גִּלְעָדִי (gil.a.di)
gil.a.di
Gileadite
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The noun gil’adi identifies a person from Gilead, a rugged territory east of the Jordan River. The term functions as an ethnic or geographic label, distinguishing inhabitants of this highland region from those in the lowlands or other tribal territories. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears roughly ten times, primarily within historical narratives and census records.
Lexical sources indicate that Gilead itself is associated with rocky terrain, suggesting a landscape defined by its steep slopes and fortified positions. Consequently, a gil’adi is often linked to the tribe of Manasseh, specifically the descendants of Gilead, who settled in this mountainous area. This connection highlights how local identity was tied to both lineage and the challenging geography they inhabited.
The word carries significant narrative weight in books like Judges and Numbers, where it marks characters or groups operating within this specific borderland. Its usage helps readers visualize the political and tribal divisions of ancient Israel, emphasizing that loyalty and identity were often rooted in these distinct regional communities rather than a unified national center alone.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The term gil’adi simply identifies someone from Gilead, a rugged region east of the Jordan River. In ancient Israel, local identity was often tied to lineage and the specific landscape where one lived. This word reminds us that God’s people were not a monolith but a collection of distinct communities, each with their own history and character.
Several figures in Scripture are labeled this way, most notably Jephthah and Barzillai. Their stories show that God uses people from every background and region to accomplish His purposes. A person’s origin does not disqualify them; instead, their faithfulness often shines brightest against the backdrop of their unique circumstances.
When we read about these Gileadites, we see a tapestry of loyalty and courage. Barzillai showed kindness to David when he was fleeing, while Jephthah led his people in times of crisis. These accounts encourage us that our own local contexts and histories are part of God’s larger story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Gileadite8×
- the/ Gileadite[s]1×
- [the] Gileadites1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/גִּלְעָדִי֙3×
- הַ/גִּלְעָדִ֑י2×
- הַ/גִּלְעָדִֽי\׃1×
- הַ/גִּלְעָדִ֗י1×
- הַ/גִּלְעָדִ֖י1×
- הַ/גִּלְעָדִ֔י1×
- גִלְעָדִ֑ים1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 11:1
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor. He was the son of a prostitute. Gilead became the father of Jephthah.
This verse introduces Jephthah as a 'mighty man of valor' from Gilead, highlighting how his regional identity is linked to his leadership role despite his marginalized family background.
-
II Samuel 17:27
When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
Barzillai the Gileadite is listed among those who provided supplies to David, demonstrating the practical loyalty and support offered by this specific community during a national crisis.
-
I Kings 2:7
But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
David commands Solomon to show kindness to Barzillai’s descendants, preserving the memory of this Gileadite’s faithful hospitality as a lasting legacy for future generations.