1 Chronicles 12:35 kjv
And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
1 Chronicles 12:35 nkjv
of the Danites who could keep battle formation, twenty-eight thousand six hundred;
1 Chronicles 12:35 niv
from Dan, ready for battle?28,600;
1 Chronicles 12:35 esv
Of the Danites 28,600 men equipped for battle.
1 Chronicles 12:35 nlt
From the tribe of Dan, there were 28,600 warriors, all prepared for battle.
1 Chronicles 12 35 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 49:16-17 | "Dan shall judge his people... a serpent by the way, an adder in the path." | Prophecy foreshadowing Dan's unique character and role. |
| Jdg 18:16 | "...the 600 men armed with weapons of war stood by the entrance..." | Dan's armed forces shown in earlier tribal history. |
| 2 Sam 23:8 | "These are the names of the mighty men whom David had..." | Listing of David's elite warriors, a parallel concept. |
| 1 Chr 11:10 | "Now these are the chiefs of the mighty men whom David had..." | Chronicler's parallel account of David's strong army. |
| 1 Chr 12:1-40 | The entire chapter describes the diverse tribes joining David at Hebron. | Overall context of national unity and strength for the king. |
| Jos 1:14 | "all your mighty men of valor, shall pass over before your brethren..." | Instruction for able warriors to lead in conquest. |
| Jdg 6:12 | "The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor." | Divine call to a capable individual for a national task. |
| Ps 18:32-34 | "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect;" | God is the ultimate source of a warrior's power and skill. |
| Pro 21:31 | "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD." | Emphasizes preparedness alongside divine sovereignty in warfare. |
| Eph 6:11-17 | "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." | Spiritual parallel: readiness for spiritual conflict. |
| 2 Tim 2:3-4 | "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled..." | Believers are called to disciplined spiritual warfare. |
| Rom 13:4 | "...for he is God's servant, an avenger who brings wrath..." | Governmental authority for enforcing order and justice. |
| Heb 4:12 | "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..." | God's word as an incredibly potent spiritual "weapon." |
| 2 Chr 17:14-19 | Describes King Jehoshaphat's numerous well-equipped and valiant warriors. | Example of strong royal military based on numbers and skill. |
| Num 1:39 | "All of the numbered men of the tribe of Dan were 62,700." | Earlier census data shows Dan's historical large tribal size. |
| Neh 4:17 | "each with one of his hands labored in the work, and with the other held his weapon" | Preparedness in reconstruction, demonstrating vigilance. |
| Judg 20:16 | "These 700 chosen men were left-handed; all of them could sling stones at a hair..." | Example of specialized military skill within tribal forces. |
| Joel 3:9-10 | "Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears..." | A prophetic call for universal military preparation for war. |
| Isa 2:4 | "...they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks;" | Prophecy of future peace, rendering military tools obsolete. |
| Lk 14:31 | "Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate..." | Prudence and strategic planning essential before engagement. |
| Rev 19:11 | "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful..." | Christ depicted as a powerful warrior for ultimate triumph. |
1 Chronicles 12 verses
1 Chronicles 12 35 Meaning
First Chronicles 12:35 details the military contribution of the tribe of Dan to King David at Hebron. It describes 28,600 warriors from Dan who were mighty, prepared for combat, and skilled in using all types of weapons. This verse emphasizes their professional readiness and significant numerical strength in supporting David's ascension to the throne, underscoring the united tribal support for God's chosen king.
1 Chronicles 12 35 Context
First Chronicles chapter 12 vividly describes the numerous and varied warriors who gathered to David at Hebron to crown him king over all Israel, signaling the definitive end of Saul's fragmented reign. This historical moment solidified David's legitimate authority, supported by the unified tribes. The chapter meticulously lists the tribes—from Judah and Benjamin to Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, Dan, Asher, and Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh—detailing their numbers, specific skills, and resolute commitment to David's cause. Each tribal contingent contributes to a complete picture of David's military strength and broad national support. This particular verse focuses on the contribution of the Danites, emphasizing their military capability within this larger context of a united kingdom under God's chosen leader.
1 Chronicles 12 35 Word analysis
- Of the Danites:
- Hebrew: מִדָּן (mid-Dān). 'Dan' (דָּן) is a son of Jacob and head of one of Israel's twelve tribes. The name 'Dan' means 'He judges.' While the tribe of Dan is noted in other biblical texts for struggles in securing their territory (Jdg 1) and later for leading Israel into idolatry (Jdg 18), here they are depicted as formidable and faithful military contributors to God's chosen king. This highlights divine sovereignty working through imperfect entities to achieve His purposes for the nation.
- able men of war:
- Hebrew: גִּבּוֹרֵי חַיִל (gibborê chayil). 'Gibbor' (גִּבֹּר) refers to a 'mighty one,' a 'valiant hero,' or a 'strong man.' 'Chayil' (חַיִל) conveys strength, valor, or military prowess. This phrase signifies more than just ordinary soldiers; it indicates highly capable, courageous, and proficient warriors, perhaps an elite force, whose military aptitude is recognized and emphasized.
- arrayed for battle:
- Hebrew: עֹרְכֵי מִלְחָמָה (ʿōrəkhê milkhāmāh). 'ʿōrəkhê' (from arakh) means 'those who arrange themselves' or 'set in order.' 'Milchamah' (מִלְחָמָה) means 'war' or 'battle.' This idiom refers to soldiers who are not merely armed, but are in proper formation, disciplined, and tactically prepared for immediate engagement. It speaks to their strategic organization and readiness, showcasing military discipline.
- and expert in all weapons:
- Hebrew: וְכָל־כְּלִי־נֶשֶׁק (vəkhāl-kəlî-nesheq). 'Vekhol' (וְכָל) means 'and all' or 'every.' 'Kli' (כְּלִי) denotes an 'instrument' or 'weapon,' and 'nesheq' (נֶשֶׁק) refers specifically to 'arms' or 'weapons.' The phrase indicates comprehensive mastery over a variety of military tools and armaments, not just one type. This suggests a highly trained, versatile, and adaptive fighting force, proficient with swords, spears, bows, and other implements, capable of handling diverse combat situations.
- 28,600:
- This is a large and specific numerical tally. It underscores the significant contribution of the Danite tribe to David's military strength. The precise number validates the historical event and illustrates the substantial and organized support David garnered, indicating a powerful consensus and widespread commitment to his kingship from all tribes of Israel.
1 Chronicles 12 35 Bonus section
The chronicler's detailed military descriptions in 1 Chronicles 12, including that for the Danites, serve to validate David's divinely appointed kingship and the robust support he received from a unified Israel. These detailed lists and qualitative assessments (e.g., 'expert in all weapons') move beyond mere census-taking to highlight the quality and specific military talents present in each tribal contribution, demonstrating a highly effective fighting force coalescing around David. The consistent pattern across the various tribal entries in the chapter implies a coordinated, nationwide effort to consolidate power under David, marking a significant transition towards a centralized monarchy and military organization within Israel. The sheer numbers, combined with their stated capabilities, symbolize the collective strength and unified will of the tribes in establishing God's kingdom on earth through David.
1 Chronicles 12 35 Commentary
First Chronicles 12:35 precisely depicts the formidable contingent from the tribe of Dan, listing 28,600 warriors distinguished by their exceptional military attributes. The designation "able men of war" points to their inherent valor and strength, indicating seasoned fighters rather than conscripts. Their status as "arrayed for battle" emphasizes their discipline, organization, and tactical readiness, highlighting their preparedness for coordinated combat. Crucially, being "expert in all weapons" denotes a high level of comprehensive training and versatility, equipping them for any battlefield scenario. This meticulous detail, consistent across the descriptions of various tribes in the chapter, is not merely a record of numbers. It is a purposeful statement by the Chronicler illustrating the national unity, the extensive military resources, and the widespread, committed support rallied under King David. This shows how God sovereignly united the fragmented tribes, including Dan with its challenging history, into a powerful force for His chosen king and for establishing the kingdom of Israel.