Genesis 49:19 Commentary and Bible Study

Jacob works and reworks the meanings of his sons’ names Gad means ‘a troop’ – Jacob says ‘a troop shall overcome him’. According to Moses in Deuteronomy 33, Gad had a reputation for fierceness. He was in a similar position to Dan, but for different reasons. He had settled by Moses’ permission east of Jordan, taking land conquered by Israel on their approach to Canaan. At least he hadn't chosen entirely for himself, because Gad had asked consent to be there. As a result was exposed to marauders coming from the east: the Midianites, the Ammonites, the Arabs, were constantly sending raiding parties, but he overcame in the end. Matthew Henry relates to 1 Chronicles 5:18-22 in which it is recorded that many of the enemies who had oppressed them were decisively defeated. But after this Gad was carried away by the Assyrians along with the other tribes east of Jordan. (1 Chronicles 5:26). This prophecy evidently does not make Gad immune from the general judgment that God sent on the northern tribes and of those east of Jordan in particular because of their unfaithfulness and idolatry (1 Chronicles 5:25). This is the latest historical record of the Gadites in the Old Testament and we do not read of their subsequent recovery as a tribe. It would be right however to see this as a prophecy of grace. Ezekiel mentions Gad several times in chapter 48 in his vision of the distribution of the land to the tribes. Along with Reuben and the half tribe of Manasseh, Gad chose to settle to the east of Jordan. Moses warns them strongly that they are in danger of disobeying God, and putting their own comforts first. They respond to that warning, but are left with the difficulty of being exposed to hostile neighbours.