gileadites, under Jephthah's leadership, engaged in a conflict with the Ephraimites, resulting in a decisive victory for the Gileadites. This conflict is notable for the use of the word "Shibboleth" as a linguistic test to identify Ephraimites (<a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Judges 12:5-6</a>).<br><br><b>Cultural and Religious Significance</b><br><br>The Gileadites, like other Israelite tribes, were part of the covenant community and participated in the religious life centered around the worship of Yahweh. The region of Gilead is mentioned in various prophetic and poetic texts, often symbolizing healing and restoration. The "balm of Gilead" became a metaphor for divine healing and comfort, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/8-22.htm">Jeremiah 8:22</a>: "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?"<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>The Gileadites, as inhabitants of a significant region in biblical history, contributed to the narrative of Israel through their leaders, military exploits, and cultural impact. Their legacy is preserved in the biblical text as a testament to their role in the unfolding account of God's people.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">GILEADITES</span><p>gil'-e-ad-its:<br><br>(1) A branch of the tribe of Manasseh (<a href="/numbers/26-29.htm">Numbers 26:29</a>).<br><br>(2) Natives of the district of Gilead (<a href="/judges/10-3.htm">Judges 10:3</a>; <a href="/judges/11-1.htm">Judges 11:1</a>, etc.).<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/1569.htm"><span class="l">1569. Giladi -- a descendant of Gilead, also an inhabitant of <b>...</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> Word Origin from Gilad Definition a desc. of Gilead, also an inhab. of Gilead NASB<br> Word Usage Gileadite (9), <b>Gileadites</b> (1), <b>Gileadites</b>* (1). Gileadite. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/1569.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/1568.htm"><span class="l">1568. Gilad -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several <b>...</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> of several Isr. NASB Word Usage Gilead (99), Gilead's (1), <b>Gileadites</b><br> (2), Jabesh-gilead* (12). Gilead, Gileadite. Probably from <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/1568.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm"><span class="l">1121. ben -- son</span></a><br><b>...</b> 5), father* (1), fellow* (3), fellows (2), fertile* (1), foal (1), fools* (1),<br> foreigner* (6), foreigners (1), foreigners* (10), <b>Gileadites</b>* (1), grandchildren <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/1121.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 8k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_5_sauls_expedition_against.htm"><span class="l">Saul's Expedition against the Nation of the Ammonites and victory <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Now when the king of the Ammonites had served those beyond Jordan in this manner,<br> he led his army against those that were called <b>Gileadites</b>, and having pitched <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 sauls expedition against.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_13_how_alexander_upon.htm"><span class="l">How Alexander, Upon the League of Mutual Defense which Cleopatra <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Both these brothers did Antiochus vehemently oppose, but presently died; for when<br> he was come as an auxiliary to Laodice, queen of the <b>Gileadites</b>, [38] when <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how alexander upon.htm</font><p><a href="/library/milligan/men_of_the_bible_some_lesser-known/barzillai.htm"><span class="l">Barzillai</span></a> <br><b>...</b> in almost all the necessaries of life, and they could hardly fail also to have been<br> a little apprehensive of the kind of welcome the <b>Gileadites</b> would extend to <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/barzillai.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_f/the_bright_dawn_of_a.htm"><span class="l">The Bright Dawn of a Reign</span></a> <br><b>...</b> If the Jabesh-<b>Gileadites</b> are a pattern of long-memoried gratitude, David's commendation<br> of them is a model of love which survives injuries, and of <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the bright dawn of a.htm</font><p><a href="/library/headley/half_hours_in_bible_lands_volume_2/the_first_kings.htm"><span class="l">The First Kings.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> eye put out. The Jabesh-<b>Gileadites</b> agreed to the hard conditions, unless<br> help reached them within seven days. Messengers hastened <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pink/the_antichrist/the_scope_of_the_apocalypse.htm"><span class="l">The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Judges 12:6 tells us that the number of the apostate Ephraimites which fell before<br> the <b>Gileadites</b> were 42 thousand. See also 2 Kings 2:4 and 10:14. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the scope of the apocalypse.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/g/gileadites.htm"><span class="l"><b>Gileadites</b> (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b><b>GILEADITES</b>. gil'-e-ad-its: (1) A branch of the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers<br> 26:29). <b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Gileadites</b> (5 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/gileadites.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/shibboleth.htm"><span class="l">Shibboleth (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Thus when the Ephraimites from the west invaded Gilead, and were defeated by the<br><b>Gileadites</b> under the leadership of Jephthah, and tried to escape by the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/shibboleth.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/gileadite.htm"><span class="l">Gileadite (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Numbers 26:29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and<br> Machir became the father of Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the <b>Gileadites</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/gileadite.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/fugitives.htm"><span class="l">Fugitives (21 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim; and the men of Gilead struck Ephraim,<br> because they said, "You are fugitives of Ephraim, you <b>Gileadites</b>, in the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/fugitives.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/ephraimites.htm"><span class="l">Ephraimites (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the<br> men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye <b>Gileadites</b> are fugitives <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/ephraimites.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/pekahiah.htm"><span class="l">Pekahiah (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The chief conspirator was Pekah, son of Remaliah, one of his captains, with<br> whom, as agent in the crime, were associated 50 <b>Gileadites</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/pekahiah.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/pekah.htm"><span class="l">Pekah (11 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Open-eyed, the son of Remaliah a captain in the army of Pekahiah, king of Israel,<br> whom he slew, with the aid of a band of <b>Gileadites</b>, and succeeded (BC 758) on <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/pekah.htm - 19k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/e'phraim.htm"><span class="l">E'phraim (146 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> all the men of Gilead and fought with E'phraim; and the men of Gilead smote E'phraim,<br> because they said, "You are fugitives of E'phraim, you <b>Gileadites</b>, in the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/e'phraim.htm - 35k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/manas'seh.htm"><span class="l">Manas'seh (123 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (See RSV). Numbers 26:29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the<br> Machirites--and Machir begot Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the <b>Gileadites</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/manas'seh.htm - 35k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/gilead.htm"><span class="l">Gilead (130 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> terribly punished (Judges 12:1). Gilead at first favored the cause of Ishbosheth<br> (2 Samuel 2:9), but after the murder of that prince the <b>Gileadites</b> came with <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/gilead.htm - 56k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/land-of-Gilead.html">What is the significance of the land of Gilead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Mizpah-in-the-Bible.html">What is the importance of Mizpah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Gileadites (5 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/numbers/26-29.htm">Numbers 26:29</a></span><br />The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir became the father of Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the <span class="boldtext">Gileadites</span>.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/joshua/17-1.htm">Joshua 17:1</a></span><br />And this was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the first-born of Joseph. As for Machir the first-born of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/judges/12-4.htm">Judges 12:4</a></span><br />Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim; and the men of Gilead struck Ephraim, because they said, "You are fugitives of Ephraim, you <span class="boldtext">Gileadites</span>, in the midst of Ephraim, and in the midst of Manasseh."<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Judges 12:5</a></span><br />The <span class="boldtext">Gileadites</span> took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. It was so, that when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, Let me go over, the men of Gilead said to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No;"<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_kings/15-25.htm">2 Kings 15:25</a></span><br />Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him, and struck him in Samaria, in the castle of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh; and with him were fifty men of the <span class="boldtext">Gileadites</span>: and he killed him, and reigned in his place.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/g/gileadites.htm">Gileadites</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gileadites.htm">Gileadites (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wife's.htm">Wife's (21 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jephthah.htm">Jephthah (26 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gilgal.htm">Gilgal (39 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/thrust.htm">Thrust (92 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/drove.htm">Drove (89 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/grew.htm">Grew (133 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/inherit.htm">Inherit (98 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/strange.htm">Strange (234 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/g/gileadite.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Gileadite"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Gileadite" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/g/gilead's.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Gilead's"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Gilead's" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>