PUTTING IT TOGETHER!
Let me quote another explanatory note from pages 1214-1215 of The
Scriptures: Gad: Apart from Gad, the son of Yaaqob (Jacob) there
was another "Gad." The astrologers of Babel called Jupiter (Zeus)
by the name "Gad." He was also well known among the Canaanites (the
Kenaanites) where his name was often coupled with Baal, Baal Gad,
which according to the Massoretic vowel pointing in the book of
Yehoshua (Joshua) is pronounced: Baal God. This same name is
discovered in the ancient Germanic languages as Gott, Goda, Gode,
God, Gud, Gade. And searching further back into its Indo-Germanic
(Indo-European) roots, we find that it traces back to the word
GHODH, which means "union" even "sexual union." No wonder this
meaning is still evident in the Dutch and German gode. It is also
not difficult to see it in the English "gadfly" and "gadding
about."
It is no wonder then that Satan was termed Baal Zebuwb in Hebrew
and Beel Zeboul in Greek! So we have seen that both mean Lord of
the flies (See Brown, Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon to the Old
Testament under 1176).
How ironic that Satan was pictured as a gadfly or as one who gads
about! A look at the definition of these two words in Websters New
World Dictionary is quite revealing: gad·fly n., pl. flies [GAD² +
FLY²] 1. a large fly that bites livestock 2. One who annoys
others.
gad·a·bout n. a person who gads about; restless seeker after fun,
etc.
Gad¹ (gad) [Heb. gadh, lit., fortune] Bible 1. The seventh son of
Jacob 2. The tribe of Israel descended from him
Gad² (gad) interj. [euphemism for GOD] [also g-] a mild oath or
expression of surprise, disgust, etc.
gad¹ (gad) vi. gadded, gadding [LME gadden, to hurry, perhaps
back-formation < gadeling, companion in arms < OE. gædeling:
for IE. Base see GATHER] to wander about in an idle or restless
way, as in seeking amusementn. an act of gadding: chiefly in the
phrase on (or upon) the gad, gadding aboutgadder n.
Now lets compare the meanings here with Isa. 65:11 where Gad has
been translated as "that troop." 1. A troop is defined as a group
of persons, animals, or, formerly, things; herd, flock, band, etc.
2. Loosely, a great number; lot 3. A body of soldiers 4. A
subdivision of a calvary regiment that corresponds to a company of
infantry 5. A unit of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts under an adult
leader 6. [Archaic] a group of actors; troupe, etc. (Websters New
World Dictionary).
These definitions would cause the meaning of this word to fall in
the category of gad¹ in the sense of "gather" which is why the
translators rendered Gad as "that troop." Gad¹ corresponds with the
meaning of the deity of fortune which also was YAHWEHS intended
purpose for using the word, while Gad² ties it all together in the
sense of a "euphemism for God."
In the book of Job, when Satan appeared with the sons of Elohim
before YAHWEH, he was asked, "Whence comest thou?" Satans answer
was, "From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and
down in it." (Job. 1:7, 2:2) Satan as Baal-Zebub (Lord of flies)
does exactly what a gadfly and a gadabout does. He is a restless
seeker after fun. He goes to and fro, up and down seeking to annoy
others (especially man, but also YAHWEH) which he thinks is
fun.
Satan does have a terrible bite and he can be very annoying
toojust like a gadfly! Also he gads about looking for souls to
devour and it must be a lot of fun for him to deceive and cause so
much misery and suffering upon humanity. (c.f. Job chapters 1 &
2 again; 1 Pet. 5:8 ). No wonder Mr. Strong said that Beelzeboul
was a name for Satan (c.f. Strongs #954 Greek Dictionary).
So what have we learned from our study of a few Scriptures using
the inspired Hebrew language and a few Greek words? We have learned
that God was originally the name of an idol once worshipped in
Babel (Babylon). It was later spread throughout the land of Canaan
being picked up by the Canaanites and adopted by the children of
Israel when they went into apostasy!
We also have learned from Isa. 65:11-12 the shocking truth that
many of YAHWEHS people have been tricked into forsaking YAHWEH for
this pagan idol by Satan playing word games. (c.f. Jer. 2:10-13 and
our article entitled "The Devices Of Satan." )
The saddest part of all is that behind this pagan idol called Baal
GadLord God stands the real being who is worshipped by the whole
Christian worldSatan himself! (c.f. Isa. 13:12-14; Ez. 28:12-19; 2
Thes. 2:3-12). Yes, Christians are awaiting a final anti-Christ to
come but do not realize he is already in their midst and
worshipped! Christians are preparing a feast table for GodSatan
and they dont even know it and wouldnt believe it even if you
told them! Christians just dont realize who stands behind the idol
and its name to receive its praise and worship (c.f. Lev. 17:7; Dt.
32:17; Ps. 106:37; 2 Chron. 11:15; 2 Cor. 10:21-22).
Baal Gad is the LORD God of the Christians but dont try to tell
them I told you so because they wouldnt believe it even if you
showed it to them out of the Hebrew Scriptures themselves! But if
you are a Christian and you see the truth herein presented, what
should you do about it? The Scriptures have the answer: "Truly,
then, having overlooked these times of ignorance, YAHWEH now
commands all men everywhere to repent," Acts 17:30.
"Come, and let us turn back to YAHWEH. For He has torn but He does
heal us. He has stricken but He binds us up. After two days He
shall revive us, on the third day He will raise us up, so that we
may live before Him. So let us know, let pursue to know YAHWEH. His
going forth is as certain as the morning. And He comes to us like
the rain, like the latter rain watering the earth," Hos.
6:1-3.
"O Yisrael, return to YAHWEH your Elohim, for you have stumbled by
your crookedness. Take words with you, and return to YAHWEH. Say to
Him, Take away all crookedness, and accept what is good, and we
will render the bulls of our lips. Ashshur does not save us. We do
not ride on horses, nor ever again do we say to the work of our
hands, Our mighty ones. For the fatherless finds compassion in
you," Hos. 14:1-3.
And YAHWEH says in response to our repentence: "I shall heal their
backsliding, I shall love them spontaneously, for Thy displeasure
has turned away from Him. I shall be like the dew to Yisrael. He
shall blossom like the lily, and cast out His roots like Lebanon.
His branches shall spread, and His splendour shall be like an olive
tree, and His fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under His
shadow shall return. They shall revive like grain, and blossom like
the vine, and become as fragrant as the wine of Lebanon. What more
had Ephraim to do with idols? It is I Who answer and look after
him. I am like a green cypress tree, your fruit comes from Me. Who
is wise and understands these words, discerning and knows them? For
the ways of YAHWEH are straight, and the righteous walk in them,
but the transgressors stumble in them," Hos. 14:4-9.
As the Apostle Peter cried out, "Repent and be baptized everyone of
you in the name of YAHshua the Messiah for the remission of sins
and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," Acts
2:38.
In another place he reveals that the name of the Messiah is the
only name under heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
It is the admonition of this ministry that we repent of our sins
and fulfil the criteria revealed in Acts 2:38 and 4:12. May YAHWEH
bless you to see, hear and understand these things and may you be
led to fulfil them in your life.
By Donald Adkins
