Who was Gilead in the Bible?

Gilead was a descendant of Manasseh, the son of Michael, and the father of Jaroah. He is mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Gad, establishing his family line within the Israelite tribes (1 Chronicles 5:14).

Why is Gilead mentioned in the Bible?

Gilead's primary significance is genealogical, as his listing helps trace the lineage of the Gadites. This was important for establishing tribal heritage, land inheritance, and identity within the nation of Israel.

Are there any stories about Gilead in the Bible?

No, the Bible does not record any specific events or stories from Gilead's life. His mention is limited to his name within a family list, with no narrative details provided about his actions or deeds.

Gilead

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSonFather

Gilead, a descendant of Manasseh, was the son of Michael and the father of Jaroah, as recorded in the genealogy of the tribe of Gad.

Gilead

Biography

This Gilead appears in 1 Chronicles 5:14 within the genealogy of the tribe of Gad, identified as a son of Michael and father of Jaroah in a lineage that traced the Gadite clan through several generations. His placement in the genealogy connects him to the tribal heritage of Gad, one of the twelve tribes that settled in the Transjordan region east of the Jordan River, a territory that also bore the name Gilead, creating an interesting overlap between the personal name and the geographic name associated with that region. The Chronicler preserved these Transjordanian genealogies partly to affirm the tribal continuity of communities that had been carried into exile by Assyria (1 Chronicles 5:26).

Significance

The Gilead of 1 Chronicles 5:14 serves as a link in the genealogical chain preserving the identity of the tribe of Gad through the trauma of Assyrian exile. His inclusion in the Chronicler's tribal records reflects the theological conviction that God did not abandon the northern tribes, even as they faced deportation for covenant unfaithfulness. Genealogical memory was itself a form of hope, a declaration that God remembered each family within his covenant people. The geographic resonance of the name Gilead, shared with the trans-Jordanian highlands, also suggests deep roots connecting people and land in the biblical worldview, where identity, territory, and covenant belonging were inseparably intertwined.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 5:14

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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