Gilead

A mountainous region east of the Jordan — known for its healing balm and as a place of refuge

Definition

Gilead was a fertile, forested region in the Transjordan, allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. It was famous for its medicinal balm — Jeremiah 8:22 asks 'Is there no balm in Gilead?' as a metaphor for Israel's need for healing. Jacob and Laban made their covenant there. Elijah was from Gilead. It became a symbol of healing and restoration.

Used In30 mentions across 12 books

1 chronicles

The Brave Men of Jabesh

1 Chronicles 10:11-12

Gilead is the region where Jabesh is located, east of the Jordan — its people are the ones who make the dangerous journey to recover Saul's body from Philistine territory.

1 kings

Twelve Governors, One System

1 Kings 4:7-19

1 samuel

A Farmer Hears the News

1 Samuel 11:4-7

2 chronicles

Walking Into Someone Else's War

2 Chronicles 22:5-6

Gilead is the contested eastern territory where the battle against Hazael took place — the flashpoint that wounded Joram and set the fatal chain of events in motion.

2 kings

How It Ended ⏳

2 Kings 10:32-36

Gilead is specifically named as one of the territories stripped from Israel by Hazael, the loss of this historically significant region east of the Jordan being part of the tangible cost of Jehu's incomplete faithfulness.

Like Mother, Like Son

2 Kings 8:25-29

Ramoth-gilead is the contested battleground where Joram's forces fight Hazael's Syrians — the same strategically vital eastern territory that has been a flashpoint between Israel and Syria for generations.

2 samuel

Preparations on Both Sides

2 Samuel 17:24-29

Gilead is invoked here through Barzillai, whose identity as a Gileadite marks him as a man of the rugged eastern territory now sheltering the king that the capital has rejected.