1 Chronicles 11 38

1 Chronicles 11:38 kjv

Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri,

1 Chronicles 11:38 nkjv

Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,

1 Chronicles 11:38 niv

Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Hagri,

1 Chronicles 11:38 esv

Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,

1 Chronicles 11:38 nlt

Joel, the brother of Nathan;
Mibhar son of Hagri;

1 Chronicles 11 verses

1 Chronicles 11 38 Meaning

This verse names two of David's mighty warriors: Joel, identified by his brother Nathan, and Mibhar, identified as the son of Hagri. It is part of an extended list highlighting the brave and loyal individuals who supported King David and contributed to the establishment and strength of his kingdom. Notably, it contains a significant textual variation when compared to its parallel account in 2 Samuel 23, specifically regarding the name "Mibhar," which many scholars believe corresponds to "Bani" in the earlier text, possibly functioning as an epithet or indicating a textual transmission difference.

1 Chronicles 11 38 Context

First Chronicles chapter 11 opens with the coronation of David as king over all Israel in Hebron, emphasizing the unanimous support he received. It then recounts David's pivotal capture of Jerusalem, making it the capital and the City of David. The subsequent major section, which includes verse 38, is a detailed and vital record of David's "mighty men" (or "valiant warriors"), who were instrumental in his rise and in securing his kingdom. This list is a testament to the military strength and dedicated loyalty that formed the backbone of David's reign. In the broader scope of Chronicles, which seeks to legitimize the Davidic line and highlight the importance of proper worship and governance for the post-exilic community, these lists serve to illustrate God's hand in establishing David's kingdom through dedicated individuals from various backgrounds. Their inclusion underlines divine favor, human loyalty, and the formation of a unified Israel.

1 Chronicles 11 38 Word analysis

• Joel (יוֹאֵל - Yo'el): A common Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh is God" or "the Lord is God." This name reflects a theological affirmation. Given the multitude of individuals named Joel in the Bible, the specific identifying phrase "the brother of Nathan" serves to distinguish this particular warrior within the extensive biblical record, emphasizing relational identity within David's company.
• the brother of Nathan (אָחִיו שֵׁם־הַגָּדִית נָתָן - ʾaḥíw Shēym-hag·gā·ḏîṯ Nāṯān): This familial descriptor is key to identifying this specific Joel among others. "Nathan" (נָתָן - Natan) means "given" or "he has given," also a common name, not to be confused with Nathan the prophet. The mention of the sibling relationship underscores connections and alliances that underpinned David's military and administrative structure, where family ties could play a role in loyalty and collective strength.
• Mibhar (מִבְחָר - Mivḥār): This Hebrew word literally means "choice," "chosen," "select," or "choicest part." Its presence here is a unique textual point. In its parallel account (2 Sam 23:36), the name listed is "Bani" (בָּנִי - Bani), a proper name meaning "my son" or "built." Scholars widely acknowledge "Mibhar" in Chronicles as likely a scribal variant or perhaps an interpretative reading of "Bani." It's plausible that "Mibhar" describes Bani as "the chosen one" or "the choicest," effectively functioning as an epithet that became absorbed into the text as a proper noun, emphasizing the man's exceptional quality or divine selection for his role. This suggests the Chronicler's potential aim to highlight not just who these men were, but what they were—elite and chosen.
• the son of Hagri (בֶּן־הַגְּדִת בֶּן־חַגְרִי - ben-hagg'dit ben-ḥagrî): The term "Hagri" (הַגְרִי - HaGrî) refers to a "Hagarite," a member of an Arabian tribe descended from Hagar, Abraham's concubine, or a tribe from the land of Hagor. These were semi-nomadic people, often in conflict with Israel (e.g., 1 Chr 5:10, 19). The inclusion of a "Hagarite" among David's elite warriors, much like Uriah the Hittite, signifies the diverse composition of David's forces. It speaks to David's ability to attract and integrate skilled individuals from outside conventional Israelite lineage, or, from a theological perspective, illustrates God's plan often encompasses and empowers people from varied backgrounds, even those seemingly outside the traditional covenant community, for His purposes. This demonstrates God's universal reach in establishing His kingdom and challenges ethnocentric biases.

1 Chronicles 11 38 Bonus section

The Chronicler's primary audience, the post-exilic community, was deeply concerned with lineage, identity, and the re-establishment of a purified worship system. By meticulously listing David's mighty men, even seemingly obscure ones, the Chronicler aimed to:

• Establish Legitimacy: Highlight that David's kingdom was not built on individual charisma alone but through divine favor actualized by a loyal and capable supporting cast. This gave assurance to the returned exiles about their historical roots and God's consistent working through His chosen instruments.
• Provide Models of Loyalty and Courage: These men served as exemplars of faithfulness to the king and commitment to the nation, providing inspirational figures for a community seeking to rebuild their national and spiritual identity.
• Emphasize Divine Providence: The very survival of these names in the record, especially the unique names like Mibhar and the foreign Hagrite, underscores that God remembers all who contribute to His purposes, regardless of their status or origin, implying that current community members, no matter how small, also matter to God.
• Highlight Inclusivity: The Hagrite's presence prefigures God's broader plan for salvation that extends beyond ethnic Israel, hinting at the future ingathering of diverse peoples.

1 Chronicles 11 38 Commentary

First Chronicles 11:38 presents two figures within David's revered company of mighty men: Joel, identified by his brother Nathan, and Mibhar, son of a Hagrite. The specific detail of "Joel the brother of Nathan" differentiates him, indicating the Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping and emphasizing relationships among David's loyalists. The intriguing textual variation regarding "Mibhar" versus "Bani" in 2 Samuel highlights the Chronicler's potential interpretive license or emphasis. Whether a textual corruption or an intended descriptive epithet, "Mibhar" ("the chosen one" or "choicest") underscores the exceptional nature and divine favor believed to be upon these warriors. Furthermore, the inclusion of "the son of Hagri," a foreign ethnicity, is profound. It subtly yet powerfully illustrates the expansive reach of David's kingdom and God's sovereign choice to use individuals regardless of their national or tribal origin, bringing unlikely allies into His redemptive purposes. This inclusion champions the notion that faithfulness and service, not solely lineage, qualify one for divine use. The verse, though seemingly a mere genealogical record, profoundly reflects on loyalty, divine election, and the diverse individuals chosen by God to serve His appointed leader.