What does 1 Chronicles 5:18 mean?
"¶ 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 skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war." - 1 Chronicles 5:18

Sure, here is a detailed and in-depth commentary on 1 Chronicles 5:18 from the King James Version of the Bible:
"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 skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war."
This verse is part of a larger passage that recounts the genealogy and military strength of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. The passage provides a list of the valiant men from these tribes who were skilled in warfare and able to bear weapons. The verse emphasizes their strength and proficiency in battle, noting that 44,760 men went out to war.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. The book of 1 Chronicles is a historical narrative that traces the genealogy of the people of Israel, beginning with Adam and continuing through the reign of King David. In this particular passage, the focus is on the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh, who were part of the northern kingdom of Israel.
One of the key themes in this verse is the importance of military strength and readiness for war. In ancient Israelite society, warfare was a common and often necessary part of life. The ability to defend oneself and one's community was highly valued, and the strength of the military was seen as a crucial aspect of national security.
The verse also illustrates the significance of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh within the larger context of Israelite history. These tribes were located to the east of the Jordan River and were known for their warrior-like qualities. The passage serves to highlight their military prowess and their contribution to the defense of the nation.
In addition to its historical and cultural significance, this verse also has symbolic value. The image of valiant men skilled in war can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual battles that believers face. In the New Testament, Paul writes about the armor of God in Ephesians 6, using the imagery of weapons and warfare to depict the struggle against spiritual forces of evil.
Furthermore, the number of men mentioned in the verse (44,760) may also hold symbolic significance. In biblical numerology, certain numbers are often thought to carry symbolic meanings. The number 40, for example, is often associated with a period of testing or trial, while the number 7 is seen as representing completion or perfection. The combination of these numbers in the verse could be interpreted as symbolizing the completeness and thoroughness of the military force.
Overall, 1 Chronicles 5:18 serves as a reminder of the importance of strength, readiness, and unity in facing both physical and spiritual battles. It also sheds light on the military prowess of specific tribes within the nation of Israel and their role in defending the land. The verse's themes of warfare and strength are still relevant today, serving as a timeless source of inspiration and encouragement for believers.
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1 Chronicles 5:18 Artwork
1 Chronicles 5:18 - "¶ 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 skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war."
"¶ 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 skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war." - 1 Chronicles 5:18
1 Chronicles 18:5 - "And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men."
1 Chronicles 1:18 - "And Arphaxad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat Eber."
1 Chronicles 23:18 - "Of the sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief."
1 Chronicles 5:5 - "Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son,"
1 Chronicles 8:18 - "Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;"
1 Chronicles 24:18 - "The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah."
1 Chronicles 26:18 - "At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar."
1 Chronicles 8:5 - "And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram."
1 Chronicles 14:5 - "And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,"
1 Chronicles 3:18 - "Malchiram also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah."
1 Chronicles 7:18 - "And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah."
1 Chronicles 6:18 - "And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel."
1 John 5:18
1 Chronicles 2:5 - "The sons of Pharez; Hezron, and Hamul."
1 Chronicles 5:19 - "And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab."
1 Chronicles 5:4 - "The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,"
1 Chronicles 1:5 - "¶ The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras."
1 Chronicles 9:5 - "And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons."
"And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men." - 1 Chronicles 18:5
1 Chronicles 27:18 - "Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:"
1 Chronicles 25:18 - "The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:"
2 Chronicles 18:1 - "Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab."
1 Chronicles 18:2 - "And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts."
1 Chronicles 18:15 - "And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder."
1 Chronicles 12:5 - "Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,"
1 Chronicles 6:5 - "And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,"
1 Chronicles 5:15 - "Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers."
1 Chronicles 18:16 - "And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;"