1 Chronicles 5 11

1 Chronicles 5:11 kjv

And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah:

1 Chronicles 5:11 nkjv

And the children of Gad dwelt next to them in the land of Bashan as far as Salcah:

1 Chronicles 5:11 niv

The Gadites lived next to them in Bashan, as far as Salekah:

1 Chronicles 5:11 esv

The sons of Gad lived over against them in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah:

1 Chronicles 5:11 nlt

Next to the Reubenites, the descendants of Gad lived in the land of Bashan as far east as Salecah.

1 Chronicles 5 11 Cross References

Verse Text Reference
Gen 30:11 Leah said, “Fortunate!” and called his name Gad. Birth of Gad, ancestor of the tribe.
Gen 49:19 “Gad, a troop shall overpower him... Jacob's prophecy foreshadowing Gad's warrior nature.
Num 26:15-18 The descendants of Gad by their clans... Census of Gad's clans in the wilderness.
Num 32:1-5 Now the people of Reuben and the people of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock... said, “Let this land be given to your servants for a possession; do not take us across the Jordan.” Request for land east of Jordan due to livestock.
Num 32:33 And Moses gave to them... the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan... for a possession. Moses grants the land to trans-Jordanian tribes.
Deut 3:1-4 ...we turned and went up the way to Bashan... took all his cities; there was not a city which we did not take... Conquest of Bashan from Og, a key part of Gad's land.
Deut 3:8-10 So we took the land at that time... from the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Hermon, and all the cities of the tableland, and all Gilead and all Bashan, as far as Salcah and Edrei... Defines the eastern conquest from Og, including Bashan and Salcah.
Deut 3:12-16 And this land we took in possession at that time. From Aroer, which is by the Valley of the Arnon, and the half of the hill country of Gilead... Moses apportions the trans-Jordanian land, mentioning Gad's share.
Josh 12:4-5 ...Og king of Bashan... and ruled over Mount Hermon and Salcah and all Bashan... Summarizes the conquered territory of Og in Bashan and Salcah.
Josh 13:8-12 With them the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance... all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei. Describes the inheritance given to trans-Jordanian tribes.
Josh 13:24-28 To the tribe of Gad, to the children of Gad by their families, Moses gave a portion... And their territory was Jazer and all the cities of Gilead... Specific allotment of Gad's territory.
Josh 20:8 And beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they appointed Bezer... and Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad... Cities of refuge in Gad's territory, demonstrating its specific location.
Josh 22:9-10 And the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned home, parting from the people of Israel at Shiloh... built there an altar by the Jordan. Trans-Jordanian tribes return to their land.
Judg 5:17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan. Gad (representing Gilead) remaining in their trans-Jordanian territory during the battle against Sisera.
1 Chr 5:10 In the days of Saul they waged war against the Hagarites... they dwelt in their tents throughout all the region east of Gilead. Immediate preceding context, mentioning Reubenites living near Gad's territory.
1 Chr 5:18-20 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, mighty men of valor, men who carried shield and sword, drew the bow... were helped against them... for they cried to God in the battle... Characterization of the trans-Jordanian tribes, emphasizing their martial prowess.
1 Chr 5:26 So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria... and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh... to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river Gozan, to this day. Their eventual captivity, highlighting the loss of the land detailed in verse 11.
Ps 22:12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me. Bashan's fertility, symbolically referencing strong or fierce adversaries.
Ps 68:15 O mighty mountain, Mount Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, Mount Bashan! Poetic reference to the impressive geography of Bashan.
Amos 4:1 “Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy...” Figurative use of Bashan's cattle to describe affluent and oppressive women.
Ezek 39:18 You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth—of rams, of lambs, and of goats, bulls of Bashan, all of them fatlings. Bashan's fatlings as symbols of prosperity or strength for a prophetic consumption.

1 Chronicles 5 verses

1 Chronicles 5 11 Meaning

The verse specifies the dwelling place of the children of Gad, indicating their tribal territory was located next to the Reubenites, stretching across the fertile land of Bashan all the way to Salcah, a town on the eastern frontier. This geographically defines a significant portion of the trans-Jordanian land allotted to the tribe of Gad following the conquest under Moses and Joshua. It emphasizes their established and settled habitation within these designated bounds.

1 Chronicles 5 11 Context

1 Chronicles 5 focuses on the genealogies of the trans-Jordanian tribes: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The Chronicler, likely writing after the Babylonian exile, meticulously records these genealogies and their territories to establish a continuous link from Israel's past to the returning exiles, affirming their identity and historical claims to the land. This chapter, specifically from verses 11-17, delves into the tribe of Gad. Their territory east of the Jordan, particularly the fertile region of Bashan, was initially chosen by them due to its excellent pasture land suitable for their numerous flocks (Num 32). This decision set them apart geographically from the other tribes who settled west of the Jordan. While blessed with fertile land, their location on the fringes of the populated areas of Israel made them vulnerable to invasions from eastern powers, eventually leading to their early captivity as described later in this chapter (1 Chr 5:26).

1 Chronicles 5 11 Word analysis

  • And next to them: Indicates a contiguous geographical relationship. This links Gad's territory directly to the Reubenites, who were mentioned just prior (1 Chr 5:10). The Chronicler emphasizes tribal proximity in their settled land.
  • dwelt (וְיָשְׁבוּ - ve-yashvu): From the Hebrew root יָשַׁב (yashab), meaning "to sit, dwell, inhabit, remain." This signifies permanent settlement, not just passing through or temporary encampment. It underscores the establishment of a fixed tribal inheritance within these bounds. The verb choice reinforces the fulfillment of the divine promise of land.
  • the children of Gad (בְּנֵי גָּד - benei Gad): Refers to the tribe descending from Gad, one of Jacob's sons. The term "children of" highlights their tribal identity and descent, a crucial aspect of the genealogies in Chronicles. The Gadites were known for their military prowess, as mentioned in Jacob's blessing (Gen 49:19) and affirmed by their actions (1 Chr 5:18-20).
  • in the land of Bashan (בְּאֶרֶץ הַבָּשָׁן - be-eretz ha-Bashan):
    • land (אֶרֶץ - eretz): Denotes a distinct region or territory.
    • Bashan (בָּשָׁן - Bashan): A notoriously fertile and prosperous region east of the Jordan River, famous for its rich pastures, strong oaks, and robust cattle (Ps 22:12; Ezek 39:18). It was part of the territory conquered from Og, king of Bashan (Deut 3:3-4). Its fertility attracted the tribes, but its proximity to major trade routes and external empires also exposed it to invasions.
  • unto Salcah (עַד סַלְכָה - ad Salcah):
    • unto (עַד - ad): A preposition meaning "as far as, up to, until," marking the extent or boundary.
    • Salcah (סַלְכָה - Salcah): An easternmost city in Bashan, located near the border of the Syrian desert (Deut 3:10; Josh 12:5; 13:11). Mentioning this specific place emphasizes the geographical precision and the clearly defined borders of Gad's inheritance, stretching to the very edge of Israelite claims in that direction.
  • Words-Group analysis:
    • "dwelt the children of Gad, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah": This phrase paints a picture of established territorial control. The emphasis on "dwelt" highlights permanent habitation. The description "land of Bashan unto Salcah" meticulously defines the eastward extent of Gad's significant and valuable territory, affirming the historical reality of their possession as per divine promise and conquest. This geographic detail validates the ancestral land claims important to the post-exilic community.

1 Chronicles 5 11 Bonus section

The Chronicler's emphasis on such precise geographical details in these genealogies served a crucial purpose for the Jewish community returning from exile. It was a reaffirmation of their national and tribal identity, ensuring that they knew their heritage, their original boundaries, and their place within the historical tapestry of Israel. This detail about Gad's dwelling place underscores the principle that the land of Israel, including its trans-Jordanian territories, was a divine inheritance carefully partitioned. Despite its richness, the trans-Jordanian position of Gad also implicitly highlights the vulnerability of these tribes, geographically distant from the religious and political center in Jerusalem, a factor that might have contributed to their earlier decline and captivity (as described later in 1 Chr 5:26). The detailed description implicitly serves as a poignant reminder of what was given and what was lost.

1 Chronicles 5 11 Commentary

1 Chronicles 5:11 precisely delineates the physical boundary of the tribe of Gad, emphasizing their established settlement "in the land of Bashan unto Salcah." This seemingly simple geographic detail carries layers of significance for the Chronicler. It underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to grant land to His people, illustrating how a specific tribe, Gad, fully occupied its designated inheritance. The choice of Bashan highlights a region known for its fertility and abundance, suitable for Gad's livestock, validating the historical rationale for their trans-Jordanian settlement. For the post-exilic audience, this detailed land description served as a vital record, connecting them to their tribal heritage and reinforcing their ancient claims to the land, even if some of these territories had long been lost. It confirms the integrity of Israel's tribal allocations and provides context for understanding their history, including the later account of their sin and subsequent exile, which resulted in the loss of this very land. The careful naming of boundaries also reflected the Mosaic law's concern for clear inheritance and order within the tribes.