גַּד (gad)
gad
Fortune
N:N-M-TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-T
Word Overview
The noun gad refers to fortune or good luck, and in the Hebrew Bible it specifically denotes a Babylonian deity associated with fate. It appears only once in Scripture, in Isaiah 65:11, where it is listed among other foreign gods that Israel was forbidden to worship.
This term highlights the spiritual conflict between trusting in the God of Israel and seeking guidance from pagan sources. The inclusion of gad in Isaiah’s prophecy underscores the seriousness of idolatry, as it represents a reliance on unseen forces rather than divine providence.
While its usage is rare, gad serves as a reminder of the cultural and religious landscape of ancient Israel, where such beliefs posed a persistent challenge to faithfulness to Yahweh.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gad appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Isaiah 65:11. It refers to fortune or luck, but specifically as a Babylonian deity associated with fate. In this verse, it is listed among other foreign gods that Israel was forbidden to worship. This single occurrence highlights a clear spiritual choice: trusting in the God of Israel versus seeking guidance from pagan sources.
For your faith today, this reminds us that we do not need to rely on unseen forces or chance for our security. The Bible presents a consistent message that God is sovereign over all things. When we face uncertainty, we can turn to Him rather than looking for luck in other places. This ancient warning still speaks to the modern heart, inviting us to place our trust in a faithful Creator who knows our needs.
Understanding this rare term helps us appreciate the seriousness of idolatry in biblical times. It shows how persistent the challenge was for Israel to remain faithful to Yahweh. We can take comfort in knowing that our God is not distant or indifferent. He invites us into a relationship where we do not have to guess at our future, but can rest in His proven love and care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- for <the>/ Fortune1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/גַּד֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 65:11
“But you who forsake Yahweh, who forget my holy mountain, who prepare a table for Fortune, and who fill up mixed wine to Destiny;
This verse explicitly links gad with 'Destiny' as a foreign deity to be avoided, contrasting it with the worship of Yahweh.