1 Chronicles 5:18 kjv
The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skillful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.
1 Chronicles 5:18 nkjv
The sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh had forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty valiant men, men able to bear shield and sword, to shoot with the bow, and skillful in war, who went to war.
1 Chronicles 5:18 niv
The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service?able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword, who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle.
1 Chronicles 5:18 esv
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had valiant men who carried shield and sword, and drew the bow, expert in war, 44,760, able to go to war.
1 Chronicles 5:18 nlt
There were 44,760 capable warriors in the armies of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They were all skilled in combat and armed with shields, swords, and bows.
1 Chronicles 5 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 32:17 | "But we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel..." | Transjordanian tribes' commitment |
| Dt 3:18 | "You are to cross over armed before your brothers, the Israelites..." | Moses' instruction to these tribes |
| Josh 1:14 | "Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land..." | Joshua reminds them of their covenant |
| Josh 4:12 | "The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over..." | Fulfillment of their military pledge |
| Josh 22:4 | "The LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them..." | Their return after the conquest |
| Judg 6:12 | "The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor!" | Describing Gideon as gibbor chayil |
| 1 Sam 16:18 | "...skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war..." | David described as a brave warrior |
| 1 Chr 7:7 | "And the sons of Tola: Uzzi...mighty men of valor...22,600." | Similar military enumeration in Chronicles |
| 1 Chr 8:40 | "...great warriors, archers...mighty men of valor..." | Description of Benjamin's descendants |
| 1 Chr 12:8 | "Some Gadites joined David...valiant warriors, men for battle..." | Loyal warriors joining David |
| 1 Chr 12:25 | "Of the sons of Simeon, mighty and valiant men for war, 7,100." | More examples of tribal warrior descriptions |
| 1 Chr 27:1 | "Now this is the number of the children of Israel, the heads of fathers'" | Enumeration of Israel's fighting forces |
| 2 Chr 17:13 | "...men of valor, mighty men...And with them was a mighty man of valor..." | Jehoshaphat's well-equipped army |
| Neh 11:14 | "...valiant warriors, 128..." | Valour noted among returning exiles |
| Ps 18:32-34 | "It is God who arms me with strength...He trains my hands for war..." | God enabling strength and skill for battle |
| Ps 33:16-17 | "The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered..." | Human strength is insufficient alone |
| Ps 144:1 | "Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war..." | God as the source of warrior skill |
| Prov 21:31 | "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs..." | Preparation is important, but victory is divine |
| Ecc 9:11 | "...the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong..." | Skill and strength don't guarantee victory |
| Isa 5:28 | "Their bows are bent, their arrows ready; their horses' hoofs are like flint" | Vivid description of fearsome warriors |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." | God empowers believers, applicable to all areas |
| Eph 6:10-17 | "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might..." | Spiritual warfare requires divine strength |
| 2 Tim 2:3-4 | "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." | Believers as soldiers for God |
| Heb 11:34 | "...quenched the raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, made strong..." | Through faith, weaknesses made strong for battle |
| Rev 19:11-16 | "...the armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses..." | Christ as a divine warrior with his army |
| Job 39:21-25 | "He paws the ground, and rejoices in his strength; he goes out to meet..." | Poetic description of a warhorse's readiness |
1 Chronicles 5 verses
1 Chronicles 5 18 Meaning
This verse describes the military strength and prowess of the Transjordanian tribes: the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It highlights their significant number of 44,760 fighting men, further detailing their exceptional qualities as brave, well-equipped with shield, sword, and bow, and highly proficient in warfare. The description emphasizes their readiness and capability in combat.
1 Chronicles 5 18 Context
First Chronicles chapter 5 focuses on the tribes dwelling east of the Jordan River: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. After tracing Reuben's lineage and the loss of his birthright, the chapter describes their territorial inheritance and eventual military might. Verse 18 particularly sets the stage for the account of their successful war against the Hagrites in the subsequent verses (1 Chr 5:19-22). This detailed description of their military capabilities justifies why they were able to prevail in battle. The chronicler emphasizes their strength and preparedness, possibly serving to legitimize their land tenure and conquests, despite being geographically separate from the main body of Israel. Historically, these tribes had a unique arrangement with Moses and Joshua to aid in the conquest of Canaan before settling permanently east of the Jordan. Their valor and equipment here confirm their faithfulness to that covenant and their ability to defend their territory.
1 Chronicles 5 18 Word analysis
- The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh: Identifies the specific tribal groups living east of the Jordan River. These tribes had settled there following their commitment to assist the other tribes in conquering the land west of the Jordan.
- had 44,760: Specifies a precise numerical strength. This detailed census-like reporting is characteristic of Chronicles, emphasizing the tangible might of God's people.
- fighting men: (Hebrew: ’anshei milchamah – "men of war"). Designates their primary function and readiness for combat.
- brave warriors: (Hebrew: gibborim chayil – "mighty men of valor" or "men of strength"). This phrase describes an elite class of skilled, courageous, and capable individuals, implying a moral and physical fortitude vital for combat.
- carrying shield and sword: Refers to fundamental defensive (shield) and offensive (sword) close-combat weapons. Indicates a foundational level of military equipping.
- and drawing the bow: Points to proficiency in archery, an essential ranged weapon, suggesting versatile military skills and ability for long-range engagement.
- skillful in battle: (Hebrew: chayil la-milchamah – "valiant for war," or "strong for the war"). This signifies not just possessing weapons or courage, but actual tactical competence, experience, and effectiveness in the complexities of warfare.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh: These tribes were the first to receive their inheritance in Transjordan, on the condition they would cross the Jordan armed and fight alongside their brothers for the conquest of Canaan (Num 32; Josh 1). Their identification here confirms their lineage and historical position within Israel.
- 44,760 fighting men: This specific number showcases their formidable numerical military power. In biblical censuses, specific numbers often underline God's precision and organization of His people.
- brave warriors, carrying shield and sword, and drawing the bow, skillful in battle: This detailed military description provides a comprehensive portrait of highly capable soldiers. It covers their character (brave), equipment (shield, sword, bow), and their technical proficiency (skillful in battle), presenting them as an exemplary military force fully prepared for any engagement.
1 Chronicles 5 18 Bonus section
The chronicler’s detailed census and military descriptions throughout Chronicles, particularly here and in chapters 7 and 12, emphasize Israel's strength and God's faithfulness in providing capable people for the defense and expansion of His kingdom. The focus on the specific weaponry (shield, sword, bow) highlights the traditional military arsenal of ancient Israel, reflecting a time when physical prowess and weapon mastery were paramount in warfare. This description indirectly foreshadows their effective campaign against the Hagrites in the subsequent verses (1 Chr 5:19-22), where these very attributes would lead to victory and increased territory for God's people. Their continued valor east of the Jordan shows that even after their initial "task" of conquering Canaan, they maintained their military readiness for the ongoing defense of their divinely allotted lands.
1 Chronicles 5 18 Commentary
This verse serves as a crucial preface to the successful war account that follows. By detailing the military prowess of the Transjordanian tribes, the chronicler not only justifies their victory but also underscores a vital principle: the success of a military engagement, while ultimately divine, also involves human preparedness, skill, and valor. The precision in numbers and the explicit description of their warrior qualities like bravery, equipped state, and battle-readiness, emphasize that they were a force to be reckoned with. Their ability to effectively wield traditional close-quarters weapons (shield and sword) alongside ranged ones (bow) highlights their comprehensive military training. This verse points to the importance of being fully equipped and ready, both physically and spiritually, for any challenge that comes one's way, serving as an encouragement for believers to develop spiritual disciplines and put on the full armor of God.