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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...
Audio Bible



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
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.

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. ...

1 Kings 2:34-35
So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness. / And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place.

1 Kings 2:5-6
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

1 Kings 2:31-33
And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.”

2 Samuel 8:18
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.

2 Samuel 23:8-39
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, / but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead. ...

2 Samuel 21:15-22
Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted. / Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. / But 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.” ...

1 Chronicles 18:17
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.

1 Chronicles 27:5-6
The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division. / This Benaiah was mighty among the Thirty and was over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

1 Chronicles 20:4-8
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. / Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. / 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, ...

1 Chronicles 12:1-2
Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin):

1 Chronicles 12:8-15
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains: / Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third, / Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, ...

1 Chronicles 12:38-40
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. / They spent three days there eating and drinking with David, for their relatives had provided for them. / And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.

Matthew 26:52-54
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. / Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? / But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”


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














And he struck down an Egyptian
This phrase introduces a remarkable feat by Benaiah, one of David's mighty warriors. The term "struck down" in Hebrew is "nakah," which often implies a decisive and powerful action. The mention of an "Egyptian" is significant, as Egypt was historically a powerful nation and often an adversary of Israel. This act symbolizes triumph over formidable foes, reflecting God's empowerment of His people to overcome even the most daunting challenges.

who was five cubits tall
A cubit is approximately 18 inches, making this Egyptian about 7.5 feet tall. This detail emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Benaiah's victory. In the ancient Near East, height was often associated with strength and intimidation, reminiscent of Goliath's description. This narrative echoes the theme that God enables His servants to conquer giants, both literal and metaphorical, through faith and courage.

Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand
The comparison of the spear to a "weaver’s beam" suggests a massive and formidable weapon, underscoring the Egyptian's might and the danger Benaiah faced. In ancient times, a weaver's beam was a large, sturdy piece of equipment, indicating that the spear was not only large but also heavy and potentially unwieldy. This imagery highlights the odds stacked against Benaiah, making his victory all the more miraculous and a testament to divine intervention.

Benaiah went against him with a club
Benaiah's choice of a club, a seemingly inferior weapon compared to the spear, illustrates his bravery and resourcefulness. The Hebrew word for "club" is "shebet," which can also mean rod or staff, often symbolizing authority or discipline. This choice of weaponry signifies that true power lies not in physical might but in the authority and strength given by God. Benaiah's courage to confront the Egyptian with a simple club reflects the biblical principle that God often uses the weak to confound the strong.

He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand
The act of "snatching" the spear demonstrates Benaiah's agility and skill. The Hebrew root "natsal" implies a forceful and decisive action, suggesting divine enablement. This moment of turning the enemy's weapon against him is symbolic of God's ability to turn the plans of the wicked to the advantage of the righteous. It serves as a reminder that God equips His people with the necessary tools to achieve victory, even when it seems improbable.

and killed him with his own spear
This final phrase completes the narrative of triumph. The act of killing the Egyptian with his own spear is a powerful image of poetic justice and divine retribution. It signifies that God can use the very instruments of evil against their wielders, turning threats into testimonies of His power. This victory is a testament to the faith and valor of Benaiah, serving as an inspiration for believers to trust in God's provision and protection in the face of overwhelming odds.

(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).

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


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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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