Gad

Fortune; luck. (1.) Jacob’s seventh son, by Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, and the brother of Asher (Gen. 30:11-13; 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 (Num. 2:14). The tribes of Reuben and Gad continued all through their history to follow the pastoral pursuits of the patriarchs (Num. 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 (Deut. 3:12), bounded on the east by the Arabian desert, on the west by the Jordan (Josh. 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” (1 Chr. 12:8; 5:19-22). Barzillai (2 Sam. 17:27) and Elijah (1 Kings 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 (1 Chr. 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 (1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 29:25; 1 Sam. 22:5). Many years after we find mention made of him in connection with the punishment inflicted for numbering the people (2 Sam. 24:11-19; 1 Chr. 21:9-19). He wrote a book called the “Acts of David” (1 Chr. 29:29), and assisted in the arrangements for the musical services of the “house of God” (2 Chr. 29:25). He bore the title of “the king’s seer” (2 Sam. 24:11, 13; 1 Chr. 21:9).

(a troop).

GAD (good fortune ?). The seventh son of Jacob, and the first-born of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, Gen 30:11. A prophet and particular friend of David, the history of whose reign he wrote. 1 Chr 29:29. He came to David when the latter was in the cave Adullam. 1 Sam 22:5. He then began his career of counsellor, under divine direction, which eventually won him the title of "the king's seer." 2 Sam 24:11, 2 Sam 24:13; 1 Chr 21:9. In Hezekiah's day he was remembered. 2 Chr 29:25.

a band; a troop

GAD, THE TRIBE OF. The territory, given to the tribe of Gad lay east of the Jordan, north of that allotted to Reuben, and south of that given to Manasseh on that side of the river. It extended from the Jordan eastward to Aroer, Josh 13:25, including half of Mount Gilead and half of Ammon. Deut 3:12; Josh 13:25. For physical features and history, see Gilead. Its chief cities were Ramoth-gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Aroer. This tribe, in the Wilderness, was placed with Simeon and Reuben on the south of the tabernacle; with Reuben and the half of Manasseh, it occupied the pasture-grounds on the east of the Jordan. It was warlike, as is graphically stated, 1 Chr 12:8. Two famous men came from Gad — Barzillai, 2 Sam 17:27, and Elijah, 1 Kgs 17:1. The territory was the battle-field for wars between Syria and Israel. 2 Kgs 10:33.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The point of a spear, or an arrowhead.

2. A pointed or wedge-shaped instrument of metal, as a steel wedge used in mining, etc. I will go get a leaf of brass, And with a gad of steel will write these words. Shak.

3. A sharp-pointed rod; a goad.

4. A spike on a gauntlet; a gadling. Fairholt.

5. A wedge-shaped billet of iron or steel. [Obs.] Flemish steel . . . some in bars and some in gads. Moxon.

6. A rod or stick, as a fishing rod, a measuring rod, or a rod used to drive cattle with. [Prov. Eng. Local, U.S.] Halliwell. Bartlett. Upon the gad, upon the spur of the moment; hastily. [Obs.] "All this done upon the gad!" Shak.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To walk about; to rove or go about, without purpose; hence, to run wild; to be uncontrolled. "The gadding vine." Milton. Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way Jer. ii. 36.