Able to Keep Rank

Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand,
which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.
 
1 Chron 12:33 KJV

Men who could keep rank. The phrase is used in many places. Various commentators confirmed my first concept: that it meant being able to hold your position; in rows or columns. In a military parade or a marching band, it is easy to see how important keeping in one’s place is in order to create the various patterns of movement without collisions. But there were other related translations or concepts such as “being able to set in battle array,” “to remain faithful and loyal” and “to be of a single mind or not double minded.” At one point I saw that David and Joab simply setting their warriors in “battle array” was enough to send the enemy packing in fear without ever engaging!

If keeping rank is only so that a performance can be beautifully executed it requires a great deal of concentration. In a battle, keeping one’s position is a matter of life and death. Men who are able to keep rank have been well trained and are disciplined. Working together under the direction of a leader who is viewing the whole scene empowers them all. It involves the sense of loyalty and faithfulness toward a shared leade ...

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