1 Chronicles 12:8
New International Version
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains.

New Living Translation
Some brave and experienced warriors from the tribe of Gad also defected to David while he was at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were expert with both shield and spear, as fierce as lions and as swift as deer on the mountains.

English Standard Version
From the Gadites there went over to David at the stronghold in the wilderness mighty and experienced warriors, expert with shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were swift as gazelles upon the mountains:

Berean Standard Bible
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains:

King James Bible
And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

New King James Version
Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains:

New American Standard Bible
From the Gadites valiant mighty men went over to David at the stronghold in the wilderness, men trained for war who could handle a large shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.

NASB 1995
From the Gadites there came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.

NASB 1977
And from the Gadites there came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.

Legacy Standard Bible
From the Gadites, mighty men of valor separated themselves to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, men of war who had gone out for military duty, who could handle large shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.

Amplified Bible
Courageous men from the Gadites came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and who were swift as gazelles on the mountains.

Christian Standard Bible
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were valiant warriors, trained for battle, expert with shield and spear. Their faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles on the mountains.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were fighting men, trained for battle, expert with shield and spear. Their faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles on the mountains.

American Standard Version
And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

Contemporary English Version
Men from the tribe of Gad also joined David at his fortress in the desert and served as his warriors. They were also brave soldiers--fierce as lions and quick as gazelles. They were always prepared to fight with shields and spears.

English Revised Version
And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David to the hold in the wilderness, mighty men of valour, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Some men left Gad to join David at the fortified camp in the desert. They were warriors, trained soldiers, able to fight with shields and spears. They looked like lions and were as fast as gazelles on the hills.

Good News Translation
These are the names of the famous, experienced soldiers from the tribe of Gad who joined David's troops when he was at the desert fort. They were experts with shields and spears, as fierce looking as lions and as quick as mountain deer.

International Standard Version
Mighty and experienced warriors from the descendants of Gad joined David at his wilderness stronghold. They were expert handlers of both shield and spear, with hardened looks and as agile as a gazelle on a mountain slope.

Majority Standard Bible
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains:

NET Bible
Some of the Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the desert. They were warriors who were trained for battle; they carried shields and spears. They were as fierce as lions and could run as quickly as gazelles across the hills.

New Heart English Bible
Of the Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes on the mountains;

Webster's Bible Translation
And of the Gadites there separated themselves to David in the hold in the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

World English Bible
Some Gadites joined David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And of the Gadite there have been separated to David, to the fortress, to the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men of the host for battle, setting in array buckler and spear, and their faces [are as] the face of the lion, and as roes on the mountains for speed:

Young's Literal Translation
And of the Gadite there have been separated unto David, to the fortress, to the wilderness, mighty of valour, men of the host for battle, setting in array target and buckler, and their faces the face of the lion, and as roes on the mountains for speed:

Smith's Literal Translation
And of the Gadites they separated to David to the castle from the desert strong ones of power, men of the army for war, setting in array the shield and spear, and the face of a lion their faces, and as roes upon the mountain to make haste;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
From Gaddi also there went over to David, when he lay hid in the wilderness most valiant men, and excellent warriors, holding shield and spear: whose faces were like the faces of a lion, and they were swift like the roebucks on the mountains.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then too, from Gad, there went over to David, when he was hiding in the desert, very robust men, who were excellent fighters, taking hold of shield and spear; their faces were like the faces of a lion, and they were swift like the roe deer upon the mountains.

New American Bible
Some of the Gadites also went over to David when he was at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were valiant warriors, experienced soldiers equipped with shield and spear, fearsome as lions, swift as gazelles on the mountains.

New Revised Standard Version
From the Gadites there went over to David at the stronghold in the wilderness mighty and experienced warriors, expert with shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and who were swift as gazelles on the mountains:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And those of the tribe of the Gadites separated themselves to David to go out with him to the stronghold in the wilderness; mighty men and men of stature and fit for battle, who could handle sword and shield, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and who were swift for war upon the mountains:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And men, mighty men of power and strong in stature, and valiant men from the tribe of the house of Gad, were gathered to David to go out with him for battle to Matsruth that is in the wilderness, wielders of swords and shields; their appearances were as the appearance of lions and whenever they fought on the Mountain of Herbs for him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valour, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And from Gad these separated themselves to David from the wilderness, strong mighty men of war, bearing shields and spears, and their faces were as the face of a lion, and they were nimble as roes upon the mountains in speed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Mighty Men Join David at Ziklag
7and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham from Gedor. 8Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains: 9Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third,…

Cross References
Judges 7:1-8
Early in the morning Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the men with him camped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ / Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. ...

2 Samuel 2:18
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,

2 Samuel 17:8
He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops.

2 Samuel 23:8-39
These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, / but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead. ...

2 Kings 2:23-24
From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” / Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

2 Kings 1:8
“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.

Isaiah 11:6-9
The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them. / The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. / The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. ...

Isaiah 35:6
Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

Jeremiah 12:5
“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in a peaceful land, how will you do in the thickets of the Jordan?

Ezekiel 19:2-3
and say: ‘What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs. / She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.

Matthew 3:4
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.

Mark 1:6
John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Luke 1:80
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.

Luke 3:2-6
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. / He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, / as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And of the Gadites there separated themselves to David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes on the mountains;

into the hold

1 Chronicles 12:16
And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.

1 Chronicles 11:16
And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 23:14,29
And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand…

of war [heb] of the host

2 Chronicles 25:5
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.

Jeremiah 46:9
Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.

whose faces

1 Chronicles 11:22
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.

2 Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

2 Samuel 17:10
And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.

2 Samuel 2:18
And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.

Proverbs 6:5
Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Song of Solomon 8:14
Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

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Battle Buckler David Faces Fit Gadites Handle Hold Lions Mighty Mountains Roes Separated Shield Spear Stronghold Swift Themselves Trained Valor Valour War Wilderness
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Battle Buckler David Faces Fit Gadites Handle Hold Lions Mighty Mountains Roes Separated Shield Spear Stronghold Swift Themselves Trained Valor Valour War Wilderness
1 Chronicles 12
1. The companies that came to David at Ziklag
23. The armies that came to him at Hebron














Mighty men of valor
The Hebrew term here is "גִּבּוֹרֵי חַיִל" (gibborei chayil), which conveys not just physical strength but also courage and moral fortitude. These men were not ordinary soldiers; they were elite warriors, distinguished by their bravery and dedication. In the context of David's time, such men were crucial for establishing and defending the kingdom. Their valor is a reminder of the spiritual courage required of believers today, to stand firm in faith amidst the challenges of the world.

Trained for battle
The phrase indicates a level of preparation and discipline. The Hebrew root "לָמַד" (lamad) suggests learning and skill acquired through practice. These men were not only naturally gifted but also honed their abilities through rigorous training. This reflects the Christian call to be spiritually prepared, to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11), and to be ready to face spiritual battles with wisdom and strength.

Who could handle the shield and spear
The ability to wield these weapons signifies both offensive and defensive capabilities. The shield (מָגֵן, magen) represents protection, while the spear (רֹמַח, romach) symbolizes the ability to strike against the enemy. In a spiritual sense, this dual capability is akin to the believer's need to defend against spiritual attacks while also advancing the kingdom of God through the proclamation of the Gospel.

Whose faces were like the faces of lions
This simile emphasizes fearlessness and majesty. Lions are often seen as symbols of power and authority in the Bible. The warriors' countenance reflected their inner strength and confidence, instilling fear in their adversaries. For Christians, this can be seen as a call to reflect the boldness and authority of Christ in our lives, standing firm in the truth with confidence and courage.

And they were as swift as gazelles on the mountains
The comparison to gazelles highlights agility and speed. Gazelles are known for their ability to navigate difficult terrain with ease. This imagery suggests that these warriors were not only strong but also quick and adaptable. Spiritually, this can be interpreted as the need for believers to be quick to respond to God's call, to move with purpose and agility in fulfilling His will, and to navigate the challenges of life with grace and determination.

(8-18) A. list of Gadites, and an account of a band of Judaeans and Benjammites who joined David in the stronghold (1Chronicles 11:14) towards the desert of Judah.

(8) Separated themselves from the royalists of Gad, who clung to Saul.

Into the hold to (towards) the wilderness.--Perhaps the cave of Adullam (1Samuel 22:1; 1Samuel 22:4), or one of David's other haunts, the wooded Mount of Hachilah (1Samuel 23:19), or the crag of Maon, or the rocks of En-gedi (1Samuel 23:25; 1Samuel 23:29). "Caves and holds" are mentioned together as refuges (Judges 6:2). In the earlier period of his outlawry, David found refuge in the natural fastnesses of Judaea. . . .

Verse 8. - As ver. 1 is introduced by the description of those who came together "to David to Ziklag" at a certain time, so it seems evident that this verse introduces the mention of certain others who befriended David at another time, by coming to him into the hold to the wilderness. These others were Gadites in part, and the hold none more likely than that of Adullam (ver. 16 of last chapter), although the word here employed (לַמְצַד) for "hold" is a different form of the word (מְצוּדָה) found both there and in the parallel (2 Samuel 23:14). There is, however, nothing to negative the choice of other spots and occasions (1 Samuel 22:5; 1 Samuel 23:14, 19, 24, 29, Authorized Version; 1 Samuel 24:1, Authorized Version). This graphic description of the military and indeed native qualities of these Gadites, is in harmony with many other glimpses we get of them and their character (1 Chronicles 5:19-22; 2 Samuel 1:23; 2 Samuel 2:18).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Some
וּמִן־ (ū·min-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's Hebrew

Gadites
הַגָּדִ֡י (hag·gā·ḏî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1425: Gadites -- descendants of Gad

defected
נִבְדְּל֣וּ (niḇ·də·lū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 914: To be divided, separate

to David
דָּוִיד֩ (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

at his stronghold
לַמְצַ֨ד (lam·ṣaḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4679: Fastness, a stronghold

in the desert.
מִדְבָּ֜רָה (miḏ·bā·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

They were mighty warriors,
גִּבֹּרֵ֣י (gib·bō·rê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

trained for battle,
לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

experts
עֹרְכֵ֥י (‘ō·rə·ḵê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order

with shield
צִנָּ֖ה (ṣin·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6793: A hook, a, shield, cold

and spear,
וָרֹ֑מַח (wā·rō·maḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7420: A lance, the iron point

whose faces [were like]
פְּנֵיהֶ֔ם (pə·nê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

the faces
וּפְנֵ֤י (ū·p̄ə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of lions
אַרְיֵה֙ (’ar·yêh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 743: Aridatha -- a son of Haman

and who were as swift
לְמַהֵֽר׃ (lə·ma·hêr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4116: To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptly

as gazelles
וְכִצְבָאיִ֥ם (wə·ḵiṣ·ḇā·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6643: Splendor, a gazelle

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's Hebrew

the mountains:
הֶהָרִ֖ים (he·hā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 12:8 Of the Gadites there separated themselves (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 12:7
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