Gad, God of the Canaanites (גַּד, gad). The god of fortune in both Syrian and Phoenician language and worship whose name was also used to express good fortune or good luck (Isa 65:11).

In the Old Testament, Gad worship is seen most clearly when God pronounces judgment on the Israelites for worshiping the false gods of Gad and Meni, who were the gods of “fortune” and “destiny,” respectively (Isa 65:11). Blenkinsopp argues that Gad was appealed to as a god of good fortune, while Meni was appeased as a god of bad fortune (Blenkinsopp, Isaiah 56–66, 278). The worship of both Gad and Meni took the form of a ritualistic meal that included food and drink placed on a table. In the context of Isaiah, as the Israelites appeal to these gods for the future, God establishes His control over both their immediate and eschatological future (Isa 65:12–25).

Gad worship may also be seen through the place names of certain Canaanite towns mentioned in the book of Joshua. Most notable are Baal-gad (Josh 11:17) and Migdal-gad (Josh 15:37). Names that incorporate Gad found elsewhere in the Old Testament include Gaddiel (Num 13:10), Gaddi (Num 13:11), Gadi (2 Kgs 15:14, 17), and Azgad (Ezra 2:12). It is also worth noting that in the story of Jacob, Leah chose the name Gad for the son born by her servant Zilpah, and proclaimed, “Good fortune!” (בְּגָד, begad; Gen 30:11).