Original Word: גַּדִּי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Gaddiy
Pronunciation: gad-DEE
Phonetic Spelling: (gad-dee')
KJV: Gaddi
NASB: had
Word Origin: [intensive for H1424 (גָּדִי - Gadi)]

1. Gaddi, an Israelite

Gaddi

Intensive for Gadiy; Gaddi, an Israelite -- Gaddi.

see HEBREW Gadiy

Word Origin
from gad
Definition
"my fortune," a Manassite
NASB Translation
had (1).

גַּדִּי proper name, masculine (my fortune) a man of Manasseh Numbers 13:11.

Name and Identity

Gaddi is recorded as the son of Susi, a leader from the tribe of Manasseh and one of the twelve men Moses sent to spy out the land of Canaan.

Biblical Context

Numbers 13 details Israel’s approach to the borders of the Promised Land at Kadesh‐barnea. Moses, acting under divine instruction, selected one representative from each tribe to survey Canaan. “from the tribe of Manasseh (a son of Joseph), Gaddi son of Susi” (Numbers 13:11). The ensuing report of the spies became a pivotal turning point in Israel’s wilderness narrative: ten brought back an unbelieving, fear‐filled assessment, while Joshua and Caleb urged faith in God’s promise. Gaddi belonged to the majority who influenced the nation to doubt, resulting in forty years of wilderness wandering (Numbers 14:34).

Historical Background

1. Tribe of Manasseh: Descended from Joseph’s firstborn, Manasseh held a strategic place among the tribes, later receiving territory on both sides of the Jordan River (Joshua 17). As Manasseh’s delegate, Gaddi bore responsibility not only for personal testimony but also for representing his entire tribe’s outlook on God’s covenant promise.
2. Wilderness Generation: Gaddi’s generation had witnessed Egypt’s plagues, the Red Sea crossing, and Sinai’s revelation. Their failure to trust the Lord at Cadesh reveals the human heart’s propensity to waver despite prior miracles (Psalm 95:8-11; Hebrews 3:16-19).

Spiritual Lessons and Ministry Applications

• Weight of Leadership: Gaddi exemplifies how leaders’ words can steer whole communities either toward faith or toward fear. Churches, families, and ministries today must heed James 3:1 and recognize the serious influence of those who teach or report.
• Faith versus Sight: The spies’ mandate was to observe the land, yet their conclusion should have been governed by God’s promise, not by visible challenges. Believers confront similar tension when circumstances appear larger than divine assurances (2 Corinthians 5:7).
• Corporate Consequences: Gaddi’s fearful message contributed to national rebellion; likewise, unbelief rarely remains private. Hebrews 12:15 warns that a root of bitterness can defile many.
• Perseverance of God’s Plan: Israel’s eventual entrance under Joshua shows that human failure delays but does not overthrow God’s purposes. This encourages perseverance in ministry, trusting the Lord to accomplish what He has decreed (Philippians 1:6).

Connections Across Scripture

• Contrast with Caleb and Joshua: While Gaddi shrank back, Caleb and Joshua declared, “the LORD is with us” (Numbers 14:9). Their stance foreshadows New Testament exhortations to bold faith (Romans 8:31).
• Example for Warning: The psalmist recalls this episode to caution later generations, “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah” (Psalm 95:8). The writer of Hebrews applies it directly to the church (Hebrews 3:7-19).
• Redemption Theme: Divine grace preserved Israel and eventually placed Manasseh’s descendants in the promised inheritance (Joshua 17). God’s redemptive arc moves forward even when individual participants falter.

Key Themes

1. Leadership accountability
2. Faith versus fear
3. National impact of individual decisions
4. Sovereign faithfulness of God

Further Reflection

Consider how local church leaders assess present challenges—financial, cultural, or spiritual—in light of scriptural promises. Like Gaddi, they may present either a discouraging report or a faith‐filled perspective that rallies God’s people to obedience. Gaddi’s solitary mention in Scripture stands as a sober reminder that one moment of unbelief can echo through generations, yet God’s covenant faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 100:5).

גַּדִּ֖י גדי gad·dî gadDi gaddîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts