Places in the Bible · Region

Gilead

Gilead is a region mentioned in 86 verses. Its most likely location is Gilead 1. The name means “the heap or mass of testimony.”

panorama of hills in Gilead 1
panorama of hills in Gilead 1 · Photo: Adeeb Atwan (CC-BY-3.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Where is Gilead?

Approx. 32.1870, 35.6921 · OpenStreetMap · Google Maps

Possible modern locations

IdentificationTypeConfidence
Gilead 1regionHigh

Gilead in the Bible dictionary

Hill of testimony, (Gen. 31:21), a mountainous region east of Jordan. From its mountainous character it is called “the mount of Gilead” (Gen. 31:25). It is called also “the land of Gilead” (Num. 32:1), and sometimes simply “Gilead” (Ps. 60:7; Gen. 37:25). It comprised the possessions of the tribes of Gad and Reuben and the south part of Manasseh (Deut. 3:13; Num. 32:40). It was bounded on the north by Bashan, and on the south by Moab and Ammon (Gen. 31:21; Deut. 3:12-17). “Half Gilead” was possessed by Sihon, and the other half, separated from it by the river Jabbok, by Og, king of Bashan. The deep ravine of the river Hieromax (the modern Sheriat el-Mandhur) separated Bashan from Gilead, which was about 60 miles in length and 20 in breadth, extending from near the south end of the Lake of Gennesaret to the north end of the Dead Sea. Abarim, Pisgah, Nebo, and Peor are its mountains mentioned in Scripture.

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain. Full dictionary entry →

Verses that mention Gilead

  • Genesis 31:21

    So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.

  • Genesis 31:23

    And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.

  • Genesis 31:25

    Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.

  • Genesis 37:25

    And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

  • Numbers 32:1

    Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle;

  • Numbers 32:26

    Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead:

  • Numbers 32:29

    And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the Lord, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession:

  • Numbers 32:39

    And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it.

  • Numbers 32:40

    And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein.

  • Numbers 32:41

    And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havoth–jair.

All 86 references