In the Bible, "Gilead" means hill of testimony or mound of witness, a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, now situated in Jordan. It is also referred to by the Aramaic name Yegar-Sahadutha, which carries the same meaning as the Hebrew. ... Abarim, Pisgah, Nebo, and Peor are its mountains mentioned in Scripture.

What is the significance of Gilead?

Gilead was the scene of the battle between Gideon and the Midianites and was also the home of the prophet Elijah.

What is the significance of Gilead in The Handmaid's Tale?

The name Gilead itself is taken from the Bible, referring to several different locations and generally translated as "hill of testimony." In particular, Gilead is a patriarchal society, where only men have access to higher education.