gamaliel Summary and Overview

reward of God. (1.) A chief of the tribe of Manasseh at the census at Sinai (Num. 1:10; 2:20; 7:54, 59). (2.) The son of rabbi Simeon, and grandson of the famous rabbi Hillel. He was a Pharisse, and therefore the opponent of the party of the Sadducees. He was noted for his learning, and was president of the Sanhedrim during the regins of Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, and died, it is said, about eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem. When the apostles were brought before the council, charged with preaching the resurrection of Jesus, as a zealous Pharisee Gamaliel councelled moderation and calmness. By a reference to well-known events, he advised them to "refrain from these men." If their work or counsel was of man, it would come to nothing; but if it was of God, they could not destroy it, and therefore ought to be on their guard lest they should be "found fighting against God" (Acts 5:34-40). Paul was one of his disciples (22:3).

(recompense of God). 1. Son of Pedahzur; prince or captain of the tribe of Manasseh at the census at Sinai, #Nu 1:10; 20:20; 7:54,59| and at starting on the march through the wilderness. ch. #Nu 10:23| (B.C. 1490.) 2. A pharisee and celebrated doctor of the law, who gave prudent worldly advice in the Sanhedrin respecting the treatment of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. #Ac 5:34| ff. (A.D. 29.) We learn from #Ac 22:3| that he was the preceptor of St. Paul. He is generally identified with the very celebrated Jewish doctor Gamaliel, grandson of Hillel, and who is referred to as authority in the Jewish Mishna.

GAMA'LIEL (recompense of God). 1. The prince of Manasseh in the desert. Num 1:10; Num 2:20; Num 7:54, Num 7:59; Ezr 10:23. 2. A distinguished Jewish rabbi and prominent member of the Sanhedrin. Acts 5:34. He was for 32 years its president. He is first introduced to our notice in connection with the earlier attempts made at Jerusalem, a.d. 33, to intercept the progress of the gospel. On one occasion, when the apostles, standing in the presence of the Sanhedrin, aroused the feelings of this body to such a pitch that they discussed measures for putting them to death, Acts 5:33, Gamaliel, one of their number, counselled more moderate and prudent action. He wisely advocated a policy which would not have interfered, for the time being, by violence, with the preaching of the cross. His words on this occasion are among the most famous that the opponents of Christianity uttered in the early Church. Acts 5:38-39. He was Paul's teacher at Jerusalem. Acts 22:3. A tradition states that Gamaliel was baptized by Peter and John. This is very doubtful. Rather is the theory to be trusted which identifies him with that Gamaliel who was the grandson of Hillel, and who is referred to often as an authority in the Jewish Mishna.

1. Numbers 1:10; Numbers 2:20; Numbers 7:54-59; Numbers 10:23. 2. A Pharisee and eminent doctor of the law, who advised the council wisely to let the apostles alone (Acts 5:34, etc.), "for if this counsel or work be of men it will come to nought; but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." He was Paul's teacher, "at whose feet he was brought up and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers" (Acts 22:3). The Jews celebrated him as "the glory of the law," the first designated Rabban "our master." Son of rabbi Simeon, and grandson of Hillel; president of the Sanhedrin under Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius; he died 18 years before the fall of Jerusalem. His counsel as to the apostles was not from any leaning to Christianity, but from opposition to Sadduceeism in a case where the resurrection was the point at issue, and from seeing the folly of unreasoning bigotry (Acts 23:6-9). Saul his pupil was a leading persecutor when Stephen opposed Pharisaism; and probably Gamaliel would not altogether disapprove of his zeal in such a cause, though his own tendency was to leave the claims of Christianity to be tested by time.