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

1 CHRONICLES 5:11KJV
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1 Chronicles 5:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 5:11 mean?

1 Chronicles 5:11 states that the descendants of Gad lived next to the tribe of Reuben, settling in the region of Bashan as far as the town of Salchah. This verse describes the territory occupied by the tribe of Gad on the eastern side of the Jordan River.

The book of 1 Chronicles is recounting the genealogies and land allotments of the tribes of Israel. In this verse, the focus is on the tribe of Gad, one of the twelve tribes, and where they made their home after entering the promised land. The verse gives a specific geographic marker—Bashan to Salchah—helping readers understand the historical boundaries of Gad’s territory.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 5:11

  • בָּשָׁן (Bashan, transliteration: "Bashan"): This word refers to a fertile and well-known region east of the Jordan River, famous in the Bible for its rich pastures and strong cattle. Mentioning Bashan highlights the quality and importance of the land given to Gad.
  • סַלְכָּה (Salchah, transliteration: "Salchah"): This is the name of a town marking the eastern limit of Gad’s territory. Including Salchah gives a concrete endpoint, showing the extent of Gad’s land.
  • יָשַׁב (yashav, translated "dwelt"): This word means to settle or live in a place, emphasizing that the Gadites made this area their permanent home, not just passing through.

Why 1 Chronicles 5:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies the specific area given to the tribe of Gad, which helps readers trace the historical geography of Israel’s tribes.
  • By naming Bashan and Salchah, the verse connects to other biblical stories involving these locations, showing continuity in Israel’s history.
  • Understanding where Gad settled helps explain later events in the Bible involving the eastern tribes, including their interactions with neighboring peoples and their role in Israel’s story.

Where else these words appear

“Salchah” Hebrew H5548 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:10 All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
  • Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
  • Joshua 13:11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;

“Bashan” Hebrew H1316 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
  • Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:62 And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

“Gad” Hebrew H1410 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 30:11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • 1 Samuel 22:5 And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.