Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Gad"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Gad
fortune; luck. (1.) Jacob's seventh son, by Zilpah, Leah's
handmaid, and the brother of Asher (Gen. 30:11-13; 46:16, 18).
In the Authorized Version of 30:11 the words, "A troop cometh:
and she called," etc., should rather be rendered, "In fortune
[R.V., 'Fortunate']: and she called," etc., or "Fortune cometh,"
etc.
The tribe of Gad during the march through the wilderness had
their place with Simeon and Reuben on the south side of the
tabernacle (Num. 2:14). The tribes of Reuben and Gad continued
all through their history to follow the pastoral pursuits of the
patriarchs (Num. 32:1-5).
The portion allotted to the tribe of Gad was on the east of
Jordan, and comprehended the half of Gilead, a region of great
beauty and fertility (Deut. 3:12), bounded on the east by the
Arabian desert, on the west by the Jordan (Josh. 13:27), and on
the north by the river Jabbok. It thus included the whole of the
Jordan valley as far north as to the Sea of Galilee, where it
narrowed almost to a point.
This tribe was fierce and warlike; they were "strong men of
might, men of war for the battle, that could handle shield and
buckler, their faces the faces of lions, and like roes upon the
mountains for swiftness" (1 Chr. 12:8; 5:19-22). Barzillai (2
Sam. 17:27) and Elijah (1 Kings 17:1) were of this tribe. It was
carried into captivity at the same time as the other tribes of
the northern kingdom by Tiglath-pileser (1 Chr. 5:26), and in
the time of Jeremiah (49:1) their cities were inhabited by the
Ammonites.
(2.) A prophet who joined David in the "hold," and at whose
advice he quitted it for the forest of Hareth (1 Chr. 29:29; 2
Chr. 29:25; 1 Sam. 22:5). Many years after we find mention made
of him in connection with the punishment inflicted for numbering
the people (2 Sam. 24:11-19; 1 Chr. 21:9-19). He wrote a book
called the "Acts of David" (1 Chr. 29:29), and assisted in the
arrangements for the musical services of the "house of God" (2
Chr. 29:25). He bore the title of "the king's seer" (2 Sam.
24:11, 13; 1 Chr. 21:9).
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Gad \Gad\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Gadded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Gadding}.] [Prob. fr. gad, n., and orig. meaning to drive
about.]
To walk about; to rove or go about, without purpose; hence,
to run wild; to be uncontrolled. ``The gadding vine.''
--Milton.
Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way?
--Jer. ii. 36.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Gad \Gad\, n. [OE. gad, Icel. gaddr goad, sting; akin to Sw.
gadd sting, Goth. gazds, G. gerte switch. See {Yard} a
measure.]
1. The point of a spear, or an arrowhead.
2. A pointed or wedge-shaped instrument of metal, as a steel
wedge used in mining, etc.
I will go get a leaf of brass, And with a gad of
steel will write these words. --Shak.
3. A sharp-pointed rod; a goad.
4. A spike on a gauntlet; a gadling. --Fairholt.
5. A wedge-shaped billet of iron or steel. [Obs.]
Flemish steel . . . some in bars and some in gads.
--Moxon.
6. A rod or stick, as a fishing rod, a measuring rod, or a
rod used to drive cattle with. [Prov. Eng. Local, U.S.]
--Halliwell. Bartlett.
{Upon the gad}, upon the spur of the moment; hastily. [Obs.]
``All this done upon the gad!'' --Shak.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
GAD
n 1: an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic free-floating
anxiety and such symptoms as tension or sweating or
trembling of light-headedness or irritability etc that
has lasted for more than six months [syn: {generalized
anxiety disorder}, {GAD}, {anxiety reaction}]
2: a sharp prod fixed to a rider's heel and used to urge a
horse onward; "cowboys know not to squat with their spurs
on" [syn: {spur}]
v : wander aimlessly in search of pleasure [syn: {gallivant}, {jazz
around}]
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