Gad
- Dates
- 1704–1600 BC
Name means "fortune." He is the seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and brother of Asher. Jacob predicts that Gad's descendents will be pushed by strong enemies, but they will prevail against them. Gad has seven sons.
In detail
A son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's maidservant (Gen 30:10, 11). Jacob predicted that Gad's descendants would be hard pressed by hostile forces, but would stand against them (ch 49:19). Of Gad's 7 sons (ch 46:16), at least 6 were heads of tribal families (Num 26:15—18).
Bible passages
- Genesis 30:9-11
9 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. 10 And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a son. 11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
Text of the King James Version.