1 Chronicles 12 34

1 Chronicles 12:34 kjv

And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.

1 Chronicles 12:34 nkjv

of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them thirty-seven thousand with shield and spear;

1 Chronicles 12:34 niv

from Naphtali?1,000 officers, together with 37,000 men carrying shields and spears;

1 Chronicles 12:34 esv

Of Naphtali 1,000 commanders with whom were 37,000 men armed with shield and spear.

1 Chronicles 12:34 nlt

From the tribe of Naphtali, there were 1,000 officers and 37,000 warriors armed with shields and spears.

1 Chronicles 12 verses

1 Chronicles 12 34 Meaning

This verse describes the contribution of the tribe of Asher to David's forces at Hebron. It highlights a significant contingent of forty thousand men who were highly skilled, prepared, and capable in warfare. These individuals were not just ordinary men, but were specifically "apt for war" and "experts in battle," indicating a high level of training, experience, and readiness for military engagement, forming a vital part of the unified support for David as king.

1 Chronicles 12 34 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 12 vividly describes the numerous and varied contingents of mighty warriors who gathered to support David's kingship. Following the death of Saul, David moved from Ziklag to Hebron, where representatives from all twelve tribes assembled to officially crown him king over all Israel, fulfilling the word of the LORD. This chapter details the different tribes, their numbers, and the specific skills and characteristics of their men who joined David. Verse 34 specifically highlights the significant contribution from the tribe of Asher, emphasizing their readiness and proficiency in warfare. The gathering at Hebron signifies the unity and widespread acceptance of David's divine appointment, underscoring the shift in leadership and the beginning of Israel's golden age under God's chosen king.

1 Chronicles 12 34 Word analysis

• of Asher: `מֵאָשֵׁר` (me'Asher) - From the tribe of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Asher's territory was fertile, located along the Mediterranean coast, known for its rich produce (Gen 49:20). While previously criticised for not fully driving out the inhabitants (Jdg 1:31-32) and being less engaged in national crises (Jdg 5:17), their significant military contribution here indicates full allegiance to David.
• such as were apt to the war: `וְיֹצְאֵי צָבָא` (ve'yotzei tzava) - Literally, "and those going out for military service/host/army." This phrase signifies men who were equipped, ready, and prepared for military expeditions. It speaks to their readiness to march out for battle and their status as active participants in warfare, not just a general populace.
• experts in war: `מִתְחַמְּדֵי מִלְחָמָה` (mitchamdei milchamah) - This is a rich phrase.
  • `מִתְחַמְּדֵי` (mitchamdei) from `חמד` (chamad), meaning "to desire, covet, take pleasure in." In the Hithpael participle, it suggests one who makes himself desirous of something, or one who delights in/has a strong craving for something.
  • `מִלְחָמָה` (milchamah) means "war, battle."
  • Together, "those who delight in war" or "take pleasure in war" indicates not a bloodlust, but an excellence and proficiency that comes from mastering their craft. They were highly trained, perhaps even enjoyed the strategic and physical challenge of battle due to their exceptional skill. It emphasizes their readiness, mastery, and dedication to military prowess.
• twenty and forty thousand: `אַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף` (arba'im elef) - Forty thousand. Most modern translations render this simply as "forty thousand." The Hebrew text literally reads "forty thousand." The KJV's "twenty and forty thousand" is an unusual rendering, potentially a scribal variant or a translational interpretation of a phrase pattern from a related text (e.g., "twenty thousand plus forty thousand" making sixty thousand) which doesn't align with the direct Hebrew count here. The vast consensus of textual criticism and modern scholarship confirms "forty thousand." This large number signifies the strength and substantial contribution of Asher to David's growing kingdom.

1 Chronicles 12 34 Bonus section

The phrasing "twenty and forty thousand" in the King James Version of 1 Chronicles 12:34 is a notable textual curiosity. While the vast majority of other ancient Hebrew manuscripts (Masoretic Text) and modern translations clearly state "forty thousand" (e.g., ESV, NIV, NASB), the KJV might have been influenced by different manuscript traditions or an archaic English idiomatic translation where "x and y" could denote the sum (x+y) or a grouping. However, the consistent reading of "forty thousand" across most other major texts confirms this number. The presence of such a large, trained contingent from Asher signifies that even tribes sometimes depicted as less prominent in earlier historical accounts (like Asher's reluctance in Judges) were fully integrating and contributing their full strength to the divinely appointed king David, showcasing Israel's unification. The number 40 in the Bible often symbolizes periods of testing, probation, or significant completion (e.g., 40 years in the wilderness, 40 days of Noah's flood), and here it might subtly underscore a substantial and significant body of disciplined forces.

1 Chronicles 12 34 Commentary

1 Chronicles 12:34 reveals a crucial facet of David's establishment as king: the diverse and specialized military support he received from all tribes, including Asher. The men from Asher were not just conscripts, but elite warriors, described as "apt to the war" and "experts in war." This double emphasis highlights their high degree of skill, discipline, and battle-readiness. Their presence of "forty thousand" further underscores the widespread, wholehearted, and formidable strength gathering around God's chosen king. This commitment reflected not just a political alliance but a unified recognition of divine appointment, paving the way for Israel's consolidated kingdom under David's leadership.

Practical usage:

• As believers, we are called to be spiritually "apt" and "expert" in God's Word, preparing us for spiritual battles (Eph 6:10-17).
• Our support for Christ's kingdom should be unified, significant, and full of conviction, much like the tribes rallying to David.
• The desire for excellence in God's service should manifest as disciplined study and readiness, akin to an "expert in war" being skilled and diligent.