### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Gilʻâd**, represented by `{{H1568}}`, appears **134 times** across **123 unique verses** in the Bible. It primarily refers to **Gilad, a region East of the Jordan**, but is also used as the name of three Israelites. The name signifies a crucial territory in Israel's history, a patriarchal figure, and a potent symbol of both fertility and conflict.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H1568}}` is central to the identity of the tribes east of the Jordan. The children of Reuben and Gad saw the land of Gilead as a desirable place for their great multitude of cattle [[Numbers 32:1]]. The region, along with Bashan, was given as an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh, whose ancestor Machir was the father of Gilead [[Joshua 17:1]]. The name also marks personal lineage, as with Jephthah, whose father was named Gilead [[Judges 11:1]]. The region was often a site of intense conflict, threshed by Damascus with instruments of iron [[Amos 1:3]] and attacked by the Ammonites [[Amos 1:13]]. Figuratively, it was renowned for its healing **balm** [[Jeremiah 8:22]] and its natural beauty, as seen when a lover's hair is compared to a flock of goats appearing from Mount Gilead [[Song of Solomon 4:1]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide deeper context for the role and identity of Gilead:
* `{{H1316}}` **Bâshân** (Bashan): A region east of the Jordan, frequently mentioned alongside Gilead as a fertile and strategic territory promised to and possessed by Israelite tribes ([[Micah 7:14]], [[Joshua 17:1]]).
* `{{H4353}}` **Mâkîyr** (Machir): Defined as salesman; Makir, an Israelite. He is identified as the **father** of Gilead, establishing the patriarchal line that gave its name to the region and its people within the tribe of Manasseh [[Numbers 26:29]].
* `{{H3316}}` **Yiphtâch** (Jephthah): An Israelite whose father was named Gilead. Jephthah, a mighty man of valour, became **head** and **captain** over the elders and people of Gilead ([[Judges 11:1]], [[Judges 11:11]]).
* `{{H6875}}` **tsᵉrîy** (balm): An aromatic gum for which Gilead was famous. Its absence is used metaphorically to question why the health of God's people is not recovered [[Jeremiah 8:22]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H1568}}` is significant, representing God's promises, judgments, and faithfulness.
* **Land of Inheritance**: Gilead is a key component of the inheritance given by God to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh ([[Deuteronomy 3:12-13]], [[Joshua 22:9]]). The lineage of Gilead is directly tied to this possession.
* **Place of Judgment and Iniquity**: The prophets condemned Gilead for its sin, describing it as a **city** of them that work **iniquity** and polluted with **blood** [[Hosea 6:8]]. It suffered brutal attacks from enemies like Damascus and Ammon as a consequence ([[Amos 1:3]], [[Amos 1:13]]).
* **Symbol of Restoration and Healing**: Despite its judgments, Gilead is a focus of God's promised restoration. The Lord promises to bring Israel back to feed in Gilead and be satisfied ([[Jeremiah 50:19]], [[Zechariah 10:10]]). The famous question, "Is there no **balm** in Gilead?" highlights a deep spiritual need for the healing that should originate from God's people [[Jeremiah 8:22]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1568}}` is far more than a geographical location. It is a foundational element in the history of Israel's eastern tribes, a name carried by key ancestral figures, and a powerful biblical symbol. It illustrates the cycle of divine promise, human sin, national judgment, and the ultimate hope of restoration and healing that defines the relationship between God and His people.
TRV