Gad

Gad was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after Gad, the seventh son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and Zilpah, Leah's maidservant (Gen.30.11; 35.26). The tribe of Gad played a significant role throughout Israel's history. During the Exodus, the tribe of Gad was counted among the Israelites (Numbers 1:14, 24-25) and was positioned on the south side of the tabernacle, along with the tribes of Reuben and Simeon (Numbers 2:14). The tribe of Gad, along with Reuben and half of Manasseh, settled in the region east of the Jordan River (Numbers 32;Joshua 13:24-28). They were known for their military prowess and bravery (1 Chronicles 12:8, 14). The Gadites were among the first to help David when he was hiding from Saul (1 Chronicles 12:8-15). They also supported David during the census and the purchase of the threshing floor for the temple (2 Samuel 24:5;1 Chronicles 21:2). The Gadites were blessed by Moses for their faithfulness and strength (Deuteronomy 33:20-21). The tribe of Gad was allotted cities and pasturelands in the region of Gilead (Joshua 13:24-28;1 Chronicles 6:63, 80). They, along with the other tribes east of the Jordan, built an altar as a witness to their unity with the rest of Israel (Joshua 22). The Gadites were among the first tribes to be taken into captivity by the Assyrians (1 Chronicles 5:26). In Ezekiel's vision of the restored Israel, the tribe of Gad is allotted a portion of land in the far north (Ezekiel 48:27-28, 34). In the book of Revelation, Gad is mentioned as one of the tribes with 12,000 sealed servants of God (Revelation 7:5).