Genesis 49:19 — Word Study
WLCגָּ֖ד גְּד֣וּד יְגוּדֶ֑נּוּ וְה֖וּא יָגֻ֥ד עָקֵֽב׃ ס
BSAGadGâd [a troop, a band of soldiers] will be attackedgûwd▸ [raided, overcome] ◂by raidersgᵉdûwd [a group of bandits, an army] ◂but hehûwʼ [as a tribe, his descendants] will attackgûwd▸ [press upon, overcome] their heelsʻâqêb [the rear, the last part of the enemy]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| גָּ֖ד | Gad | Noun proper masculine |
| גְּד֣וּד | a marauding band | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| יְגוּדֶ֑נּוּ | it will attack him | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| וְה֖וּא | and he | Conjunction, pronoun |
| יָגֻ֥ד | he will attack | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| עָקֵֽב׃ ס | a heel | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels. |
| KJV | ¶ Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. |
| ASV | Gad, a troop shall press upon him; But he shall press upon their heel. |
| YLT | Gad! a troop assaulteth him, But he assaulteth last. |
| WEB | “A troop will press on Gad, but he will press on their heel. |
| BBE | Gad, an army will come against him, but he will come down on them in their flight. |
Translations agree on the key actions described in the verse.
The sentence has two main clauses connected by a conjunction, highlighting the contrast between the attack and the counterattack.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectגְּדוּד
verbגּוּד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 49:19
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Blessings of Jacobgenerated
Genesis 49:19 is part of Jacob's blessings to his sons, where he speaks of Gad's future. Jacob prophesies that Gad will be attacked by raiders, indicating a time of struggle, yet Gad will retaliate by attacking back. This duality reflects the challenges and resilience of Gad's descendants, who were known as warriors among the tribes of Israel.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 30:11 | Then Leah said, “How fortunate!” So she named him Gad. |
| 2 | Genesis 46:16 | The sons of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. |
| 3 | Numbers 32:1–42 | Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 33:20–21 | Concerning Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges the domain of Gad! He lies down like a lion and tears off an arm or a head. |
| 5 | Joshua 13:8 | The other half of Manasseh, along with the Reubenites and Gadites, had received the inheritance Moses had given them beyond the Jordan to the east, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had assigned to them: |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — גָּד, gadgenerated
The name גָּד (gad) refers to the seventh son of Jacob and Zilpah, and the tribe that descended from him. The name means 'troop', signifying a group or band of soldiers, which aligns with Gad's role as a warrior tribe in Israel.
In this verse, Gad is depicted as both a target of attack and a fighter. The parsing as a proper noun highlights Gad's identity as a tribe, emphasizing the collective nature of the descendants who will engage in battle.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The sentence consists of two main clauses connected by a conjunction. The first clause describes Gad being attacked by raiders, while the second clause states that he will attack their heels. This structure emphasizes the contrast between being attacked and the response of counterattack.
The finite verbs are יְגוּדֶ֑נּוּ and יָגֻ֥ד, indicating the actions of being attacked and attacking, respectively. The Hebrew word order places focus on Gad's actions, highlighting his role in the conflict.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates גָּד as γαδ, maintaining the identity of the tribe. The translation of גְּדוּד as πειρατήριον suggests a focus on the marauding nature of the attackers, emphasizing the threat Gad faces.
The choice of words in the Septuagint reflects an interpretation that highlights the conflict and the nature of the adversaries.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 49:19 tells us that Gad, one of Jacob's sons, will be attacked by raiders, but he will fight back against them. This shows the challenges Gad's descendants will face and their strength in responding to those challenges.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that Gad's descendants will face significant challenges and conflicts, possibly in battles or raids.
Attacking the heels suggests a strategic response, targeting the vulnerable parts of the enemy, which reflects Gad's warrior nature.
The tribe of Gad was known for its military prowess and played a significant role in battles throughout Israel's history, aligning with this prophecy.
Gad's response to being attacked illustrates the importance of resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I show resilience when facing challenges?
- How can I respond strategically to conflicts in my life?
- What does it mean to me that Gad's descendants were known as warriors?
- How can I support others who are facing their own battles?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Christian writers have commented on this verse, interpreting it in the context of trials and the nature of conflict faced by the faithful.
Through the expression “a gang of enemies” (or “a place of trial”) the prophet signifies the evil Sanhedrin of the high priests and scribes,Early Church Fathers on Genesis 49 →
When temptation arose, it tempted him, and he tempted them by deceiving them. Temptation is the gathering and cunning of the scribes and priests who were tempting the Lord Jesus about the tribute to Caesar, and about John's baptism,Early Church Fathers on Genesis 49 →
And therefore, according to a similar process, the moral sense develops: that man of ours, after confessing his error, by his repentance turns out to be converted through knowledge and shows a significant progress,Early Church Fathers on Genesis 49 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 49:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleGad, a troop shall overcome him,.... There is a paronomasia, or an allusion to the name of Gad almost in every word of the verse, which signifies a troop: the whole is a prediction that this tribe
Read John Gill on Genesis 49 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryGad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 49 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Biblei.e. Troops of enemies shall frequently invade his country, and for a time conquer and spoil it. And so it came to pass, because the inheritance of that tribe lay beyond Jordan, near to the Ammonites and Moabites, two inveterate enemies of Israel, and to other hostile nations on the east. But he shall overcome at the last, or, afterward. This was fulfilled, , &c. He shows that the events of the wars should be various, but Gad should one time or other spoil his spoilers. See .
Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 49 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 49:19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. Ver. 19. Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but.] This is every good Christian’ s case in the spiritual warfare; he conquers, but comes to it through many conflicts and counter buffs. He "made war upon the saints, and overcame them": for a season it may be, according to human conceit howsoever. But "they conquered and overcame him," according to the truth of the thing, "by the blood of the Lamb," in whom they do overcome, and "are more than conquerors." This was fulfilled in the tribe of Gad.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 49 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(19) Gad.—The word Gad, as we have seen (Genesis 30:11), means good fortune, but Jacob connects it with the root gâdad, “to gather in troops.” Thus, then, “A troop” or “throng of plunderers shall throng upon him, but he shall throng upon their heel.” Settling upon the east of the Jordan he shall be exposed to many a sudden incursion of plunderers, but, though ever unready, he shall gather his forces and repel them, and follow with avenging energy upon their rear.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 49 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges19. a troop] Heb. gedud, “a marauding band.” shall press] Heb. gad, to press. These words furnish a double play upon the name of the tribe Gad. Gad … gedud yegudennu … yagud ‘ekκbβm = “Gad, raiders shall raid him, but he shall raid their rear (lit. heel).” LXX πειρατήριονπειρατεύσειαὐτόναὐτὸςδὲπειρατεύσειαὐτῷκατὰπόδας. This warlike and independent tribe seem to have been successful in repelling the bands of marauders, Ammonites, Moabites, and Aramaeans, who threatened the eastern border of Gilead. Cf. Judges 10:7-12; 1 Chronicles 5:18-22. Later on, however, the tribe seems to have succumbed. Jeremiah 49:1. upon their heel] i.e. he will repulse and pursue them closely, and hang upon their…
Read Cambridge on Genesis 49 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible19. A crowd shall crowd him — In this verse we have a more notable play on words than in any other part of the chapter. Every word in the verse but he and heel is a form of the word Gad.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 49 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.
“A troop will press on Gad, but he will press on their heel.
Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.
Gad will be raided by marauding bands, but he will attack them at their heels.
Tyndale line
¶ Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
Gad, a troop shall press upon him; But he shall press upon their heel.
Gad, a troop shall press upon him: But he shall press upon their heel.
Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
Gad, an hoste of men shall ouercome him, but he shall ouercome at the last.
Strictly literal
Gad — troops will rush upon him; But he will rush upon the heel.
Gad! a troop assaulteth him, But he assaulteth last.
Gad! A troop assaults him, || But he assaults last.
Gad, troops will band against him; but he shall wound their heel.
Gad—raiders will attack him, but he will attack them at their heels.
From the Latin
Gad, being girded, shall fight before him: and he himself shall be girded backward.
Simplified
Raiders will attack Gad, but he will attack their heels.
Gad, an army will come against him, but he will come down on them in their flight.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show agreement in five of the six words. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs in two words: it uses יגידנו (attack) instead of יְגוּדֶ֑נּוּ, and יגיד (report) instead of יָגֻ֥ד.
גָּ֖ד גְּד֣וּד יְגוּדֶ֑נּוּ וְה֖וּא יָגֻ֥ד עָקֵֽב׃ ס
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
גד גדוד יגידנו והוא יגיד עקב
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: יגידנו (attack), יגיד (report)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 49:19
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
גָּד (Gad) refers to a son of Jacob and Zilpah, as well as the tribe descended from him. The name means 'troop' and is associated with a prophet during David's time. Gad is first mentioned in Genesis 30:11 and is noted for his role in David's reign, including contributions to musical arrangements and involvement in census events.
גָּד 71 n.pr.m. (fortunatus?)
son of Jacob and Zilpah
a prophet in David's time
base
H1410 גָּד . son of Jacob and Zilpah
. a prophet in David's time
1410 Gad gawd
from 1464; Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its
territory; also a prophet:--Gad.
see HEBREW for 01464
גָּד (gad) — Gad.
A man of the tribe of Gad living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.11;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Zilpah (H2153);
brother of: Asher (H0836);
half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Ziphion (H6837), Haggi (H2291), Shuni (H7764), Ezbon (H0675), Eri (H6179), Arod (H0720) and Areli (H0692)
§ Gad = "troop"
1) seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher.
2) the tribe descended from Gad
3) a prophet during the time of David; appears to have joined David when in the hold; reappears in connection with the punishment for taking a census; also assisted in the arrangements for the musical service of the "house of God"
גָּד (gad) — Gad.
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
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).
(a troop). Jacob’s seventh son, the first-born of Zilpah, Leah’s maid, and whole-brother to Asher. (Genesis 30;11-13; 46:16,18) (B.C. 1753-1740.) "The seer," or "the king’s seer," i.e. David’s (1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 29:25) was a "prophet" who appears to have joined David when in the old. (1 Samuel 22:5) (B.C. 1061.) He reappears in connection with the punishment inflicted for the numbering of the people. (2 Samuel 24:11-19; 1 Chronicles 21:9-19) He wrote a book of the Acts of David, (1 Chronicles 29:29) and also assisted in the arrangements for the…
Prosperity, fortune,
1. Son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah’s servant, Ge 30:11. Leah called him Gad, and said, "A troop cometh." Compare Ge 49:19; but many Hebrew scholars prefer the rendering, good fortune or prosperity cometh. The tribe of Gad came out of Egypt in number forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty, Ge 46:16 Nu 1:24. After the defeat of the kings Og and Sihon, Gad and Reuben desired to have their allotment east of Jordan, alleging their great number of cattle. Moses granted their request, on condition that they should accompany their brethren, and assist in conquering the land west of Jordan, Nu 32:1-42. The…
a band; a troop
גְּדוּד (gduwd) refers to a band or troop, often associated with soldiers or marauding groups. It encompasses meanings like a raiding band or a company within an army. The term is derived from a related root, indicating a crowd or assembly, particularly in a military context.
גְּדוּד n.m. band, troop
marauding band
troop
foray, raid
base
H1416 גְּדוּד band, troop
1416 gduwd ghed-ood'
from 1413; a crowd (especially of soldiers):--army, band (of
men), company, troop (of robbers).
see HEBREW for 01413
גְּדוּד (ge.dud) — band.
1) a band, troop, marauding band
1a) marauding band, raiding band
1b) troop, band (of divisions of army)
1c) foray, raid
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
The English word has two generic meanings, each shading off into several specific meanings:
(1) that which holds together, binds or encircles: a bond;
(2) a company of men. The second sense may philologically and logically have been derived from the first, men being held together by social ties. Both meanings appear in Old Testament and New Testament representing various Hebrew and Greek words.
(1) A band
(a) ('ecur): a flaxen rope (Jud 15:14); a band of iron and brass (Da 4:15,23); metaphorically used of a false woman's hands (Ec 7:26).
(b) (chebhel): "The bands of the wicked have robbed me" (the King James Version of Ps 119:61), where "bands" = "troops" by mistr; the Revised…
The "band of Roman soldiers" referred to in (Matthew 27:27) and elsewhere was the tenth part of a legion. It was called a "cohort," and numbered 400 to 600 men. [See ARMY]
גּוּד (guwd) is a primitive root meaning to invade or attack. The entries indicate it encompasses actions like raiding and overcoming, primarily in a military context. The verb appears in various forms, notably in the Qal stem, which emphasizes the action of attacking.
[גּוּד] vb. invade, attack
base
H1464 [גּוּד] invade, attack
1464 guwd goode
a primitive root (akin to 1413); to crowd upon, i.e.
attack:--invade, overcome.
see HEBREW for 01413
גּוּד (gud) — to raid.
1) to invade, attack
1a) (Qal) to attack
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqi3ms/Sp3ms
הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.
הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it
an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
It resumes the subj. with emph.
Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
As an emph. predicate, of God
In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
base
H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
. It resumes the subj. with emph.
. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
. As an emph. predicate, of God
. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
1931 huw' hoo
of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a
primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or
it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also
(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;
sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally
(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),
it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,
this, those, which (is), who.
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
pron 3p s
1) he, she, it
1a) himself (with emphasis)
1b) resuming subj with emphasis
1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)
1d) (anticipating subj)
1e) (emphasising predicate)
1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron
2) that (with article)
Conj | Pron — Conjunction · pronounHC/Pp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
גּוּד (guwd) is a primitive root meaning to invade or attack. The entries indicate it encompasses actions like raiding and overcoming, primarily in a military context. The verb appears in various forms, notably in the Qal stem, which emphasizes the action of attacking.
[גּוּד] vb. invade, attack
base
H1464 [גּוּד] invade, attack
1464 guwd goode
a primitive root (akin to 1413); to crowd upon, i.e.
attack:--invade, overcome.
see HEBREW for 01413
גּוּד (gud) — to raid.
1) to invade, attack
1a) (Qal) to attack
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
עָקֵב (‘aqeb) refers to a heel, footprint, or the rear part of something, such as a troop. It can denote a physical heel or a figurative rear, like the back of an army. The word is built from the root related to the concept of hindrance or following, and it appears in contexts that involve tracking or footsteps.
עָקֵב n.m. heel, footprint, hinder-part
base
H6119 עָקֵב heel, footprint, hinder-part
6119 `aqeb aw-kabe'
or (feminine) hiqqbah {ik-keb-aw'}; from 6117; a heel (as
protuberant); hence, a track; figuratively, the rear (of an
army):--heel, (horse-)hoof, last, lier in wait (by mistake
for 6120), (foot- )step.
see HEBREW for 06117
see HEBREW for 06120
עָקֵב (a.qev) — heel.
1) heel, rear, footprint, hinder part, hoof, rear of a troop, footstep
1a) heel
1b) mark of heel, footprint
1c) hinder part, rear
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
hel (`aqebh): "The iniquity of my heels" (Ps 49:5 the King James Version) is a literal translation, and might be understood to indicate the Psalmist's "false steps," errors or sins, but that meaning is very doubtful here. the Revised Version (British and American) gives "iniquity at my heels." the Revised Version margin gives a still better sense, "When the iniquity of them that would supplant me compasseth me about, even of them that trust in .... riches"--treacherous enemies ever on the watch to trip up a man's heels (compare Ho 12:3). Of Judah it was said, "Thy heels (shall) suffer violence" (Jer 13:22) through being "made bare" (the King James Version), and thus subject to the roughness of the road as she was led captive.