King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 5:18 Mean?

1 Chronicles 5:18 in the King James Version says “The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword,... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. valiant: Heb. sons of valour

1 Chronicles 5:18 · KJV


Context

16

And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders. their: Heb. their goings forth

17

All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

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. valiant: Heb. sons of valour

19

And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.

20

And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Genealogical Significance: This verse appears within the Trans-Jordanian tribes and their failures section of Chronicles' genealogical framework. The Hebrew term מַעַל (ma'al) - unfaithfulness/treachery is central to understanding this passage's purpose. The Chronicler, writing to post-exilic Israel (c. 450-400 BCE), uses these genealogies not merely as historical records but as theological statements about covenant continuity and divine faithfulness.

The genealogical structure serves multiple purposes: (1) establishing Israel's connection to God's creatio n plan from Adam, (2) legitimizing post-exilic community's claim to covenant promises, (3) emphasizing Judah and Levi's special roles in God's redemptive plan, and (4) demonstrating that despite exile, God's covenant purposes continue. The selection and arrangement of names is intentional, highlighting Consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.

Chronicles diverges from Genesis and Samuel-Kings in its genealogical presentation, reflecting the Chronicler's distinct theological agenda. Where earlier texts focus on narrative history, Chronicles emphasizes continuity, legitimacy, and hope for restoration. This verse contributes to the larger argument that the post-exilic community is the rightful heir of God's ancient covenant promises.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Post-Exilic Context: The Chronicler wrote during the Persian period (450-400 BCE) to a community returned from Babylonian exile, struggling with identity and purpose. These genealogies answered crucial questions: Who are we? What is our relationship to ancient Israel? Do God's promises still apply to us?

The historical setting influences the text's emphasis on Trans-Jordanian tribes: Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh. Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued genealogies for establishing land rights, royal legitimacy, and tribal identity. Chronicles' genealogies served similar functions while adding theological depth. The inclusion of specific names and details reflects the author's access to temple archives, royal records, and earlier biblical texts.

Archaeological evidence from Persian-period Judah shows a small, struggling community centered around Jerusalem and the rebuilt temple. The genealogies reinforced their connection to the glorious past and provided hope for future restoration through God's covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding genealogies as theological statements rather than mere historical records change your reading of Chronicles and other biblical genealogies?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's faithfulness across generations, and how does that apply to your own family's spiritual legacy?
  3. How does Consequences of covenant unfaithfulness connect to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
בְּנֵי1 of 25

The sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

רְאוּבֵ֨ן2 of 25

of Reuben

H7205

reuben, a son of jacob

וְגָדִ֜י3 of 25

and the Gadites

H1425

a gadite (collectively) or descendants of gad

וַֽחֲצִ֥י4 of 25

and half

H2677

the half or middle

שֵֽׁבֶט5 of 25

the tribe

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

מְנַשֶּׁה֮6 of 25

of Manasseh

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

מִן7 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

בְּנֵי8 of 25

The sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חַיִל֒9 of 25

of valiant men

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

אֲ֠נָשִׁים10 of 25

men

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

נֹֽשְׂאֵ֨י11 of 25

able to bear

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

מָגֵ֤ן12 of 25

buckler

H4043

a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile

וְחֶ֙רֶב֙13 of 25

and sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וְדֹ֣רְכֵי14 of 25

and to shoot

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

קֶ֔שֶׁת15 of 25

with bow

H7198

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

וּלְמוּדֵ֖י16 of 25

and skilful

H3925

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

מִלְחָמָ֑ה17 of 25

in war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

אַרְבָּעִ֨ים18 of 25

and forty

H705

forty

וְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה19 of 25

were four

H702

four

אֶ֛לֶף20 of 25

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וּשְׁבַע21 of 25

seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

מֵא֥וֹת22 of 25

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְשִׁשִּׁ֖ים23 of 25

and threescore

H8346

sixty

יֹֽצְאֵ֥י24 of 25

that went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

צָבָֽא׃25 of 25

to the war

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 5:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 5:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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