1 Chronicles 12:30 kjv
And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous throughout the house of their fathers.
1 Chronicles 12:30 nkjv
of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men throughout their father's house;
1 Chronicles 12:30 niv
from Ephraim, brave warriors, famous in their own clans?20,800;
1 Chronicles 12:30 esv
Of the Ephraimites 20,800, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses.
1 Chronicles 12:30 nlt
From the tribe of Ephraim, there were 20,800 brave warriors, each highly respected in his own clan.
1 Chronicles 12 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dt 6:5 | "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." | Wholehearted devotion to God. |
| Ps 86:11 | "Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name." | A desire for singular focus on God. |
| Jer 32:39 | "I will give them one heart and one purpose... that they may fear Me forever." | God promises a unified heart to His people. |
| Ezk 11:19 | "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them..." | God's transformation for unity and new life. |
| Jas 1:8 | "a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." | The negative consequence of a divided heart. |
| Mt 6:24 | "No one can serve two masters..." | Impossibility of serving conflicting allegiances. |
| Col 3:23 | "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..." | Serving God with full dedication. |
| 1 Tim 1:5 | "love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." | Emphasizes inner purity and genuine commitment. |
| Phil 2:2 | "complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." | Call for unity among believers. |
| Eph 6:10-18 | "Finally, be strong in the Lord... put on the whole armor of God..." | Spiritual preparedness and readiness for battle. |
| 2 Tim 2:3-4 | "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled..." | The single-minded focus of a soldier of Christ. |
| 2 Cor 10:4 | "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." | Nature of spiritual battle and its divine tools. |
| Num 1:3 | "from twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war." | Criteria for military service in ancient Israel. |
| Neh 4:16-20 | "each of whom wielded a sword... Half of my servants worked at construction, and half held spears, shields..." | Readiness for simultaneous work and defense. |
| Ps 133:1 | "How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!" | The blessing of communal oneness. |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | "that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." | Exhortation for doctrinal and relational unity. |
| Phil 1:27 | "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ... standing firm in one spirit, with one mind..." | Unity and steadfastness for the Gospel. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities..." | Submission to established leadership. |
| Heb 13:17 | "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls..." | Submission to spiritual leadership. |
| 1 Sam 23:2 | "David inquired of the Lord... 'Shall I go and attack these Philistines?'" | David's practice of seeking divine guidance for battle. |
| 1 Chr 12:8 | "some of the Gadites came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, expert in using shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions..." | Description of other skilled warriors joining David. |
1 Chronicles 12 verses
1 Chronicles 12 30 Meaning
1 Chronicles 12:30 describes the warriors from the tribe of Zebulun who joined David at Hebron. These individuals were highly competent in warfare, fully equipped for battle, skilled in military strategy and organization, and, crucially, served with singular loyalty and unwavering commitment. Their distinctive quality was not merely their physical or tactical prowess, but their inner dedication and unity of purpose.
1 Chronicles 12 30 Context
1 Chronicles Chapter 12 details the impressive array of skilled warriors from various tribes who rallied to David's cause at different stages of his rise to power, culminating in their coming to Hebron to make him king over all Israel. The verse about Zebulun falls within the larger section describing those who "came to David at Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord" (v. 23). The historical context is a pivotal moment in Israelite history—the transition from Saul's fragmented kingdom to the unified monarchy under David, divinely ordained. The Chronicler emphasizes the wide and enthusiastic support David received, highlighting not just the sheer numbers but the quality and heart of these warriors, particularly their unwavering loyalty and readiness for unified action under David's leadership.
1 Chronicles 12 30 Word analysis
- of Zebulun: Referring to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This tribe, despite its geographical distance (Galilee region), is depicted as sending highly qualified men, underscoring the widespread support for David's kingdom across all of Israel.
- such as went forth to battle (יצאי צבא - yotze'ei tzava'): Literally, "those going out for military service/host." This emphasizes their readiness and active participation in warfare. It suggests that they were prepared and had actively engaged in military campaigns.
- expert in war (עורכי מלחמה - orekhei milchamah): Literally, "arrangers of war" or "those who set up war." This phrase signifies more than mere fighting ability; it points to strategic competence, organizational skill, and tactical acumen. They could not just fight, but could plan and execute military engagements.
- with all instruments of war (כלי מלחמה - k'lei milchamah): This indicates that they were fully equipped, supplied with all necessary weapons and tools for effective combat. It speaks to their preparedness and professionalism.
- and able to set the battle in array (עורכי מלחמה - orekhei milchamah): This is a repetition of the phrase "expert in war" in the Hebrew. Its reuse strongly emphasizes their capacity for disciplined organization, tactical formation, and leadership on the battlefield. It stresses their ability to impose order on chaos, which is critical in warfare.
- with an undivided heart (ובלבב לא-וּלָּג - uv'lelav lo-palug): This is arguably the most significant part of the verse. Literally, "and with a heart not divided." This speaks to their singular loyalty, unwavering commitment, integrity, and unity of purpose. They were not wavering, double-minded, or internally conflicted in their allegiance to David and the new kingdom. Their devotion was complete and wholehearted.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, and able to set the battle in array": This group highlights the military proficiency of the Zebulunites. They were not just brave, but trained, equipped, and strategically intelligent. This combination made them effective and reliable warriors for David. Their skill covered both the individual warrior and the collective, organized unit.
- "expert in war... and able to set the battle in array": The repetition of the Hebrew term emphasizes their superior tactical and organizational skills. They were master strategists who could organize their forces effectively, rather than just engage in spontaneous combat. This indicated a higher level of military development and professionalism.
- "with an undivided heart": This phrase encapsulates their moral and spiritual integrity, serving as the capstone to their physical and tactical capabilities. It reveals that their skill was rooted in profound loyalty and commitment, not mere mercenary motivation or fleeting allegiance. This heart condition ensured their reliability and perseverance.
1 Chronicles 12 30 Bonus section
The Chronicler often highlights specific qualities of the tribes that joined David, showcasing the diversity of skills and the universal commitment to his kingship from all corners of Israel. By listing the specific attributes of Zebulun's men alongside others like the Gadites (1 Chr 12:8-15) and Manasseh (1 Chr 12:19), the Chronicler paints a picture of a broadly supported, capable, and united front behind God's anointed. The inclusion of the "undivided heart" suggests that for the Chronicler, inner character was as vital as external military prowess. This ideal blend of physical ability, mental strategy, and spiritual integrity provided a powerful foundation for the Davidic kingdom and serves as a timeless principle for service in God's kingdom. It elevates the military contribution beyond mere physicality to one of deep conviction.
1 Chronicles 12 30 Commentary
1 Chronicles 12:30 portrays an ideal contingent of warriors: highly skilled, fully equipped, strategically brilliant, and most importantly, possessing unwavering loyalty and unity of purpose, represented by their "undivided heart." This singular focus distinguished them. In the context of David's ascension, such men were crucial. David needed followers not just of strength, but of steadfast character, as the establishment of his kingdom required absolute commitment against internal divisions and external threats.
The Chronicler, writing after the Babylonian exile, emphasizes the concept of unity and wholehearted devotion. For the returned exiles, lessons from David's time highlighted the importance of a united people following God's chosen leader. The "undivided heart" signifies more than mere loyalty to David; it echoes the broader biblical principle of wholehearted devotion to God and His kingdom. Just as these men of Zebulun gave their complete commitment to David's earthly kingdom, believers are called to serve the heavenly King, Christ Jesus, with an undivided heart. This means putting aside spiritual indecision or serving multiple masters, focusing singularly on Christ, being prepared (equipped with the spiritual armor of Eph 6), and ready to contend for the faith.
Practically, this verse reminds us that:
- Skill and preparation are valuable: We should strive for excellence in our callings, being well-equipped for the tasks God gives us.
- Strategic thinking matters: In serving God, thoughtful planning and orderly action enhance effectiveness.
- Heart is paramount: All skill and effort are magnified when offered with singular devotion and loyalty to Christ. A divided heart undermines effectiveness and trustworthiness in any sphere, especially in God's service.