Gad (3)
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Gad (3) in the Bible?
A deity of fortune or luck, possibly identified with the Hyades star cluster, mentioned in Isaiah 65:11 as a false god to whom people were lured away from Yahweh.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Gad clarifies the specific nature of the idolatry condemned in Isaiah, where reliance on random chance or astral deities is contrasted with covenantal loyalty to Yahweh.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Gad (3). Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Gad (3) in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Gad (3) clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Isaiah 65:11
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Gad (3)." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/gad-3/