1 Chronicles 11:21
New International Version
He was doubly honored above the Three and became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

New Living Translation
Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.

English Standard Version
He was the most renowned of the thirty and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three.

Berean Standard Bible
He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

King James Bible
Of the three, he was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.

New King James Version
Of the three he was more honored than the other two men. Therefore he became their captain. However he did not attain to the first three.

New American Standard Bible
Of the three in the second rank he was the most honored, and he became their commander; however, he did not attain the reputation of the first three.

NASB 1995
Of the three in the second rank he was the most honored and became their commander; however, he did not attain to the first three.

NASB 1977
Of the three in the second rank he was the most honored, and became their commander; however, he did not attain to the first three.

Legacy Standard Bible
Of the three in the second rank he was the most honored and became their commander; however, he did not attain to the first three.

Amplified Bible
Of the three in the second [rank] he was the most honored and became their captain; however, he did not attain to the first three [Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah].

Christian Standard Bible
He was more honored than the Three and became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He was more honored than the Three and became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three.

American Standard Version
Of the three, he was more honorable than the two, and was made their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.

Contemporary English Version
and was more famous than the rest of the Thirty Warriors. He was their commander, but he never became one of the Three Warriors.

English Revised Version
Of the three, he was more honourable than the two and was made their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
although he was honored more than they were. So he became their captain but didn't become a member of the three.

Good News Translation
He was the most famous of "The Thirty" and became their leader, but he was not as famous as "The Three."

International Standard Version
He was more well-known than the Three, but he never attained the stature of the Three.

Majority Standard Bible
He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

NET Bible
From the three he was given double honor and he became their officer, even though he was not one of them.

New Heart English Bible
He was the most illustrious of the Thirty, and he became their leader. However, he did not attain to the Three.

Webster's Bible Translation
Of the three, he was more honorable than the two; for he was their captain: but he attained not to the first three.

World English Bible
Of the three, he was more honorable than the two, and was made their captain; however he wasn’t included in the three.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Of the three he is more honored than the [other] two, and becomes their head; but he has not come to the [first] three.

Young's Literal Translation
Of the three by the two he is honoured, and becometh their head; and unto the first three he hath not come.

Smith's Literal Translation
Of the three, above the two he was honored; and will be to them for chief: and even to the three he came not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And illustrious among the second three, and their captain: but yet he attained not to the first three.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and he was famous among the second three and their leader. Yet truly, he did not reach as far as the first three.

New American Bible
but was twice as famous as any of the Thirty, becoming their leader. However, he did not attain to the Three.

New Revised Standard Version
He was the most renowned of the Thirty, and became their commander; but he did not attain to the Three.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He was more honorable than the thirty men, and he became their chief and fought like thirty men.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he was more honored than the thirty, and he was Chief over them, and was doing battle like thirty men.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Of the three in the second rank he was the most honourable, and was made their captain; howbeit he attained not to the first three.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He was more famous than the two others of the three, and he was chief over them; yet he reached not to the first three.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Mighty Men
20Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. 21He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three. 22And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 23:18-19
Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. / Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

1 Chronicles 27:6
This Benaiah was mighty among the Thirty and was over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

1 Chronicles 11:25
He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David appointed him over his guard.

2 Samuel 23:8-9
These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated,

1 Chronicles 11:10
Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.

1 Chronicles 12:18
Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops.

1 Chronicles 12:38
All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king.

1 Chronicles 19:13
Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

1 Chronicles 20:4
Some time later, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued.

1 Chronicles 26:30
From the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, had charge of the affairs of Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the LORD and for the service of the king.

Matthew 20:26-28
It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— / just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:43-45
But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. / For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 22:26-27
But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.

John 13:14-15
So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.

Acts 1:13
When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.


Treasury of Scripture

Of the three, he was more honorable than the two; for he was their captain: however, he attained not to the first three.

howbeit

Matthew 13:8
But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

1 Corinthians 15:41
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

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Attain Attained Captain Commander Doubly Equal First Head Honorable Honored Honourable Honoured Howbeit However Included Noblest Rank Renowned Second Thirty Three
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Attain Attained Captain Commander Doubly Equal First Head Honorable Honored Honourable Honoured Howbeit However Included Noblest Rank Renowned Second Thirty Three
1 Chronicles 11
1. David Becomes King over All Israel
4. Jerusalem
10. David's Mighty Men














He was doubly honored
This phrase highlights the exceptional recognition given to the individual in question. The Hebrew root for "honored" is "כָּבֵד" (kaved), which conveys a sense of weightiness or glory. In the context of ancient Israel, honor was a significant cultural value, often associated with one's reputation and standing within the community. The doubling of honor suggests an extraordinary level of respect and esteem, indicating that this person achieved a status that was rare and highly esteemed among his peers.

above the Three
The "Three" refers to a select group of David's mighty warriors, known for their exceptional bravery and feats in battle. Historically, these warriors were part of King David's elite military forces, and their exploits are detailed in the surrounding chapters of 1 Chronicles. Being honored above the Three implies surpassing even the most valiant and renowned heroes of the time, which underscores the individual's remarkable achievements and character.

and became their commander
This phrase indicates a transition in leadership and authority. The Hebrew word for "commander" is "שַׂר" (sar), which can mean prince, leader, or chief. In the military context of ancient Israel, becoming a commander was not only a position of authority but also a role that required wisdom, courage, and the ability to inspire and lead others. This appointment signifies trust and confidence in the individual's capabilities to lead even the most elite warriors.

even though he was not included among the Three
This part of the verse highlights a paradoxical situation. Despite not being one of the original Three, the individual achieved a status that allowed him to lead them. This suggests that honor and leadership are not solely based on initial inclusion in a prestigious group but can be earned through personal merit, valor, and divine favor. It serves as an inspirational reminder that one's current position does not limit future potential and that God can elevate individuals beyond human expectations.

(21) Of the three, he was more honourable than the two.--The Hebrew text here varies from Samuel, which has "Above (or out of) the three, was he not honoured? n The reading of Chronicles seems to be an exegetical alteration of this, and should probably be rendered, "Above the three of the second rank he was honoured," i.e., he was the most honoured member of the second triad. So the Vulg., et inter tres secun-dos inclitus. The LXX. has ??? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ("Of the three, renowned above the two"). But the Hebrew expression, which means literally, "in the two," seems plainly to indicate a second group of three. Otherwise, we might translate: "Of the three he was honoured among the two," that is, above the other two members of his triad. Both here and in 1Chronicles 11:20 the Syriac reads thirty instead of three: "Above the thirty he was honoured, and he became chief over them and warlike; the thirty he used to make" (1Chronicles 11:21). The Arabic is more correct: "And he was mightier than the two, and chief over them twain, and he came not to the three."

Howbeit he attained not . . .--Literally, but to the three he came not, i.e., the first triad of warriors (1Chronicles 11:11-14).

Verse 21. - Than the two. The Hebrew (בַשְׁנַיִס) cannot be thus translated, but possibly the words may mark the second set of three.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Among
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the thirty
הַשְּׁלוֹשָׁ֤ה (haš·šə·lō·wō·šāh)
Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

he was most
בַשְּׁנַ֙יִם֙ (ḇaš·šə·na·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Number - md
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

honored,
נִכְבָּ֔ד (niḵ·bāḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

and he became
וַיְהִ֥י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

their commander,
לְשָׂ֑ר (lə·śār)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

even though he was not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

included
בָֽא׃ (ḇā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

among the Three.
הַשְּׁלוֹשָׁ֖ה (haš·šə·lō·wō·šāh)
Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 11:21 Of the three he was more honorable (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 11:20
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