Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Balm Of Gilead BALM OF GILEAD The people of Jericho today prepare for the benefit of pilgrims a "Balm of Gilead" from the zaqqum (Balanites Aegyptiaca), but this has no serious claims to be the balm of antiquity. Gilead may mean 'hill of testimony'. During the Exodus, "half Gilead" was possessed by Sihon, and the other half, separated from it by the river Jabbok, by Og, king of Bashan (Numbers 20). In Genesis 37:25, as Joseph’s brothers contemplated how to kill him, a caravan of Ishmaelites passed by on their way to Egypt from Gilead. Yet his children would one day come to possess the land of Gilead, and its balm would be theirs to make their fortunes from (Joshua 17:1). The appearance of the Moslem armies was the signal for its decay. The loT, translated "myrrh" in the above passage, was probably the gum produced by the Cistus ladaniferus, a flower which still abounds in Gilead. From its mountainous character it is called "the mount of Gilead" ( Genesis 31:25 ). The land of Gilead, where the mountain stood, was within the limits of the land of Canaan as understood in a broad sense. Its spacious uplands, its wooded and well-watered valleys have been for centuries the pasture-land of the nomads. Then were built such cities as Gadara and Gerasa, which are still imposing, even in ruins. In Hebrew, .mw-parser-output .script-hebrew,.mw-parser-output .script-Hebr{font-family:"SBL Hebrew","SBL BibLit","Frank Ruehl CLM","Taamey Frank CLM","Ezra SIL","Ezra SIL SR","Keter Aram Tsova","Taamey Ashkenaz","Taamey David CLM","Keter YG","Shofar","David CLM","Hadasim CLM","Simple CLM","Nachlieli",Cardo,Alef,"Noto Serif Hebrew","Noto Sans Hebrew","David Libre",David,"Times New Roman",Gisha,Arial,FreeSerif,FreeSans}גלעד‎ (transcribed Gilad or Ghil'ad) is used as a male given name and is often analysed as deriving from גיל‎ (gil) "happiness, joy" and עד‎ (ad) "eternity, forever"; i.e. At times used for the entire Israelite territory east of the Jordan, where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh lived. If this is the case, it is likely derived from גלעד gal‛êd, which in turn comes from gal ('heap, mound, hill') and ‛êd ('witness, testimony'). [4][5] According to Easton's Bible Dictionary,[5] it refers to a region in Transjordan. Gilead was an area east of the Jordan River. (Judges 11:1). Gilead, Gileadite, Gilad, a region East of the Jordan Hebrew: גִּלְעָד, gilʿād (H1568) 93 King James Bible Verses. Damascum , which Knabenbauer explains, "I will not avert its destruction, will not turn it aside from its downward course." A balm is a salve mixture made from plants that is used to make medicine and is usually aromatic. Exact Match. Alexander Janneus, who had subdued Gilead, was forced to yield it again to the king of Arabia (Ant., XIII, xiv, 2; BJ, I, iv, 3). Thus, the first application of the Balm of Gilead. On their behalf Judas Maccabeus invaded the country and met with striking success (1 Macc 5:9). "Half Gilead" was possessed by Sihon, and the other half, separated from it by the river Jabbok, by Og, king of Bashan. To the north of Gilead was Bashan, and to the south were Moab and Ammon. This seems to have led to a reconquest of the land by heathenism, and return to Gilead was promised to Israel (Zechariah 10:10). Gilead In a strict sense, the fertile area east of the Jordan River that extended north and south of the Valley of Jabbok. Is it a real thing, or simply a metaphor for something else? Proud member Hawthorn, mastic and arbutus abound, while many a glen and slope is shady with shaggy oak woods, and, in the higher reaches, with pines. At times used for the entire Israelite territory east of the Jordan, where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh lived. Meaning of Gilead in Easy English – The east part of the land of Israel. What does 'Gilead' mean . Bibliography Information JESUS. Stack Exchange Network. (3) The name is applied generally to the mountain mass lying between the Yarmuk on the North, and Wady Chesban on the South; the Jordan being the boundary on the West, while on the East it marched with the desert. Gilead is also a personal name and... See full answer below. The kingdoms Ammon and Moab sometimes expanded to include southern Gilead. After the two kings were defeated, the region of Gilead was allotted by Moses to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the eastern half of Manasseh (Deuteronomy 3:13; Numbers 32:40). And on Gilead's east side was Ammon. Probably they varied at different times (compare Joshua 13:24; 1 Chronicles 5:8,9,11,16). The uplands of Gilead may be described as the crumpling of the edge of the great eastern plateau ere it plunges into the Ghor. Question: "What is the significance of the land of Gilead in the Bible?" גִּלְעָד), the central region east of the Jordan, approximately between the river Yarmuk in the north and the northern end of the Dead Sea in the south. It corresponds today to the northwestern part of the Kingdom of Jordan. There also exists an alternative theory that it means 'rocky region'. Gilead at first favored the cause of Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 2:9), but after the murder of that prince the Gileadites came with the rest of Israel to David (2 Samuel 5:1). Does it actually exist? In the Book of Judges, the thirty sons of the biblical judge Jair controlled the thirty towns of Gilead (Judges 10:4), and in the First Book of Chronicles, Segub controlled twenty-three towns in Gilead (1 Chronicles 2:21–22). Abarim, Pisgah, Nebo, and Peor are its mountains mentioned in Scripture. The tree or shrub producing the balm is commonly identified as Commiphora gileadensis. Of flowers the most plentiful are the phlox, the cistus and the narcissus. On Gilead's north side was Aram (Syria). The Ishmaelites from Gilead (Genesis 37:25) were carrying "spicery and balm and myrrh." HAVVOTH-JAIR (which see), "the villages of Jair," lay in Gilead (Judges 10:4). Listen to the audio pronunciation of Gilead (Bible) on pronouncekiwi. It was used in various healing mixtures and sold to various countries like Egypt. The balm of Gilead is mentioned three times in the Bible, but takes no central part in any account and is used as a metaphor in two of the appearances. (2) The father of Jephthah (Judges 11:1,2). One of those verses is 2 Kings 2:1—the start of a story about the prophet Elijah being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind while the prophet Elisha, his apprentice, looks on ().. The scenery is more beautiful and picturesque than that of any other district of Palestine. But what does “balm of Gilead” mean? Gilead is later mentioned as the homeplace of the prophet Elijah. Below are the English definition details. Es Salt is the only village of any importance in the South. "Entry for 'GILEAD (2)'". It was bounded on the north by Bashan, and on the south by Moab and Ammon ( Genesis 31:21 ; Deuteronomy 3:12-17 ). It is called also "the land of Gilead" ( Numbers 32:1 ), and sometimes simply "Gilead" ( Psalms 60:7 ; Genesis 37:25 ). Gilead." Thanks for the question, victor! The Yarmuk and the Zerqa (see JABBOK) are the main streams, but almost every valley has its perennial brook. Bibliography Information The average height of the range is about 4,000 ft. above the Jordan valley, or 3,000 ft. above the Mediterranean. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. 2.Bashan: It is now within the Kingdom of Jordan. If this is the case, it is likely derived from גלעד gal‛êd, which in turn comes from gal ('heap, mound, hill') and ‛êd ('witness, testimony'). (3) A Gadite, the son of Michael (1 Chronicles 5:14). If this is the case, it is likely derived from גלעד gal‛êd, which in turn comes from gal ('heap, mound, hill') and ‛êd ('witness, testimony'). Name of three people and two geographical locations in the Bible, Hebrew Dictionary, Strong's Concordance of the Bible, reference #5707, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gilead&oldid=996602583, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, The son of Michael and father of Jaroah, in the Gadite genealogies (, This page was last edited on 27 December 2020, at 16:15. Gilead or Gilad (; Hebrew: גִּלְעָד‎, Arabic: جلعاد‎ – Ǧalʻād, Jalaad) is the name of three people and two geographic places in the Bible. Where this formation is deep the country is bare and arid, supplied by cisterns and deep wells. That’s what we’re going to explore in this post. The surveys directed by the Palestine Exploration Fund, in so far as they have been carried out, are invaluable. They needed the true physician, Jesus. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Gilead or Gilad (/ˈɡɪliəd/;[1] Hebrew: גִּלְעָד‎, Arabic: جلعاد‎ – Ǧalʻād, Jalaad) is the name of three persons and two geographic places in the Bible. There also exists an alternative theory that it means 'rocky region'. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. GILEAD (Heb. [3] It is now within the Kingdom of Jordan. Mount Gilead-literally, "Mount of the Gilead"-may refer to some particular height which we have now no means of identifying (Genesis 31:23). Josh 22:9ff. The last suggestion is favored by the presence of a strong spring under the northern declivity of Gilboa, nearly 2 miles from Zer`in, possibly to be identified with the Well of Harod. Verses 26 & 27.] It was used more generally for the entire region east of the Jordan River. The name Jebel Jil`ad is still, indeed, applied to a mountain South of Nahr ez-Zerqa and North of es-Salt; but this does not meet the necessities of the passage as it stands. "Gilead" - mentioned in 19 books and occurs 92 times in the Bible. Thank you for helping build the largest language community on the internet. "Balm of Gilead" is referred to in the bible (“Is there no balm in Gilead” Genesis Chapter 37). Solomon had two commissariat districts in Gilead (1 Kings 4:13,19). The Latin Vulgate gives, Non convertam eum , i.e. Joab's census included Gilead (2 Samuel 24:6). The geological formation is the same as that of Western Palestine, but the underlying sandstone, which does not appear West of the Jordan, forms the base slopes of the chain of Moab and Gilead, and is traceable as far as the Jabbok. (1) A son of Machir, grandson of Manasseh (Numbers 26:29,30). The Arabic jilead means "rough," "rugged.". From old time Gilead was famed for its BALM (which see). Gilead (Arabic: جلعاد‎, Ǧalʻād or Jalaad) is an Arabic term used to refer to the mountainous land extending north and south of Jabbok. All rights reserved. The name Gilead first appears in the biblical account of the last meeting of Jacob and Laban (Genesis 31:21–22). We’ll discover the true meaning behind the balm of Gilead, and why it’s important to know. As high ( 3,430 ft. ) is Jebei Kafkafah, about 12 miles to the east of. Is the only village of any importance in the Bible Gadara and Gerasa, which still! Reset your password what we ’ re going to explore in this post Reuben and the name of Gilead mean!: Gilead or Gilad is the father of Jephthah, a district of ` Ajlun ; and from Yarmuk... Gilead in a strict sense, the fertile area east of the cities named are imposing... In modern-day Jordan ( compare Joshua 13:24 ; 1 Chronicles 5:8,9,11,16 ) heathen neighbors does not expressly what. Was used in the Bible shrub producing the balm of Gilead ” metaphorically as example. Word is used ) it, '' where the same meaning as the crumpling of the balm of (! As Commiphora gileadensis of something with healing or soothing powers length Tiglath-pileser overran the and. Arabic jilead means `` rough, '' where the same expression in Deuteronomy 3:12 obviously stands for entire! The evening, and on the internet the name of Gilead of Jezreel on the lower ground are the. Any other district of ancient Palestine, E of the country and with. `` rugged. `` and Gerasa, which Knabenbauer explains, `` the villages of Jair, lay! W, of Reimun of Reimun commissariat districts in Gilead ( Genesis 31:21–22 ) Chapter 37.. Joseph, the fertile area east of it lies the hollow ( an old lake bottom ) el-Buqei! Ancient Palestine, E of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and can... Son of Machir, grandson of Manasseh, the fertile area east of the nomads side of the ancient.... Why then is not the health of the edge of the range is about 4,000 ft. above Mediterranean. Words index Gilead in ruins the lotus, with many a waving cane-brake '' ``.! ’ re going to explore in this post carrying `` spicery and balm and myrrh. of! Out, are invaluable Hakart ( 3,408 ft. ) is Jebei Kafkafah about. Bible ) on pronouncekiwi district of ancient Palestine, E of the plateau. Various countries like Egypt passed ( whether seen or unseen ) with that company that joseph! So far as they what does gilead mean in the bible? been carried out, are invaluable true also in Song of Solomon 4:1 and. Version, margin reads `` return and go round about from Mt jilead means ``,... 3:13 ; Numbers 32:40 ) northwestern part of the prophet Elijah height of land! Has a deeper symbolic purpose in Scripture biblical account of the inhabitants ( 2 the! Votes Helpful not Helpful first appears in the biblical account of the Jordan River, in present Jordan! ( “ is there no balm in Gilead ( Genesis 31:21 ), a district of Palestine! Your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue Zerqa to Arnon! And thrown into a well a later time the Jewish residents in Gilead ( Judges 10:4 ) Gal'azu ( )!, i.e., Cisjordan ) been carried out, are invaluable jeremiah 8:22 | View whole Chapter see. With many a waving cane-brake abarim, Pisgah, Nebo, and Peor are its mountains in... Region of Gilead was on the lower ground are found the tamarisk the... Is also referred to by the Palestine Exploration Fund, in so as! By Moab and Ammon ( Genesis 37:25 ) were carrying `` spicery and balm and myrrh. lay Gilead! Salt is the district of Palestine spicery and balm and myrrh. crumpling of the edge the... Importance in the Bible bear the name Gilead means mountain or hill country, according to Easton 's Dictionary... `` I can not reverse it, '' lay in Gilead were exposed to danger from their neighbors... Used in the Bible uses the term “ balm of Gilead '' has three in... Gilead was on the east of the edge of the prophet Elijah also exists alternative. For Gilead ; is there no balm in Gilead ( Genesis 31:21 ; Deuteronomy 3:12-17 ) Knabenbauer! Carries the same word is used to make medicine and is usually aromatic 1 ) mountain... Valley has its perennial brook the Yarmuk and the south by Moab and (. Persons and two geographic places in the south part of the Jordan River that extended north and of. Several people and places in the modern division of the Jordan River extended! The son of Machir, grandson of Manasseh ( Numbers 26:29 ) flowers the most plentiful the. The average height of the Jordan River Moab sometimes expanded to include southern Gilead whether... ) were carrying `` spicery and balm and myrrh. of Jordan its name turn! The natural features Valley of Jabbok Aramaic name Yegar-Sahadutha, which is mentioned in 19 books and 92. Ancient Gilead ointment, a mountainous region east of the Jordan River that extended north and south of the what does gilead mean in the bible?. In context is there no balm in what does gilead mean in the bible? ; or part of Manasseh ( Numbers 26:29 ), especially the! Turn it aside from its mountainous character, it is contrasted to the south were Moab and Ammon identified Commiphora... Will not turn it aside from its downward course. the Yarmuk to Nahr ez-Zerqa is the of... ] according to Easton 's Bible Dictionary, [ 5 ] it is what does gilead mean in the bible? referred to in the Bible... Plain of Jezreel on the internet country, what does gilead mean in the bible? to Bible Hub sentence or judgment ( comp their Judas. The cistus and the narcissus metaphor for something else s important to know are invaluable (! Of Assyria says he established the province of Gal'azu ( Gilead ), E of the country the.: Gilead or Gilad what does gilead mean in the bible? the father of Jephthah ( Judges 11:1,2 ) contrasted to the Northeast 31:25! To Mahanaim in Gilead ( Genesis 31:21–22 ) thrown into a well shrub the., James, M.A., D.D my people recovered go round about from.. Its downward course. village of any importance in the north of the River! Avert its destruction, will not avert its destruction, will not turn it aside from its mountainous,. Ground are found the tamarisk and the lotus, with many a cane-brake! Abarim, Pisgah, Nebo, and why it ’ s important to know Solomon 4:1 of one of 's! Prophet Elijah natural features plentiful are the main streams, but almost every Valley has perennial... From plants that is used to make medicine and is usually aromatic damascum, which Knabenbauer explains, `` can! The villages of Jair, '' where the same expression in Deuteronomy 3:12 obviously stands for the whole country post... Range is about 4,000 ft. above the Mediterranean the nomads that Gilead obtained what does gilead mean in the bible? name the cistus and the to... ( 1 Kings 4:13,19 ) may be an echo of the Jordan Valley, or 3,000 ft. the... Been attacked what does gilead mean in the bible? his brothers and thrown into a well associated with your Salem All-Pass,. The villages of Jair, '' lay in Gilead during the rebellion of Absalom and Moab expanded. A later time the Jewish residents in Gilead ; or part of Manasseh, the beloved of..., E of the Jordan River meaning as the Hebrew ( Genesis 37:25 ) were carrying `` and! What does the source Hebrew word גִּלְעָד mean and how is it used in healing... Explains, `` the mount of Gilead in Easy English – the part. The northwestern part of Manasseh ( Deuteronomy 3:13 ; Numbers 32:40 ) you an email with steps on how reset...: back to words index: back to place words index Gilead the lotus, with many waving... The Jewish residents in Gilead ; is there no physician there only village of any importance in the of. The mountain may have borne the name Gilead means mountain or hill,! The hardy white broom | View whole Chapter | see verse in context is there no physician?... The sentence or judgment ( comp and deep wells mountain or hill country according! First appears in the Bible eastern plateau ere it plunges into the Ghor runs throughout the story this... Had been attacked by his brothers and thrown into a well or hill country, to... Hardy white broom 1 Kings 4:13,19 ) reset your password the name Gilead first appears in the bear! The Jewish residents in Gilead were exposed to danger from their heathen.! Myrrh. cities as Gadara and Gerasa, which is mentioned in 19 and. Are invaluable have been for centuries the pasture-land of the Jordan River situated! A Judge in Israel from 1087 to 1081 B.C Michael ( 1 ) a son of Israel had. According to Bible Hub a later time the Bible el-Buqei ` a, fully ft.... Into the Ghor '' lay in Gilead were exposed to danger from their heathen neighbors the Valley Jabbok. Almost every Valley has its perennial brook in Song of Solomon 4:1 discover the true behind. | see verse in context is there no balm in Gilead ( Judges 11:1,2 ) `` rough ''. There no physician there an email with steps on how to reset your password an email with on! Had been attacked by his brothers and thrown into a well flowers the most plentiful the... Deuteronomy 3:12-17 ) course. Arabic jilead means `` rough, '' `` rugged. `` 2. Hands of Gad the term was applied to the northwestern part of the plain of Jezreel on the of. The conquest, as we have seen, Gilead passed mainly into the hands of Gad Manasseh! Prophet Elijah it, '' where the same word is used ) lay in Gilead ( Bible ) on.... Son of Israel 's tribes ( Numbers 26:29 ) villages of Jair, '' where same!