1583. Gamliel
Lexical Summary
Gamliel: Gamliel

Original Word: גַּמְלִיאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Gamliy'el
Pronunciation: gam-lee-EL
Phonetic Spelling: (gam-lee-ale')
KJV: Gamaliel
NASB: Gamaliel
Word Origin: [from H1580 (גָּמַל - weaned) and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. reward of God
2. Gamliel, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Gamaliel

From gamal and 'el; reward of God; Gamliel, an Israelite -- Gamaliel.

see HEBREW gamal

see HEBREW 'el

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from gamal and el
Definition
a Manassite
NASB Translation
Gamaliel (5).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[תַּגְמוּל] noun masculine benefit — plural with Aramaic suffix כָּלתַּֿגְמוּלוֺהִי עָלָי all his benefits unto me Psalm 116:12.

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Profile

Gamliel son of Pedahzur appears exclusively in the wilderness narratives of the Book of Numbers (Numbers 1:10; 2:20; 7:54; 7:59; 10:23). As chief of the tribe of Manasseh during Israel’s journey from Sinai to the borders of Canaan, he embodies the divinely appointed leadership structure that organized the nation for worship, warfare, and travel.

Historical Setting

Gamliel rises to prominence in the second year after the Exodus, when the LORD commands Moses to number the people (Numbers 1:1-3). Each tribe is represented by “one man from each tribe, the head of his family” (Numbers 1:4). For Manasseh that man is “Gamliel son of Pedahzur” (Numbers 1:10). He serves through the census, the arrangement of the camp, the dedication of the altar, and the orderly march away from Sinai—critical stages in forming Israel’s national identity.

Leadership of Manasseh

Gamliel’s placement among the tribal chiefs situates him within Joseph’s heritage, yet distinct from Ephraim’s prince, Elishama son of Ammihud. Manasseh’s later territorial allotment in Canaan will spread on both sides of the Jordan, but in the wilderness the tribe follows a single leader. Gamliel therefore represents the unity of Manasseh before the eventual division into eastern and western halves.

Participation in the First Census

Numbers 1:10 records his role in enrolling every male twenty years old and upward for military service:

“from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud; from Manasseh, Gamliel son of Pedahzur.”

By presiding over the count of 32,200 warriors (Numbers 1:35), Gamliel demonstrates that Manasseh stands ready to fight for the inheritance the LORD has promised.

Position in the Camp Arrangement

The second chapter assigns camping positions around the Tabernacle. “The division of the camp of Manasseh is to be under Gamliel son of Pedahzur” (Numbers 2:20). Situated on the western side with Ephraim and Benjamin (Numbers 2:18-24), Manasseh’s location reinforces fellowship among Joseph’s offspring and guards a flank of the sanctuary. Gamliel’s authority helps maintain order, illustrating that holiness and discipline are intertwined in Israel’s life.

Offering at the Tabernacle Dedication

When the altar is dedicated, each tribal chief presents identical gifts on successive days. On the eighth day “Gamliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of Manasseh, presented an offering” (Numbers 7:54). His contribution (Numbers 7:55-59) mirrors the others, affirming equality among the tribes and personal submission to corporate worship. Notably, he gives:

“for the sacrifice of the peace offering: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamliel son of Pedahzur.” (Numbers 7:59)

Peace offerings symbolize fellowship with God; Gamliel thus models reconciliation and gratitude on behalf of Manasseh.

Role in the Orderly March

When the cloud lifts and Israel sets out, the tribal divisions break camp in prescribed sequence. “Gamliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of the people of Manasseh” (Numbers 10:23). His leadership ensures that Manasseh keeps formation within the larger body, maintaining both mobility and reverence for the Presence dwelling among them.

Spiritual Significance

1. Servant Leadership: Gamliel’s repeated identification as “son of Pedahzur” roots his authority in lineage yet submits it to divine appointment. He exemplifies responsible stewardship, pointing forward to the servant-leader ideal fulfilled perfectly in Jesus Christ (Matthew 20:25-28).
2. Unity Without Uniformity: Manasseh and Ephraim differ in numbers and later territories, but their chiefs bring identical offerings. Gamliel’s parity underscores that worship levels hierarchies and that every tribe—large or small—finds common access to God through the same sacrificial system.
3. Preparation for Inheritance: By mustering troops, organizing camp life, and marching under the cloud, Gamliel helps prepare a generation to receive God’s promise. His faithfulness in the wilderness prefigures steadfastness required of believers who “seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14).

Contrast with the New Testament Gamaliel

Though sharing a consonant name, the revered Pharisee of Acts 5:34 and Acts 22:3 (Greek Γαμαλιήλ) lives over a millennium later. The distinction highlights continuity of covenant history while reminding readers that leadership—whether in wilderness, Sanhedrin, or church—must ultimately align with God’s revealed will.

Practical Lessons for Today

• God calls leaders not for personal acclaim but for the welfare of His people.
• Corporate worship demands individual integrity; Gamliel’s offering teaches that private resources serve public devotion.
• Spiritual journeying requires order; the tribal arrangements under princes like Gamliel warn against disorder and presumption in the community of faith.

Summary

Gamliel son of Pedahzur stands as the divinely appointed head of the tribe of Manasseh during Israel’s formative wilderness period. Through census, camp, offerings, and marches he models faithful leadership that advances God’s covenant purposes, providing enduring lessons on service, unity, and preparedness for all who follow the LORD.

Forms and Transliterations
גַּמְלִיאֵ֖ל גמליאל gam·lî·’êl gamlî’êl gamliEl
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Numbers 1:10
HEB: עַמִּיה֑וּד לִמְנַשֶּׁ֕ה גַּמְלִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ פְּדָהצֽוּר׃
NAS: of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son
KJV: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son
INT: of Ammihud of Manasseh Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur

Numbers 2:20
HEB: לִבְנֵ֣י מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה גַּמְלִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ פְּדָהצֽוּר׃
NAS: of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son
KJV: of Manasseh [shall be] Gamaliel the son
INT: of the sons of Manasseh Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur

Numbers 7:54
HEB: לִבְנֵ֣י מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה גַּמְלִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ פְּדָה־
NAS: day [it was] Gamaliel the son
KJV: day [offered] Gamaliel the son
INT: the son of Manasseh Gamaliel of the sons of Pedahzur

Numbers 7:59
HEB: זֶ֛ה קָרְבַּ֥ן גַּמְלִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ פְּדָה
NAS: [was] the offering of Gamaliel the son
KJV: this [was] the offering of Gamaliel the son
INT: This the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur

Numbers 10:23
HEB: בְּנֵ֣י מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה גַּמְלִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ פְּדָה־
NAS: and Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur
KJV: of Manasseh [was] Gamaliel the son
INT: the son of Manasseh and Gamaliel of the sons of Pedahzur

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1583
5 Occurrences


gam·lî·’êl — 5 Occ.

1582
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