2 Samuel

2 Samuel 21:15–22

15Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted.

16Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha,c whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekelsd and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. 17But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him.

Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”

18Some time later at Gob, there was another battle with the Philistines. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph,e a descendant of Rapha.

19Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jairf the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliathg the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

20And there was also a battle at Gath, where there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot— twenty-four in all. He too was descended from Rapha, 21and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimeih killed him.

22So these four descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David and his servants.

Footnotes

  • c 21:16 Or the giant; also in verses 18, 20, and 22
  • d 21:16 300 shekels is approximately 7.5 pounds or 3.4 kilograms.
  • e 21:18 Saph is a variant of Sippai; see 1 Chronicles 20:4|1CH 20:4.
  • f 21:19 See 1 Chronicles 20:5|1CH 20:5; Hebrew Jaare-oregim
  • g 21:19 See 1 Chronicles 20:5|1CH 20:5; Hebrew does not include the brother of.
  • h 21:21 Shimei is a variant of Shammah, Shimeah, and Shimea; see 1 Samuel 16:9|1SA 16:9, 2 Samuel 13:3, and 1 Chronicles 2:13.

Read all of 2 Samuel 21

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

2 Samuel 21:15

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Once againע֧וֹד‘ō·wḏAdverbH5750 a going round, continuance
the Philistinesלַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖יםlap·pə·liš·tîmPreposition-l, Article; Noun - proper - masculine pluralH6430 Philistine
waged warמִלְחָמָ֛הmil·ḥā·māhNoun - feminine singularH4421 battle, war
againstאֶת־’eṯ-PrepositionH854 with
Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êlNoun - proper - masculine singularH3478 Israel
and Davidדָּוִ֜דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
and his servantsוַעֲבָדָ֥יוwa·‘ă·ḇā·ḏāwConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singularH5650 slave, servant
went downוַיֵּ֨רֶדway·yê·reḏConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH3381 come or go down, descend
and foughtוַיִּלָּחֲמ֥וּway·yil·lā·ḥă·mūConjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH3898 fight, do battle
againstאֶת־’eṯ-PrepositionH854 with
the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖יםpə·liš·tîmNoun - proper - masculine pluralH6430 Philistine
But Davidדָּוִֽד׃dā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
became exhaustedוַיָּ֥עַףway·yā·‘ap̄Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5888 be faint

2 Samuel 21:16

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Then Ishbi-benobבְּנֹ֜בbə·nōḇConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singularH3430 Jishbo-be-Nob
a descendantבִּילִידֵ֣יbî·lî·ḏêPreposition-b; Noun - masculine plural constructH3211 born
of Raphaהָרָפָ֗הhā·rā·p̄āhArticle; Noun - proper - masculine singularH7497 giant
whose bronzeנְחֹ֔שֶׁתnə·ḥō·šeṯNoun - feminine singularH5178 copper, bronze
spearקֵינוֹ֙qê·nōwNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH7013 spear
weighedוּמִשְׁקַ֤לū·miš·qalConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular constructH4948 id.
threeשְׁלֹ֤שׁšə·lōšNumber - feminine singular constructH7969 a three, triad
hundredמֵאוֹת֙mê·’ō·wṯNumber - feminine pluralH3967 hundred
and whoוְה֖וּאwə·hūConjunctive waw; Pronoun - third person masculine singularH1931 he, she
was bearingחָג֣וּרḥā·ḡūrVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singularH2296 gird, gird on, gird oneself
a newחֲדָשָׁ֑הḥă·ḏā·šāhAdjective - feminine singularH2319 new
resolvedוַיֹּ֖אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
to killלְהַכּ֥וֹתlə·hak·kō·wṯPreposition-l; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructH5221 smite
Davidדָּוִֽד׃dā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David

2 Samuel 21:17

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
But Abishaiאֲבִישַׁ֣י’ă·ḇî·šayNoun - proper - masculine singularH52 Abishai
sonבֶּן־ben-Noun - masculine singular constructH1121 son
of Zeruiahצְרוּיָ֔הṣə·rū·yāhNoun - proper - masculine singularH6870 Tserujah
came to his aidוַיַּֽעֲזָר־way·ya·‘ă·zār-Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5826 help, succour
struckוַיַּ֥ךְway·yaḵConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5221 smite
the Philistineהַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖יhap·pə·liš·tîArticle; Noun - proper - masculine singularH6430 Philistine
and killed himוַיְמִיתֵ֑הוּway·mî·ṯê·hūConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular; third person masculine singularH4191 die
Thenאָ֣ז’āzAdverbH227 at that time, then
David’sדָוִ֨דḏā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
menאַנְשֵׁי־’an·šê-Noun - masculine plural constructH582 man, mankind
sworeנִשְׁבְּעוּ֩niš·bə·‘ūVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common pluralH7650 swear
to himל֜וֹlōwPreposition; third person masculine singular
You must neverלֹא־lō-Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
againע֤וֹד‘ō·wḏAdverbH5750 a going round, continuance
go outתֵצֵ֨אṯê·ṣêVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singularH3318 go or come out
with usאִתָּ֙נוּ֙’it·tā·nūPreposition; first person common pluralH854 with
to battleלַמִּלְחָמָ֔הlam·mil·ḥā·māhPreposition-l, Article; Noun - feminine singularH4421 battle, war
so that the lampנֵ֥רnêrNoun - masculine singular constructH5216 lamp
of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃פyiś·rā·’êlNoun - proper - masculine singularH3478 Israel
may notוְלֹ֥אwə·lōConjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
be extinguishedתְכַבֶּ֖הṯə·ḵab·behVerb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singularH3518 be quenched, extinguished, go out

2 Samuel 21:18

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Some time laterאַֽחֲרֵי־’a·ḥă·rê-PrepositionH310 behind
at Gobבְּג֖וֹבbə·ḡō·wḇPreposition-b; Noun - proper - masculine singularH1359 pit, den
there wasוַֽיְהִי֙way·hîConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
anotherע֧וֹד‘ō·wḏAdverbH5750 a going round, continuance
battleהַמִּלְחָמָ֛הham·mil·ḥā·māhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH4421 battle, war
withעִם־‘im-PrepositionH5973 with
the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑יםpə·liš·tîmNoun - proper - masculine pluralH6430 Philistine
At that timeאָ֣ז’āzAdverbH227 at that time, then
Sibbecaiסִבְּכַי֙sib·bə·ḵayNoun - proper - masculine singularH5444 Sibbecai
the Hushathiteהַחֻ֣שָׁתִ֔יha·ḥu·šā·ṯîArticle; Noun - proper - masculine singularH2843 Chushathite
killedהִכָּ֗הhik·kāhVerb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singularH5221 smite
Saphסַ֕ףsap̄Noun - proper - masculine singularH5593 Saph
aאֲשֶׁ֖ר’ă·šerPronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
descendantבִּילִדֵ֥יbî·li·ḏêPreposition-b; Noun - masculine plural constructH3211 born
of Raphaהָרָפָֽה׃פhā·rā·p̄āhArticle; Noun - proper - masculine singularH7497 giant

2 Samuel 21:19

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Once againע֧וֹד‘ō·wḏAdverbH5750 a going round, continuance
there wasוַתְּהִי־wat·tə·hî-Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
a battleהַמִּלְחָמָ֛הham·mil·ḥā·māhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH4421 battle, war
withעִם־‘im-PrepositionH5973 with
the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑יםpə·liš·tîmNoun - proper - masculine pluralH6430 Philistine
at Gobבְּג֖וֹבbə·ḡō·wḇPreposition-b; Noun - proper - masculine singularH1359 pit, den
and Elhananאֶלְחָנָן֩’el·ḥā·nānNoun - proper - masculine singularH445 Elchanan
sonבֶּן־ben-Noun - masculine singular constructH1121 son
of Jairאֹרְגִ֜ים’ō·rə·ḡîmNoun - proper - masculine singularH3296 Jaare-Oregim
the Bethlehemiteהַלַּחְמִ֗יhal·laḥ·mîNoun - proper - masculine singularH1022 Beth-lechemite
killedוַיַּ֡ךְway·yaḵConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5221 smite
Goliathגָּלְיָ֣תgā·lə·yāṯNoun - proper - masculine singularH1555 Goljath
the Gittiteהַגִּתִּ֔יhag·git·tîArticle; Noun - proper - masculine singularH1663 Gittite
the shaftוְעֵ֣ץwə·‘êṣConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular constructH6086 tree, trees, wood
of whose spearחֲנִית֔וֹḥă·nî·ṯōwNoun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH2595 spear
was like a weaver’sאֹרְגִֽים׃ס’ō·rə·ḡîmVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralH707 weave
beamכִּמְנ֖וֹרkim·nō·wrPreposition-k; Noun - masculine singular constructH4500 beam

2 Samuel 21:20

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
And there wasוַתְּהִי־wat·tə·hî-Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
alsoע֥וֹד‘ō·wḏAdverbH5750 a going round, continuance
a battleמִלְחָמָ֖הmil·ḥā·māhNoun - feminine singularH4421 battle, war
at Gathבְּגַ֑תbə·ḡaṯPreposition-b; Noun - proper - feminine singularH1661 wine-press
where there was a manאִ֣ישׁ’îšNoun - masculine singular constructH376 man
ofמָדִיןmå̄·ḏīnNoun - masculine singularH4060 measure, measurement, stature, size, garment
withוַיְהִ֣י׀way·hîConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
sixשֵׁ֣שׁšêšNumber - feminine singularH8337 six
fingersוְאֶצְבְּעֹ֣תwə·’eṣ·bə·‘ōṯConjunctive waw; Noun - feminine plural constructH676 finger
on each handיָדָיו֩yā·ḏāwNoun - feminine dual construct; third person masculine singularH3027 hand
and sixוָשֵׁ֗שׁwā·šêšConjunctive waw; Number - feminine singularH8337 six
toesוְאֶצְבְּעֹ֨תwə·’eṣ·bə·‘ōṯConjunctive waw; Noun - feminine plural constructH676 finger
on each footרַגְלָ֜יוraḡ·lāwNoun - feminine dual construct; third person masculine singularH7272 foot
twenty-fourעֶשְׂרִ֤ים‘eś·rîmNumber - common pluralH6242 (a) twenty
in allמִסְפָּ֔רmis·pārNoun - masculine singularH4557 number, tale
Heה֖וּאhūPronoun - third person masculine singularH1931 he, she
tooוְגַם־wə·ḡam-ConjunctionH1571 also, moreover, yea
was descendedיֻלַּ֥דyul·laḏVerb - QalPass - Perfect - third person masculine singularH3205 bear, bring forth, beget
from Raphaלְהָרָפָֽה׃lə·hā·rā·p̄āhPreposition-l, Article; Noun - proper - masculine singularH7497 giant

2 Samuel 21:21

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
and when he tauntedוַיְחָרֵ֖ףway·ḥā·rêp̄Conjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH2778 reproach
Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êlNoun - proper - masculine singularH3478 Israel
Jonathanיְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ןyə·hō·w·nā·ṯānNoun - proper - masculine singularH3083 Jehonathan
the sonבֶּן־ben-Noun - masculine singular constructH1121 son
of David’sדָוִֽד׃ḏā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
brotherאֲחִ֥י’ă·ḥîNoun - masculine singular constructH251 brother
Shimeiשִׁמְעִיšim·ʿīNoun - proper - masculine singularH8096 Shimi
killed himוַיַּכֵּ֙הוּ֙way·yak·kê·hūConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular; third person masculine singularH5221 smite

2 Samuel 21:22

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
So theseאֵ֛לֶּה’êl·lehPronoun - common pluralH428 these
fourאַרְבַּ֥עַת’ar·ba·‘aṯNumber - masculine singular constructH702 four
descendantsיֻלְּד֥וּyul·lə·ḏūVerb - QalPass - Perfect - third person common pluralH3205 bear, bring forth, beget
of Raphaלְהָרָפָ֖הlə·hā·rā·p̄āhPreposition-l, Article; Noun - proper - masculine singularH7497 giant
in Gathבְּגַ֑תbə·ḡaṯPreposition-b; Noun - proper - feminine singularH1661 wine-press
fellוַיִּפְּל֥וּway·yip·pə·lūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH5307 fall, lie
at the handsבְיַד־ḇə·yaḏ-Preposition-b; Noun - feminine singular constructH3027 hand
of Davidדָּוִ֖דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
and his servantsעֲבָדָֽיו׃פ‘ă·ḇā·ḏāwNoun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singularH5650 slave, servant

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

2 Samuel 21:15 Joshua 14:10–11 · 2 Samuel 5:25 · 2 Samuel 5:17 · 2 Samuel 5:22 · Psalm 71:9 · Ecclesiastes 12:3

2 Samuel 21:16 2 Samuel 21:20 · 2 Samuel 21:18

2 Samuel 21:17 1 Kings 11:36 · 2 Samuel 18:3 · Psalm 132:17 · 1 Kings 15:4 · 2 Samuel 20:6–10 · 2 Samuel 14:7

2 Samuel 21:18 1 Chronicles 11:29 · 2 Samuel 21:20 · 2 Samuel 21:16 · 1 Chronicles 27:11

2 Samuel 21:19 1 Chronicles 20:5 · 1 Chronicles 11:26 · 1 Samuel 17:4–11

2 Samuel 21:20 2 Samuel 21:18 · 2 Samuel 21:16

2 Samuel 21:21 1 Samuel 17:25–26 · 1 Samuel 17:36 · 1 Samuel 16:9 · 1 Samuel 17:10

2 Samuel 21:22 1 Chronicles 20:8 · Romans 8:31 · Jeremiah 9:23

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.