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Amplified Bible

1 Chronicles 12:8

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.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - David;   Deer;   Gad;   Thompson Chain Reference - Animals;   Deer;   Shields;   Warriors;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Gad, the Tribe of;   Mountains;   Roe, the;   Shields;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Gad;   Roe and Roebuck;   War;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - David;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Buckler;   Chronicles, Books of;   David;   Gad;   Roe;   Shield;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Benjamin;   Eliel;   Elzabad;   Footman;   Gad (1);   Lion;   Machbanai;   Naphtali;   Obadiah;   Roe;   War;   Ziklag;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Arms and Armor;   Obadiah;   Tribes of Israel, the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Chronicles, I;   Gad;   Gazelle;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Gad;   Ziklag ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Gad;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Armor;   Arms;   David;   Gad (2);   Ziklag;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Arms, Armor;   E'zer;   Roe, Roebuck;   War;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Lion;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - War;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Deer;   Eliab;   Gad (1);   Games;   Gazelle;   Lion;   Roe;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Gad;   Shield;  

Parallel Translations

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.
Hebrew Names Version
Of the Gadi 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;
King James Version
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;
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:
New Century Version
Part of the people of Gad joined David at his stronghold in the desert. They were brave warriors trained for war and skilled with shields and spears. They were as fierce as lions and as fast as gazelles over the hills.
New English Translation
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 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.
World 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;
Geneva Bible (1587)
And of the Gadites there separated them selues some vnto Dauid into the holde of the wildernesse, valiant men of warre, and men of armes, and apt for battel, which coulde handle speare and shielde, and their faces were like the faces of lyons, and were like the roes in the mountaines in swiftnesse,
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were mighty warriors, trained for battle, experts with shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains:
Contemporary English Version

Warriors from the Gad tribe

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.
Complete Jewish Bible
and Yo‘elah and Z'vadyah the sons of Yerocham from G'dor.
Darby Translation
And of the Gadites, there separated themselves to David in the stronghold in the wilderness mighty men of valour, men fit for the service of war, armed with shield and spear; whose faces were [like] the faces of lions, and who were swift as the gazelles upon the mountains:
Easy-to-Read Version
Part of the tribe of Gad joined David at his fortress in the desert. They were brave soldiers trained for war and skilled with the shield and spear. They looked as fierce as lions, and they could run as fast as gazelles through the mountains.
George Lamsa Translation
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:
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.
Lexham English Bible
And from the Gadites, valiant mighty warriors, soldiers fit for war, expert with shield and spear, defected to David at the fortress toward the wilderness. And they had faces like lions and were swift as gazelles upon the mountains.
Literal Translation
And of the Gadites, there were separated to David, to the stronghold in the wilderness, valiant warriors, men of the army for battle, setting shield and spear in order, and their faces theface of a lion, and as gazelles on the heightsfor swiftness:
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Of the Gaddites resorted there vnto Dauid to the castell in the wyldernesse, mightie Worthies and men of armes, which hadled speares and swerdes, and had faces like lios, & were as swifte as the Roes vpon ye mountaynes.
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:
Bible in Basic English
And some of the Gadites, siding with David, went to his strong place in the waste land, great and strong men, trained for war, expert in the use of arms, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were quick-footed like roes on the mountains;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And of the Gadites there seperated themselues some vnto Dauid into the houlde of the wildernesse, men of might and men apt for the warre, & that coulde handle shielde and speare, whose faces were lyke the faces of lions, and they were as swyft as the Roes in the mountaynes.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of the troop.
King James Version (1611)
And of the Gadites there separated themselues vnto Dauid, into the hold to the wildernesse, men of might, and men of warre, fit for the battel, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of Lyons, and were as swift as the Roes vpon the mountaines:
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
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.
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;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But also of Gaddi strongeste men, and beste fiyteris, holdynge scheld and spere, fledden ouer to Dauid, whanne he was hid in deseert; the faces of hem as the face of a lioun, and thei weren swift as capretis in hillis.
Update Bible Version
And 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;
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 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.
New Life Bible
Powerful soldiers came from the Gadites to David in the strong-place in the desert. They had been taught how to fight in war, and could use the battle-covering and spear. Their faces were like the faces of lions. And they were as fast as the deer on the mountains.
New Revised Standard
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:
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, of the Gadites, there separated themselves unto David, to the stronghold towards the desert, heroes of valour, men of war, for battle, men that could handle shield and spear, - and, faces of lions, were their faces, and, like gazelles upon the mountains, were they, for swiftness:
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.
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 upon the mountains:
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:
THE MESSAGE
There were some Gadites there who had defected to David at his wilderness fortress; they were seasoned and eager fighters who knew how to handle shield and spear. They were wild in appearance, like lions, but as agile as gazelles racing across the hills. Ezer was the first, then Obadiah, Eliab, Mishmannah, Jeremiah, Attai, Eliel, Johanan, Elzabad, Jeremiah, and Macbannai—eleven of them. These Gadites were the cream of the crop—any one of them was worth a hundred lesser men, and the best of them were worth a thousand. They were the ones who crossed the Jordan when it was at flood stage in the first month, and put everyone in the lowlands to flight, both east and west.
New American Standard Bible (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.

Contextual Overview

1These are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he still concealed himself from Saul the son of Kish; they were among the courageous men who helped him in battle. 2They were armed with bows, and could use the right hand or the left to sling stones and shoot arrows from the bow; they were Saul's relatives from [the tribe of] Benjamin. 3The chief was Ahiezer and then Joash, the sons of Shemaah of Gibeah; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah, and Jehu of Anathoth, 4Ishmaiah of Gibeon, a mighty man among the thirty, and [a leader] over them; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad of Gederah, 5Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, 6Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites, 7and Joelah and Zebadiah the sons of Jeroham of Gedor. 8Courageous 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.9Ezer was the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, 10Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

into the hold: 1 Chronicles 12:16, 1 Chronicles 11:16, 1 Samuel 23:14, 1 Samuel 23:29, 1 Samuel 24:22

of war: Heb. of the host

handle: 2 Chronicles 25:5, Jeremiah 46:9

whose faces: 1 Chronicles 11:22, 2 Samuel 1:23, 2 Samuel 17:10, 2 Samuel 23:20, Proverbs 28:1

as swift as the roes upon the mountains: Heb. as the roes upon the mountains to make haste, 2 Samuel 2:18, Proverbs 6:5, Song of Solomon 8:14

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:20 - Blessed Ezekiel 1:10 - the face of a lion Ezekiel 38:4 - handling Revelation 9:17 - as the

Cross-References

Genesis 4:26
To Seth, also, a son was born, whom he named Enosh (mortal man, mankind). At that [same] time men began to call on the name of the LORD [in worship through prayer, praise, and thanksgiving].
Genesis 12:12
so when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife'; and they will kill me [to acquire you], but they will let you live.
Genesis 12:14
And when Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was very beautiful.
Genesis 12:15
Pharaoh's princes (officials) also saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken [for the purpose of marriage] into Pharaoh's house (harem).
Genesis 12:16
Therefore Pharaoh treated Abram well for her sake; he acquired sheep, oxen, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.
Genesis 13:4
where he had first built an altar; and there Abram called on the name of the LORD [in prayer].
Genesis 21:33
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD [in prayer], the Eternal God.
Genesis 28:19
He named that place Bethel (the house of God); the previous name of that city was Luz (Almond Tree).
Genesis 35:3
then let us get up and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone."
Joshua 7:2
Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." So the men went up and spied out Ai.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David, into the hold to the wilderness,.... Men of the tribe of Gad, who lived on the other side Jordan; these separated themselves from the rest of their tribe, from their families and dwellings, and from the government of Saul, and came over to David, and joined him either when he was in some strong hold in the wilderness of Ziph, or Maon, 1 Samuel 23:14, or, as some think, when he was at Ziklag, in the hold there, said to be in the wilderness of Judah:

men of might, and men of war, fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler; warlike, valiant, and courageous men, well skilled in military discipline: whose faces were like the face of lions; bold, stern, and fierce. The philosopher observes d, that of all creatures the lion most resembles a man, having a great mouth, a square face and forehead, large eye brows, c.

and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains which are remarkable for their swiftness on the mountains, see Song of Solomon 2:17. Aelianus e speaks of one sort of them that run as swift as a tempest. These Gadites, as with their undaunted looks and courage, intimidated their enemies, and put them to flight, so they were swift to pursue them, and overtake them.

d Aristot. Physiognom. c. 5. e De Animal. l. 14. c. 14.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Into the hold to the wilderness - Rather, “into the hold toward the wilderness.” Some understand by this Ziklag, some En-gedi 1 Samuel 24:1-2; but it seems most probable that here and in 1 Chronicles 12:16 the stronghold of Adullam is intended 1 Chronicles 11:15-16.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Chronicles 12:8. And were as swift as the roes — That swiftness was considered to be a grand accomplishment in a warrior, appears from all ancient writings which treat of military affairs.


 
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