1 Chronicles 12:8 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Warriors from Gad separated themselves to join David, fierce as lions and swift as gazelles.
What Does 1 Chronicles 12:8 Mean?
Now the writer turns to a second group, men of the tribe of Gad, who broke away from their settled life to find David in his desert stronghold. They were seasoned fighters, skilled with shield and spear, described with two vivid images: faces fierce as lions and feet swift as mountain deer.
To separate themselves meant a deliberate, costly choice to leave one allegiance for another. Their courage and speed were now devoted to the king God favored. Likewise, those who come to Christ make a decisive break with the old life, bringing their whole strength to follow Him without looking back.
1 Chronicles 12:8 in the Original Language
badal (בָדַל), 'separated' -- to divide off or set apart for a distinct purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Chronicles 12:8
What does 1 Chronicles 12:8 mean?
Warriors from Gad separated themselves to join David, fierce as lions and swift as gazelles.