Topical Bible: Valor

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Topical Encyclopedia

Valor, often synonymous with courage and bravery, is a quality highly esteemed in the biblical narrative. It is the strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness and resolve. In the Bible, valor is frequently associated with warriors and leaders who demonstrate exceptional courage in the face of adversity, often underpinned by their faith in God.

Old Testament Examples

One of the most notable figures of valor in the Old Testament is Gideon. In Judges 6:12, the angel of the Lord addresses Gideon as a "mighty man of valor" , despite Gideon's initial hesitance and feelings of inadequacy. Gideon's account illustrates that true valor is not merely a human attribute but is often a divine calling, empowered by God to achieve His purposes.

King David is another quintessential example of valor. As a young shepherd, David displayed remarkable courage when he faced Goliath, the Philistine giant. In 1 Samuel 17:45, David declares, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" . David's valor was rooted in his unwavering faith in God rather than in his own strength or military prowess.

The concept of valor is also embodied in the "mighty men" of David, a group of elite warriors renowned for their extraordinary feats of bravery. 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11 recount the exploits of these men, highlighting their loyalty and courage in battle.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not focus on physical warfare, the concept of valor is evident in the spiritual realm. The Apostle Paul frequently uses military imagery to describe the Christian life, urging believers to "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) and to stand firm against spiritual adversaries. This metaphorical armor includes truth, righteousness, faith, and the Word of God, suggesting that spiritual valor involves steadfastness in faith and moral integrity.

In Acts 4:13, Peter and John are described as having boldness (or valor) when they speak before the Sanhedrin, despite being "unschooled, ordinary men" . Their courage is attributed to their relationship with Jesus, indicating that true valor in the New Testament context is derived from the Holy Spirit's empowerment.

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

The book of Proverbs also speaks to the concept of valor, particularly in the context of moral and ethical courage. Proverbs 28:1 states, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion" . This verse underscores the idea that righteousness and valor are interconnected, with moral integrity providing the foundation for true courage.

The "wife of noble character" described in Proverbs 31 is another example of valor. While often translated as "virtuous," the Hebrew word "chayil" can also mean "valorous" or "strong." Proverbs 31:25 states, "Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come" , highlighting her inner strength and confidence.

Conclusion

Valor in the biblical sense is not merely about physical bravery but encompasses moral and spiritual courage. It is a quality that is often divinely inspired and sustained, enabling individuals to stand firm in their faith and convictions, regardless of the challenges they face.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) Value; worth.

2. (n.) Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; prowess; intrepidity.

3. (n.) A brave man; a man of valor.

Greek

703. arete -- moral goodness, ie virtue
... praise, virtue. From the same as arrhen; properly, manliness (valor), ie Excellence
(intrinsic or attributed) -- praise, virtue. see GREEK arrhen. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/703.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

1575. Gammadim -- "men of valor," defenders of Tyre
... 1574, 1575. Gammadim. 1576 . "men of valor," defenders of Tyre. Transliteration:
Gammadim Phonetic Spelling: (gam-mawd') Short Definition: Gammadim. ...
/hebrew/1575.htm - 6k

2428. chayil -- strength, efficiency, wealth, army
... 1), power (2), retinue (2), riches (9), strength (10), strong (2), substance (1),
troops (2), valiant (41), valiant* (4), valiantly (6), valor (18), very ...
/hebrew/2428.htm - 6k

1369. geburah -- strength, might
... Feminine passive participle from the same as gibbowr; force (literally or figuratively);
by implication, valor, victory -- force, mastery, might, mighty (act ...
/hebrew/1369.htm - 6k

Library

How the Hebrews were Delivered from a Famine when the Gibeonites ...
... Be Inflicted For Those Of Them That Had Been Slain: As Also, What Great Actions
Were Performed Against The Philistines By David, And The Men Of Valor About Him ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how the hebrews.htm

The Will.
... This valor is regarded by the sacred writer as one of the finest qualities with
which woman can be adorned, since she owes to it all her true success and glory ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter ix the will.htm

How the Entire City of Jerusalem was Demolished, Excepting Three ...
... as were the towers also spared, in order to demonstrate to posterity what kind of
city it was, and how well fortified, which the Roman valor had subdued; but ...
/.../chapter 1 how the entire.htm

Concerning Zamaris, the Babylonian Jew; Concerning the Plots Laid ...
... a possession, died, having lived virtuously, and left children of a good character
behind him; one of whom was Jacim, who was famous for his valor, and taught ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning zamaris the.htm

That the Miseries Still Grew Worse; and How the Romans Made an ...
... by their calamities; for what would not those be able to bear if they should be
fortunate, who turned their very misfortunes to the improvement of their valor! ...
/.../chapter 1 that the miseries.htm

The Battle of Thermopylae.
... at the pass."Troops sent into the pass."Defeat of the Persian detachment."The Immortals
called out."The Immortals advance to the charge."Valor of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ix the battle of.htm

How one of the Towers Erected by the Romans Fell Down of Its Own ...
... It was, besides, esteemed an advantage at present to have any one's valor known
by Caesar; on which account many of them appeared to have more alacrity than ...
/.../chapter 7 how one of.htm

Jehoshaphat
... Men of war, mighty men of valor, . . . ... Jehoshaphat was a man of courage and valor.
For years he had been strengthening his armies and his fortified cities. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

Three Names High on the Muster-Roll
... of God! Thirteen times their names recur in this chapter, like a refrain
to the song which speaks of their deed of valor. Notice ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/three names high on the.htm

The Story of a Cup of Water
... selfish. To his mind it would have been a mean and low repayment to these
men to drink their water with loud praises of their valor. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the story of a cup.htm

Thesaurus

Valor (45 Occurrences)
... prowess; intrepidity. 3. (n.) A brave man; a man of valor. Multi-Version
Concordance Valor (45 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 3 ...
/v/valor.htm - 21k

Brave (15 Occurrences)
... 18 Then one of the young men answered, and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse
the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man ...
/b/brave.htm - 11k

Valour (66 Occurrences)
... saying, Jehovah your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over
armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all the men of valor. ...
/v/valour.htm - 26k

Warriors (75 Occurrences)
... shall live in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but you shall pass
over before your brothers armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help ...
/w/warriors.htm - 27k

Capable (10 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Chronicles 26:6 Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born, who ruled
over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valor. (See NIV). ...
/c/capable.htm - 10k

Listed (48 Occurrences)
... sons of Tola: Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Ibsam, and Shemuel,
heads of their fathers' houses, to wit, of Tola; mighty men of valor in their ...
/l/listed.htm - 21k

Warrior (36 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:12 The angel of Yahweh appeared to him, and said to him, "Yahweh
is with you, you mighty man of valor!" (See NAS NIV). Judges ...
/w/warrior.htm - 16k

Twenty-two (26 Occurrences)
... sons of Tola: Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Ibsam, and Shemuel,
heads of their fathers' houses, to wit, of Tola; mighty men of valor in their ...
/t/twenty-two.htm - 14k

Enrolled (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 7:5 Their brothers among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of
valor, reckoned in all by genealogy, were eighty-seven thousand. ...
/e/enrolled.htm - 13k

Affairs (27 Occurrences)
... answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the
Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man ...
/a/affairs.htm - 14k

Resources

What does the Bible say about keeping your vows / oaths? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? | GotQuestions.org

Why will God not give His glory to another (Isaiah 42:8)? | GotQuestions.org

Valor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Valor (45 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy 3:18
I commanded you at that time, saying, "Yahweh your God has given you this land to possess it: you shall pass over armed before your brothers the children of Israel, all the men of valor.
(WEB ASV RSV)

Joshua 1:14
Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock, shall live in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but you shall pass over before your brothers armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help them
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Joshua 6:2
Yahweh said to Joshua, "Behold, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the mighty men of valor.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Joshua 8:3
So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up to Ai. Joshua chose thirty thousand men, the mighty men of valor, and sent them out by night.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Joshua 10:7
So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Judges 3:29
They struck of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, every lusty man, and every man of valor; and there escaped not a man.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Judges 6:12
The angel of Yahweh appeared to him, and said to him, "Yahweh is with you, you mighty man of valor!"
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Judges 11:1
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, and he was the son of a prostitute: and Gilead became the father of Jephthah.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Judges 18:2
The children of Dan sent of their family five men from their whole number, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said to them, "Go, explore the land!" They came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Judges 20:44
There fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valor.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Judges 20:46
So that all who fell that day of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword; all these were men of valor.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV)

1 Samuel 9:1
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.
(WEB ASV NAS)

1 Samuel 10:26
And Saul also went to his house to Gibeah; and there went with him the men of valour, whose hearts God had touched.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 16:18
Then one of the young men answered, and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Yahweh is with him."
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

1 Kings 11:28
The man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon saw the young man that he was industrious, and he put him in charge of all the labor of the house of Joseph.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

2 Kings 5:1
Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

2 Kings 24:14
He carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths; none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 5:24
These were the heads of their fathers' houses: even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 7:2
The sons of Tola: Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers' houses, to wit, of Tola; mighty men of valor in their generations: their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred.
(WEB ASV NAS)

1 Chronicles 7:5
Their brothers among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valor, reckoned in all by genealogy, were eighty-seven thousand.
(WEB ASV NAS)

1 Chronicles 7:7
The sons of Bela: Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers' houses, mighty men of valor; and they were reckoned by genealogy twenty-two thousand thirty-four.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 7:9
They were reckoned by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their fathers' houses, mighty men of valor, twenty thousand two hundred.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 7:11
All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers' houses, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand and two hundred, who were able to go forth in the army for war.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 7:40
All these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers' houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the princes. The number of them reckoned by genealogy for service in war was twenty-six thousand men.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 8:40
The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, one hundred fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 12:21
They helped David against the band of rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the army.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 12:25
Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 12:28
and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty-two captains.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 12:30
Of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 26:6
Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born, who ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valor.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)

1 Chronicles 26:30
Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, men of valor, one thousand seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward, for all the business of Yahweh, and for the service of the king.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

1 Chronicles 26:31
Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their generations by fathers' houses. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

1 Chronicles 26:32
His brothers, men of valor, were two thousand seven hundred, heads of fathers' houses, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king. Ezra
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

1 Chronicles 28:1
David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies who served the king by division, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem.
(WEB ASV)

2 Chronicles 13:3
Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

2 Chronicles 14:8
Asa had an army that bore bucklers and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred eighty thousand: all these were mighty men of valor.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

2 Chronicles 17:13
He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

2 Chronicles 17:14
This was the numbering of them according to their fathers' houses: Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand;
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

2 Chronicles 17:16
and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Yahweh; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

2 Chronicles 17:17
Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

2 Chronicles 25:6
He hired also one hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

2 Chronicles 26:12
The whole number of the heads of fathers' houses, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

2 Chronicles 26:17
And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men;
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 28:6
For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.
(See RSV)

Nehemiah 11:14
and their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.
(WEB ASV WBS RSV)

Subtopics

Valor

Related Terms

Gammadim (1 Occurrence)

Valor (45 Occurrences)

Virtuous (5 Occurrences)

Manned (2 Occurrences)

Arvad (2 Occurrences)

Helon (5 Occurrences)

Perfected (25 Occurrences)

Jeroboam (96 Occurrences)

Valour (66 Occurrences)