1416. gedud

Lexical Summary

gedud: bands, troops, band

Original Word: גְּדוּד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: gduwd
Pronunciation: guh-DOOD
Phonetic Spelling: (ghed-ood')
KJV: army, band (of men), company, troop (of robbers)
NASB: bands, troops, band, raiders, marauding band, troop, band of raiders
Word Origin: [from H1413 (גָּדַד - cut)]

1. a crowd (especially of soldiers)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

army, band of men, company, troop of robbers

From gadad; a crowd (especially of soldiers) -- army, band (of men), company, troop (of robbers).

see HEBREW gadad

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from gadad
Definition
a band, troop
NASB Translation
band (6), band of raiders (1), Bandits (1), bands (7), divisions (1), marauding band (2), marauding bands (1), raid (1), raiders (3), troop (2), troops (7), troops* (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. גְּדוּד noun masculine^{Genesis 49:19} band, troop (as making inroads; others, as a division, detachment (as severed), but this usually later in Hebrew) — ׳ג absolute 1 Samuel 30:8 19t.; construct 2 Chronicles 25:9; plural גְּדוּדִים 2 Samuel 4:2 2t.; construct גְּדוּדֵי 2 Kings 6:23 6t.; suffix גְּדוּדָיו Job 19:12; Job 25:3; —

1 marauding band (making incursions, inroads, compare גדד) 1 Samuel 30:8,15 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 30:23 compare 1 Chronicles 12:22, also 2Chronicles 22:1; 1 Kings 11:24; 2 Kings 5:2; 2 Kings 6:23; 2 Kings 13:20,21; 2 Kings 24:2 (4 t. in verse) compare 2 Samuel 22:30 = Psalm 18:30, & Genesis 49:19 (see גַּד Genesis 30:11) Hosea 6:9; Hosea 7:1; Jeremiah 18:22; שָׂרֵי גִּדוּדִים 2 Samuel 4:2, compare וַיִּתְּנֵם בְּרָאשֵׁי הַגְּדוּד 1 Chronicles 12:19; figurative of God's attacking forces, his chastisements Job 19:12 (compare Job 25:3 below)

2 troop, of divisions of army of Israel (late) גְּדוּדֵי צְבָא מִלְחָמָה 1 Chronicles 7:4, compare 2Chronicles 26:11; band of Israel, i.e. troop of mercenaries hired from Israel by Amaziah 2 Chronicles 25:9,10; בְּנֵי הַגְּדוּד i.e. soldiers of the band2Chronicles 25:13; of army in General כְּמֶלֶךְ בַּגְּדוּד Job 29:25, in simile; also Micah 4:14 בַּתגְּֿדוּד of Zion.

3 foray, raid 2 Samuel 3:22.

Topical Lexicon

General Overview

גְּדוּד (gedud) occurs about thirty-three times in the Hebrew Scriptures and denotes a troop, raiding party, or military detachment. The term is applied to forces ranging from small marauding bands to organized armies and is also used figuratively for any overwhelming or disciplined power.

First Appearance and Tribal Prophecy

In Genesis 49:19 Jacob blesses Gad: “Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels”. The wordplay anticipates the tribe’s frontier role as a quick-strike force defending Israel’s eastern border (Numbers 32; Joshua 22).

Raiding Parties and Irregular Warfare

Most narrative uses describe swift, mobile units:
• Philistine raiders under Saul (1 Samuel 13:17).
• The Amalekite band that burned Ziklag (1 Samuel 30:1, 8, 15).
• Joab’s men returning “from a raid” (2 Samuel 3:22).
• Hadad’s Edomite marauders (1 Kings 11:24).
• Aramean and Chaldean strike forces in Judah’s decline (2 Kings 6:23; Jeremiah 49:32).

Such passages portray the constant harassment Israel endured and underscore the need for covenant loyalty and dependence on the LORD for protection.

Organized Armies and National Defense

Gedud can also mark larger, disciplined formations:
• “Captains of the troops” who served Ish-Bosheth (2 Samuel 4:2).
• The “troop” David overran by faith: “For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall” (2 Samuel 22:30; Psalm 18:29).
• The thousands who rallied to David at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:18-22, 33-37).
• The Aramean army sent as divine chastening (2 Chronicles 24:23).

These texts highlight God’s sovereign control of international affairs (Psalm 33:10-17).

Divine Instrument of Judgment

Gedud often functions as God’s rod of discipline. Job laments, “His troops advance together; they construct a ramp against me and encamp around my tent” (Job 19:12). Micah foresees Jerusalem under siege: “Now, O daughter of troops, mobilize your troops” (Micah 5:1). When priests themselves form a murderous “band” (Hosea 6:9), the LORD sends real bands to punish covenant infidelity.

Poetic and Wisdom Imagery

The Psalms and Wisdom literature broaden the term:
• “Kings of armies flee in haste” (Psalm 68:12).
• Bildad asks, “Is there any number to His troops?” exalting God’s infinite power (Job 25:3).

The imagery conveys organization, strength, and inevitability—traits that instruct the reader about divine order and human responsibility.

Prophetic Hope and Messianic Connection

Micah 5:1-5 links “daughter of troops” with the promise of the Ruler from Bethlehem. Even while besieged, God’s people look to the Messiah who overcomes every hostile troop and secures lasting peace (compare Revelation 19:11-16).

Ministry Implications

1. Vigilance—spiritual “raiders” threaten the flock (Acts 20:29-31).
2. Mobilization—the church must enlist and equip believers for service (Ephesians 4:11-16).
3. Reliance—victory is “by my God” (2 Samuel 22:30).
4. Integrity—Hosea’s corrupt “band of priests” warns leaders against abuse of authority.
5. Hope—amid siege, believers trust the Captain of salvation who has already triumphed (Colossians 2:15).

Key References

Genesis 49:19; 1 Samuel 13:17; 1 Samuel 30:8, 15, 23; 2 Samuel 3:22; 2 Samuel 4:2; 2 Samuel 22:30; 1 Kings 11:24; 1 Chronicles 12:18-22; 2 Chronicles 24:23; Job 19:12; Job 25:3; Psalm 18:29; Psalm 68:12; Hosea 6:9; Hosea 7:1; Micah 5:1.

Forms and Transliterations

בַּגְּד֑וּד בגדוד גְּד֑וּד גְּד֔וּד גְּד֖וּד גְּד֣וּד גְּדוּדִ֗ים גְּדוּדֵ֣י גְּדוּדֵ֨י גְּדוּדֵי֙ גְדוּדִ֔ים גְדוּדִ֣ים גְדוּדָ֗יו גדוד גדודי גדודיו גדודים הַגְּד֔וּד הַגְּד֗וּד הַגְּד֛וּד הַגְּד֣וּד הַגְּד֥וּד הַגְּדֽוּד׃ הַגְּדוּד־ הגדוד הגדוד־ הגדוד׃ וּגְדוּדֵ֥י וגדודי לְהַגְּדוּד֙ לִגְד֗וּד לִגְד֣וּד לִגְדוּדָ֑יו לגדוד לגדודיו להגדוד מֵֽהַגְּד֔וּד מהגדוד bag·gə·ḏūḏ baggeDud baggəḏūḏ ḡə·ḏū·ḏāw gə·ḏū·ḏê gə·ḏū·ḏîm ḡə·ḏū·ḏîm gə·ḏūḏ geDud gəḏūḏ geduDav ḡəḏūḏāw gəḏūḏê geduDei geduDim gəḏūḏîm ḡəḏūḏîm hag·gə·ḏūḏ hag·gə·ḏūḏ- haggedud haggəḏūḏ haggəḏūḏ- lə·hag·gə·ḏūḏ lehaggeDud ləhaggəḏūḏ liḡ·ḏū·ḏāw liḡ·ḏūḏ ligDud liḡḏūḏ ligduDav liḡḏūḏāw mê·hag·gə·ḏūḏ mehaggeDud mêhaggəḏūḏ ū·ḡə·ḏū·ḏê ūḡəḏūḏê ugeduDei

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 49:19
HEB: גָּ֖ד גְּד֣וּד יְגוּדֶ֑נּוּ וְה֖וּא
NAS: As for Gad, raiders shall raid
KJV: Gad, a troop shall overcome
INT: Gad raiders shall raid he

1 Samuel 30:8
HEB: אֶרְדֹּ֛ף אַחֲרֵ֥י הַגְּדוּד־ הַזֶּ֖ה הַֽאַשִּׂגֶ֑נּוּ
NAS: this band? Shall I overtake
KJV: after this troop? shall I overtake
INT: pursue after army this will surely

1 Samuel 30:15
HEB: הֲתוֹרִדֵ֖נִי אֶל־ הַגְּד֣וּד הַזֶּ֑ה וַיֹּ֡אמֶר
NAS: to this band? And he said,
KJV: to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said,
INT: bring about band to this said

1 Samuel 30:15
HEB: וְאוֹרִֽדְךָ֖ אֶל־ הַגְּד֥וּד הַזֶּֽה׃
NAS: to this band.
KJV: and I will bring thee down to this company.
INT: down about band to this

1 Samuel 30:23
HEB: וַיִּתֵּ֗ן אֶֽת־ הַגְּד֛וּד הַבָּ֥א עָלֵ֖ינוּ
NAS: into our hand the band that came
KJV: us, and delivered the company that came
INT: has kept and delivered the band came against

2 Samuel 3:22
HEB: וְיוֹאָב֙ בָּ֣א מֵֽהַגְּד֔וּד וְשָׁלָ֥ל רָ֖ב
NAS: came from a raid and brought
KJV: came from [pursuing] a troop, and brought in
INT: and Joab came A raid spoil much

2 Samuel 4:2
HEB: אֲנָשִׁ֣ים שָׂרֵֽי־ גְדוּדִ֣ים הָי֪וּ בֶן־
NAS: who were commanders of bands: the name
KJV: [that were] captains of bands: the name
INT: men were commanders of bands had son

2 Samuel 22:30
HEB: בְכָ֖ה אָר֣וּץ גְּד֑וּד בֵּאלֹהַ֖י אֲדַלֶּג־
NAS: For by You I can run upon a troop; By my God
KJV: For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God
INT: for run A troop my God leap

1 Kings 11:24
HEB: וַיְהִ֣י שַׂר־ גְּד֔וּד בַּהֲרֹ֥ג דָּוִ֖ד
NAS: leader of a marauding band, after David
KJV: unto him, and became captain over a band, when David
INT: and became leader of a marauding slew David

2 Kings 5:2
HEB: וַאֲרָם֙ יָצְא֣וּ גְדוּדִ֔ים וַיִּשְׁבּ֛וּ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ
NAS: had gone out in bands and had taken
KJV: had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive
INT: now the Arameans had gone bands taken the land

2 Kings 6:23
HEB: יָ֤סְפוּ עוֹד֙ גְּדוּדֵ֣י אֲרָ֔ם לָב֖וֹא
NAS: to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans
KJV: to their master. So the bands of Syria
INT: did again and the marauding of Arameans come

2 Kings 13:20
HEB: אֱלִישָׁ֖ע וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֑הוּ וּגְדוּדֵ֥י מוֹאָ֛ב יָבֹ֥אוּ
NAS: and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites
KJV: and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites
INT: Elisha buried now the bands of the Moabites invade

2 Kings 13:21
HEB: רָא֣וּ אֶֽת־ הַגְּד֔וּד וַיַּשְׁלִ֥יכוּ אֶת־
NAS: they saw a marauding band; and they cast
KJV: that, behold, they spied a band [of men]; and they cast
INT: behold saw A marauding cast the man

2 Kings 24:2
HEB: בּ֡וֹ אֶת־ גְּדוּדֵ֣י כַשְׂדִּים֩ וְאֶת־
NAS: sent against him bands of Chaldeans,
KJV: sent against him bands of the Chaldees,
INT: sent the LORD bands of Chaldeans bands

2 Kings 24:2
HEB: כַשְׂדִּים֩ וְאֶת־ גְּדוּדֵ֨י אֲרָ֜ם וְאֵ֣ת ׀
NAS: of Chaldeans, bands of Arameans,
KJV: of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians,
INT: bands of Chaldeans bands of Arameans bands

2 Kings 24:2
HEB: אֲרָ֜ם וְאֵ֣ת ׀ גְּדוּדֵ֣י מוֹאָ֗ב וְאֵת֙
NAS: of Arameans, bands of Moabites,
KJV: of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites,
INT: bands of Arameans bands of Moabites and bands

2 Kings 24:2
HEB: מוֹאָ֗ב וְאֵת֙ גְּדוּדֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־ עַמּ֔וֹן
NAS: of Moabites, and bands of Ammonites.
KJV: of the Moabites, and bands of the children
INT: bands of Moabites and bands of the children of Ammon

1 Chronicles 7:4
HEB: לְבֵ֣ית אֲבוֹתָ֗ם גְּדוּדֵי֙ צְבָ֣א מִלְחָמָ֔ה
NAS: were 36,000 troops of the army
KJV: of their fathers, [were] bands of soldiers
INT: the house of their fathers troops of the army war

1 Chronicles 12:19
HEB: וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם בְּרָאשֵׁ֥י הַגְּדֽוּד׃ פ
INT: cost our heads army

1 Chronicles 12:22
HEB: דָּוִיד֙ עַֽל־ הַגְּד֔וּד כִּֽי־ גִבּ֥וֹרֵי
INT: to David and army champion all manner

2 Chronicles 22:1
HEB: הָרִאשֹׁנִים֙ הָרַ֣ג הַגְּד֔וּד הַבָּ֥א בָֽעַרְבִ֖ים
NAS: in his place, for the band of men who came
KJV: king in his stead: for the band of men that came
INT: the older had slain the band came the Arabs

2 Chronicles 25:9
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לִגְד֣וּד יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
NAS: I have given to the troops of Israel?
KJV: which I have given to the army of Israel?
INT: which have given to the troops Israel answered

2 Chronicles 25:10
HEB: וַיַּבְדִּילֵ֣ם אֲמַצְיָ֗הוּ לְהַגְּדוּד֙ אֲשֶׁר־ בָּ֤א
NAS: dismissed them, the troops which
KJV: separated them, [to wit], the army that was come
INT: dismissed Amaziah the troops which came

2 Chronicles 25:13
HEB: וּבְנֵ֣י הַגְּד֗וּד אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֵשִׁ֤יב
KJV: But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah
INT: the soldiers of the army sent back

2 Chronicles 26:11
HEB: יוֹצְאֵ֧י צָבָ֣א לִגְד֗וּד בְּמִסְפַּר֙ פְּקֻדָּתָ֔ם
NAS: combat by divisions according to the number
KJV: to war by bands, according to the number
INT: entered combat divisions to the number of their muster

33 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1416
33 Occurrences

bag·gə·ḏūḏ — 1 Occ.
gə·ḏūḏ — 7 Occ.
ḡə·ḏū·ḏāw — 1 Occ.
gə·ḏū·ḏê — 6 Occ.
ḡə·ḏū·ḏîm — 3 Occ.
hag·gə·ḏūḏ- — 9 Occ.
lə·hag·gə·ḏūḏ — 1 Occ.
liḡ·ḏūḏ — 2 Occ.
liḡ·ḏū·ḏāw — 1 Occ.
mê·hag·gə·ḏūḏ — 1 Occ.
ū·ḡə·ḏū·ḏê — 1 Occ.