A Biblical Theology of the Testament of Gad
1. The Testament of Gad in Context
The Testament of Gad, one of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, is a pseudepigraphal writing attributed to Gad, the ninth son of Jacob and Zilpah. Like the other testaments, it is presented as a farewell discourse delivered to his children before death. Its central theme is hatred—its origin, power, and destructive consequences.
This Testament belongs to the genre of “testamentary literature,” modeled after Jacob’s final blessings in Genesis 49 and Moses’ farewell in Deuteronomy 33. It blends autobiographical reflection, ethical exhortation, and prophetic vision, offering insight into Israel’s covenant identity and its eschatological hope.
2. Structure and Genre
The Testament of Gad follows the common structure of the testaments:
Introduction – Gad summons his children and reflects on his life.
Confession of Sin – He admits his hatred toward Joseph.
Ethical Instruction – He exhorts his descendants to reject hatred and embrace forgiveness.
Warnings – He warns of envy, arrogance, and falsehood.
Prophetic Outlook – He looks forward to Israel’s sin, exile, and eventual salvation.
Conclusion – His death and burial.
Hatred serves as the unifying theme, but woven throughout are reflections on forgiveness, envy, repentance, and divine judgment.
3. Hatred as a Destructive Power
The Testament of Gad portrays hatred as a spiritual poison that destroys both individuals and communities. Gad confesses that his anger toward Joseph nearly led him to ruin. This parallels the biblical account in Genesis 37, where Joseph’s brothers plotted against him out of jealousy.
According to Gad, hatred:
Blinds the mind – “Whatsoever the hater doeth is abominable” (Gad 3:2).
Distorts judgment – It leads one to rejoice in another’s suffering (Gad 4:4).
Breeds deceit – Hatred is tied to lying and slander (Gad 5:1).
Poisons the heart – Like venom, it contaminates all actions and thoughts (Gad 6:3).
This emphasis anticipates the New Testament’s warning: “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).
4. The Call to Forgiveness
Uniquely among ancient writings, the Testament of Gad contains extended teaching on forgiveness. Gad exhorts his descendants to pursue reconciliation:
Rebuke in love – If a brother sins, reprove him with gentleness (Gad 6:3; cf. Leviticus 19:17; Luke 17:3).
Cast out your anger – Even if reconciliation is not possible, believers must rid themselves of wrath (Gad 6:3–4).
Leave vengeance to God – “Give place to the wrath of God” (Gad 6:7; cf. Romans 12:19).
This teaching reflects a profound grasp of the biblical ethic of mercy. Forgiveness restores communion, removes poison from the soul, and prepares God’s people for his kingdom.
5. Envy and Falsehood
Hatred does not stand alone—it is fueled by envy and sustained by lies. Gad warns that envy leads to hostility toward a neighbor’s prosperity (Gad 7:1–2). He urges contentment and uprightness, echoing Proverbs 14:30: “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
Falsehood is also condemned. To “mateth with lying” (Gad 5:1) means hatred produces slander and deception. God, however, delights in truth (Psalm 51:6). Gad’s teaching parallels Paul’s exhortation to “put away falsehood” and “speak the truth” (Ephesians 4:25).
6. Repentance and Mercy
The Testament of Gad presents repentance as the path out of hatred. Hatred may enslave, but repentance brings mercy. Gad emphasizes:
Repentance is divinely taught – “It hath not learnt this from man, but knoweth how to receive those who return” (Gad 5:8).
Repentance restores communion – Forgiveness gains a brother and renews fellowship (Gad 6:3).
Repentance brings salvation – Echoing 2 Corinthians 7:10, repentance leads to life and not death.
Here we see the continuity of God’s covenantal mercy: though Israel often failed, God consistently called his people to repentance (Joel 2:12–13).
7. Dualism and Spiritual Conflict
Like the other testaments, Gad reflects a dualistic worldview:
Hatred versus Love – The spirit of hatred enslaves, but the spirit of truth frees.
Beliar versus God – Evil spirits incite hatred, while God’s Spirit produces peace.
Present versus Eternal – Hatred leads to eternal punishment, while love leads to eternal life (Gad 7:5).
This dualism echoes Paul’s contrast of “flesh” and “Spirit” (Galatians 5:16–17). Gad warns that hatred aligns one with Beliar, but forgiveness aligns one with God’s kingdom.
8. Prophecy and Eschatology
The Testament of Gad extends beyond ethics to prophecy. Gad envisions:
Israel’s Sin – The people will fall into envy and hatred.
Exile and Captivity – Sin will lead to scattering among the nations (Gad 7:2).
Salvation through Levi and Judah – God will raise up salvation from Levi and Judah (Gad 8:1), a veiled prophecy of the Messiah.
Final Victory – God will give peace and destroy Beliar (Gad 5:10).
These themes resonate with the biblical story of exile and return, climaxing in Christ who embodies priesthood (Levi) and kingship (Judah).
9. Gad, the Gospel, and Christ’s Kingship
The Testament of Gad connects to the Gospel in profound ways:
Forgiveness – Jesus’ command to forgive (Matthew 18:21–22) fulfills Gad’s insight into reconciliation.
Love and Neighbor – Gad anticipates Christ’s teaching that love fulfills the law (Mark 12:31).
Victory over Beliar – Gad foretells the final defeat of Satan, realized through Christ’s death and resurrection (Hebrews 2:14).
The New Jerusalem – Gad envisions restoration, pointing to the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21:2.
For Christians, Gad’s warnings against hatred and his call to forgiveness foreshadow Christ’s kingdom ethic. In Jesus, the poison of hatred is healed, and his people are empowered by the Spirit to walk in love.
Conclusion: Theological Significance of the Testament of Gad
The Testament of Gad offers a timeless warning about hatred’s destructive power and a hopeful vision of forgiveness and reconciliation. Its ethical teaching anticipates the Gospel’s call to love enemies, speak truth, and live at peace. Its eschatological hope points to Christ’s kingship and the final victory of God over Beliar.
A biblical theology of the Testament of Gad thus underscores the continuity of God’s redemptive plan: sin and hatred bring exile, but repentance and forgiveness open the way to restoration. For the church today, the message is clear—hatred must be cast aside, forgiveness embraced, and love pursued in light of Christ’s reign.
Bible Verses Related to the Testament of Gad
Genesis 37:4 – “They hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.”
Leviticus 19:17 – “You shall not hate your brother in your heart.”
Proverbs 14:30 – “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
Proverbs 19:11 – “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Isaiah 5:20 – “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.”
Matthew 18:21–22 – “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Luke 17:3 – “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.”
Romans 12:19 – “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
1 John 3:15 – “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer.”
Revelation 21:2 – “I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”
