1 Chronicles 11:23
New International Version
And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.

New Living Translation
Once, armed only with a club, he killed an Egyptian warrior who was 7 1 / 2 feet tall and who was armed with a spear as thick as a weaver’s beam. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it.

English Standard Version
And he struck down an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. The Egyptian had in his hand a spear like a weaver’s beam, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.

Berean Standard Bible
He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.

Berean Literal Bible
And he killed an Egyptian, a man of measure five by the cubit, and in the hand of the Egyptian was a spear like a weavers’ beam. And he went down to him with a staff and wrested the spear from the hand of the Egyptian, and he killed him with his own spear.

King James Bible
And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

New King James Version
And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian’s hand there was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.

New American Standard Bible
And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature five cubits tall. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.

NASB 1995
He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature five cubits tall. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.

NASB 1977
And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature five cubits tall. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.

Legacy Standard Bible
He had also struck down an Egyptian, an impressive man, five cubits tall. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.

Amplified Bible
He killed an Egyptian also, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam, and Benaiah went down to him with [only] a staff (rod) and grabbed the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.

Berean Annotated Bible
He also struck down an Egyptian (double straits), a huge man five cubits tall <7 ft 6 in / 229 cm>. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.

Christian Standard Bible
He also killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam, Benaiah went down to him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He also killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam, Benaiah went down to him with a club, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear.

American Standard Version
And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

Contemporary English Version
Another time he killed an Egyptian who was over two meters tall and was armed with a spear. Benaiah only had a club, so he grabbed the spear from the Egyptian and killed him with it.

English Revised Version
And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He killed an eight-foot-tall Egyptian. The Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's beam in his hand. But Benaiah went to him with a club, grabbed the spear away from him, and killed him with it.

Good News Translation
He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man seven and a half feet tall, who was armed with a gigantic spear. Benaiah attacked him with a club, snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with it.

International Standard Version
He also killed a soldier from Egypt of enormous height—five cubits tall. The Egyptian carried a spear comparable in size to a weaver's beam, but Benaiah attacked him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.

NET Bible
He even killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. The Egyptian had a spear as big as the crossbeam of a weaver's loom; Benaiah attacked him with a club. He grabbed the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.

New Heart English Bible
He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, seven feet five inches tall; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and grabbed the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.

World English Bible
He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high. In the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he has struck the man, the Egyptian, a man of [great] measure—five by the cubit—and in the hand of the Egyptian [is] a spear like a weavers’ beam, and he goes down to him with a rod, and violently takes away the spear out of the hand of the Egyptian, and slays him with his own spear.

Berean Literal Bible
And he killed an Egyptian, a man of measure five by the cubit, and in the hand of the Egyptian was a spear like a weavers’ beam. And he went down to him with a staff and wrested the spear from the hand of the Egyptian, and he killed him with his own spear.

Young's Literal Translation
And he hath smitten the man, the Egyptian -- a man of measure, five by the cubit -- and in the hand of the Egyptian is a spear like a beam of weavers, and he goeth down unto him with a rod, and taketh violently away the spear out of the hand of the Egyptian, and slayeth him with his own spear.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he struck the man, the Egyptian, a man of measure, five by the cubit; and in the hand of the Egyptian a spear as the beam of those weaving; and he went down to him with a rod, and he will take by force the spear from the hand of the Egyptian, and he will kill him with his spear.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he slew an Egyptian, whose stature was of five cubits, and who had a spear like a weaver's beam: and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked away the spear, that he held in his hand, and slew him with his own spear.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he struck down an Egyptian man, whose stature was five cubits, and who had a spear like a weaver’s beam. And yet he descended to him with a staff. And he seized the spear that he was holding in his hand. And he killed him with his own spear.

New American Bible
He likewise slew the Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall. The Egyptian carried a spear that was like a weaver’s beam, but Benaiah came against him with a staff; he wrested the spear from the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with that spear.

New Revised Standard Version
And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. The Egyptian had in his hand a spear like a weaver’s beam; but Benaiah went against him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down against him with a staff, and took the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and slew him with his own spear.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he killed a man, a mighty Egyptian man, whose height was five cubits, and in the hand of the Egyptian there was a lance whose point was thick as the beam of a weaver, and he went down upon him with a rod, and he took the spear from the hand of the Egyptian, and he killed him with the spear.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he smote an Egyptian, a wonderful man five cubits high; and in the hand of the Egyptian there was a spear like a weavers' beam; and Banaia went down to him with a staff, and took the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

Additional Translations ...



Context
David's Mighty Men
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. 23He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. 24These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name alongside the three mighty men.…

Cross References
He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall.

1 Samuel 17:4
Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height,

2 Samuel 21:20
And 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,

Numbers 13:33
We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”
Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand,

1 Samuel 17:7
The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. In addition, his shield bearer went before him.

2 Samuel 21:19
Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

1 Samuel 17:45
But David said to the Philistine, “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.
Benaiah went against him with a club,

1 Samuel 17:40
And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.

1 Samuel 17:49
Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

1 Samuel 17:50
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
snatched the spear from his hand,

Colossians 2:15
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Luke 11:21-22
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure. / But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and then he divides up his plunder.

Matthew 12:29
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.

2 Samuel 23:21
He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.

1 Samuel 17:51
David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

Esther 7:10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.
2 Samuel 23:20-23
And 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. / He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. / These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name along with the three mighty men. …


Treasury of Scripture

And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

Deuteronomy 3:11
For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

1 Samuel 17:4
And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

a spear

1 Chronicles 20:5
And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam.

slew him

1 Samuel 17:51
Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

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Beam Club Cubits Egyptian Egyptian's Five Great Hand High Killed Plucked Slew Snatched Spear Staff Stature Tall Weaver's
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Beam Club Cubits Egyptian Egyptian's Five Great Hand High Killed Plucked Slew Snatched Spear Staff Stature Tall Weaver's
1 Chronicles 11
1. David Becomes King over All Israel
4. Jerusalem
10. David's Mighty Men












He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall.

Benaiah faced an exceptionally formidable opponent, standing about seven and a half feet tall. His victory demonstrated the courage and military skill that distinguished him among David’s mighty men.

1Sa 17:4 Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath,…
2Sa 21:20 And there was also a battle at Gath, where there was a man…
Num 13:33 We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak…

Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand,

The Egyptian was heavily armed with a massive spear, underscoring the danger Benaiah faced. His size and weaponry made him a fearsome warrior.

1Sa 17:7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam,…
2Sa 21:19 Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob…
1Sa 17:45 But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me…

Benaiah went against him with a club,

Armed with a simple club, Benaiah confronted the better-equipped Egyptian without retreating. His action revealed unusual boldness and confidence in the Lord’s help.

1Sa 17:40 And David took his staff in his hand,…
1Sa 17:49 Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone,…
1Sa 17:50 Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling…

snatched the spear from his hand,

Benaiah closed the distance, disarmed his opponent, and gained control of the weapon that had given the Egyptian his advantage.

Col 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities,…
Luk 11:21-22 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house,…
Mat 12:29 Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house…

and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.

The Egyptian’s own weapon became the means of his defeat. Benaiah’s victory added to his reputation as one of David’s greatest warriors and showed God’s power to give His servants victory over overwhelming enemies.

2Sa 23:21 He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man.…
1Sa 17:51 David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword…
Est 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Benaiah
A valiant warrior from Kabzeel, known for his bravery and loyalty to King David. He was one of David's mighty men and later became the commander of Solomon's army.

2. The Egyptian
An unnamed giant warrior, described as being five cubits tall (approximately 7.5 feet), who was defeated by Benaiah.

3. The Battle
A confrontation between Benaiah and the Egyptian, showcasing Benaiah's courage and skill in combat.
Teaching Points
Courage in the Face of Giants
Benaiah's encounter with the Egyptian teaches us the importance of courage and faith when facing overwhelming challenges. Just as Benaiah did not back down, we are called to stand firm in our faith.

Using What You Have
Benaiah used a club to defeat a spear-wielding giant, demonstrating resourcefulness and the ability to use what God has given us to overcome obstacles.

God's Empowerment
The account illustrates that God empowers His people to achieve great victories, even when the odds are against them. Trusting in God's strength is crucial for spiritual battles.

Role of Preparation
Benaiah's success was not just due to bravery but also skill and preparation. We must prepare ourselves spiritually through prayer, study, and obedience to God's Word.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 11:23?

2. How does 1 Chronicles 11:23 demonstrate God's power through human bravery and faith?

3. What lessons on courage can we learn from Benaiah's actions in this verse?

4. How does Benaiah's victory connect to other biblical examples of overcoming giants?

5. How can we apply Benaiah's faith and courage in our daily challenges?

6. What does Benaiah's story teach about trusting God in seemingly impossible situations?

7. What does 1 Chronicles 11:23 reveal about the nature of heroism in biblical times?

8. How does the account of Benaiah challenge our understanding of divine intervention?

9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Chronicles 11:23?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 11?


(23) And he slew an Egyptian . . .--Literally, and he it was who smote the Egyptian, a man of measure, five in the cubit. Samuel has only "who (was) a sight;" or "a man to look at" (Heb. margin). The chronicler says why.

Like a weaver's beam.--Not in Samuel. Perhaps due to a recollection of the combat of David and Goliath. (Comp. also 2Samuel 21:19.) Yet the LXX. of 2Samuel 23:21 has "like the beam of a ship's ladder" (????? ?????????); and this may be original.

Went down.--To the combat. (Comp. Latin: descendere in aciem, &c.) The staff (sh?bet) of Benaiah differs from David's (maqq?l, 1Samuel 17:40; 1Samuel 17:43); and the similarity of the two accounts, so far as it extends, is a similarity not of fiction, but of fact.

With a staff.--Rather, the staff, which he happened to carry. . . .

Verse 23. - Five cubits high. This height is not given in the parallel passage; it means seven feet six inches. A spear like a weaver's beam (so 1 Samuel 17:7; 2 Samuel 21:19).

1 Chronicles 11:23 highlights God’s power working through a faithful warrior. Benaiah, armed only with a club, defeats an imposing giant wielding a massive spear. Each detail—from the enemy’s stature to the weapon—magnifies the Lord’s supremacy over human strength. The passage calls readers to courageous faith, confident that God can turn every apparent disadvantage into decisive victory.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He
וְהֽוּא־ (wə·hū-)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

also killed
הִכָּה֩ (hik·kāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

an Egyptian,
הַמִּצְרִ֜י (ham·miṣ·rî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

a huge
אִ֥ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

man
מִדָּ֣ה ׀ (mid·dāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4060: Extension, height, breadth, a measure, a portion, a vestment, tribute

five
חָמֵ֣שׁ (ḥā·mêš)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2568: Five

cubits [tall].
בָּאַמָּ֗ה (bā·’am·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

Although the Egyptian
הַמִּצְרִ֤י (ham·miṣ·rî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

had a spear
חֲנִית֙ (ḥă·nîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2595: A lance

like a weaver’s
אֹרְגִ֔ים (’ō·rə·ḡîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 707: To plait, weave

beam
כִּמְנ֣וֹר (kim·nō·wr)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4500: A yoke, the frame of a, loom

in his hand,
וּבְיַ֨ד (ū·ḇə·yaḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

Benaiah went against
וַיֵּ֥רֶד (way·yê·reḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

him
אֵלָ֖יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

with a club,
בַּשָּׁ֑בֶט (baš·šā·ḇeṭ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe

snatched
וַיִּגְזֹ֤ל (way·yiḡ·zōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1497: To pluck off, to flay, strip, rob

the spear
הַחֲנִית֙ (ha·ḥă·nîṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2595: A lance

from [his]
הַמִּצְרִ֔י (ham·miṣ·rî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

hand,
מִיַּ֣ד (mî·yaḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

and killed [the Egyptian]
וַיַּהַרְגֵ֖הוּ (way·ya·har·ḡê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

with his own spear.
בַּחֲנִיתֽוֹ׃ (ba·ḥă·nî·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2595: A lance


Additonal Resources
1 Chronicles 11:23 Blue Letter Bible
1 Chronicles 11:23 Bible Gateway
1 Chronicles 11:23 Bible.com

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1 Chronicles 11:23 Study Bible
1 Chronicles 11:23 Biblia Paralela
1 Chronicles 11:23 Chinese Bible
1 Chronicles 11:23 French Bible
1 Chronicles 11:23 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Chronicles 11:23 He killed an Egyptian a man (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)

1 Chronicles 11:22
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