Gilead

The region in TransJordan between, approximately, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Today it is part of the Heshemite Kingdom of Jordan.

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View, looking south, from the Golan Heights.

A mountainous region with a narrow tableland, reaching up to an altitude of nearly 1,000 m asl, the part north of the Jabbok was forested in ancient times. It was conquered by the Israelites before their entry into Canaan, and the land was divided between the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

Gilead was famous in the OT for its goats (Song 4:1, 6:5) and healing balm (Jer 8:22; 46:11). Separated from the rest of the nation by the Jordan, Gilead also served as a convenient refuge for those on the run. Beset by the dangers of the deserts to the east, however, Gileadites had always felt the neeed to remain within the fold of the rest of the nation. Isrealite presence in Gilead ended with the conquest of the region by the Assyrians.

One of the most famous sons of Gilead must be the prophet Elijah, "the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead" (1 Ki 17:1).