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Gilead

Gilead Region

RegionOld Testament
32.3500°N, 35.8500°E View on Map

About Gilead

Gilead was a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, known for its healing balm and rich pastures. It was home to the prophet Elijah and the judge Jephthah. Jacob and Laban made their covenant at a cairn of stones they named Galeed (Gilead). The region was allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.

ElijahLinked to this placeElijahNative of Gilead who confronted Ahab

History of Gilead

  1. Patriarchal~1909 BC

    Laban pursues Jacob and catches him in Gilead

    GEN 31:21-25

  2. Conquest~1406 BC

    Moses gives Gilead to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh

    NUM 32:1-5, 33-42

  3. Judges~1100 BC

    Jephthah the Gileadite delivers Israel from the Ammonites

    JDG 11:1-11

  4. United Kingdom~860 BC

    Elijah the Tishbite comes from Gilead

    1KI 17:1

  5. Divided Kingdom~732 BC

    Assyria conquers Gilead and deports its inhabitants

    2KI 15:29

Notable Characters in Gilead

Elijah
Elijah

Native of Gilead who confronted Ahab

Jephthah
Jephthah

Gileadite judge who defeated the Ammonites

Jacob
Jacob

Made a covenant with Laban in Gilead

Locations Related to Gilead

Jordan River
Jordan River

Gilead was the hill country east of the Jordan River

View on Map
Moab
Moab

Gilead bordered Moab to the south

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Biblical Significance of Gilead

Gilead was the mountainous region east of the Jordan River, known for its fertile pastures and healing balm ('Is there no balm in Gilead?'). It was home to rugged, independent Israelites including Elijah and Jephthah. The Gileadites were among the first to face foreign invasion, being on Israel's frontier. The region's balm became a metaphor for healing, later used to speak of spiritual restoration.

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