גִּלְעָד
gil.ad
(Jabesh)-gilead
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Gilead: A Geographic Term in Biblical Hebrew Gilead (Hebrew: *gil'ad*) is a proper noun designating a specific region in ancient Near Eastern geography. The lexicon data identifies it with a particular place associated with Jabesh, indicating it functioned as a territorial designation rather than a common word with multiple meanings. With eleven occurrences in the biblical text, it appears with sufficient frequency to represent a significant location within the Hebrew scriptures. The designation "(Jabesh)-gilead" suggests this term could refer to a broader region or to a more specific settlement within that region, since Jabesh appears to be either a modifier or a related geographic identifier. This dual reference pattern is common in ancient place names, where a larger territorial unit might contain or be associated with more localized settlements. The term's consistent use as a proper noun across its biblical occurrences indicates it maintained a stable geographic referent throughout the texts in which it appears. While the lexicon entry itself provides limited detail about the term's specific characteristics or historical significance, its repeated appearance in the biblical canon—eleven times—demonstrates that Gilead held sufficient importance to warrant multiple textual references. The term functioned as a recognized geographic marker in the biblical world, anchoring narratives and historical accounts to a defined location or region.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences across the text
They found among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead four hundred young virgins who had not known man by lying with him; and they brought them to the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.
Judges 21:14Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh Gilead. There still weren’t enough for them.
1 Samuel 11:1Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh Gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.”
1 Samuel 11:3The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.”
1 Samuel 11:5Behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, “What ails the people that they weep?” They told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
1 Samuel 11:9They said to the messengers who came, “Tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be rescued.’ ” The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
1 Samuel 11:10Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do with us all that seems good to you.”
1 Samuel 31:12all the valiant men arose, went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh, and burned them there.
1 Samuel 31:13They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
1 Chronicles 10:12all the valiant men arose, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
1 Chronicles 10:12all the valiant men arose, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.