3430. Yishbo Benob

Lexical Summary

Yishbo Benob: Yishbo Benob

Original Word: יִשְׁבּוֹ בְּנֹב
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yishbow b-Nob
Pronunciation: yish-BOH beh-NOHV
Phonetic Spelling: (yish-bo'beh-nobe)
KJV: Ishbi-benob (from the margin)
NASB: Ishbi-benob
Word Origin: [from H3427 (יָשַׁב - inhabitants) and H5011 (נוֹב - Nob), with a pronominal suffix and a preposition interposed]

1. his dwelling (is) in Nob
2. Jishbo-be-Nob, a Philistine

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Ishbi-benob

From yashab and Nob, with a pronominal suffix and a preposition interposed; his dwelling (is) in Nob; Jishbo-be-Nob, a Philistine -- Ishbi-benob (from the margin).

see HEBREW yashab

see HEBREW Nob

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from yashab and Nob
Definition
"his dwelling (is) in Nob," a Philistine
NASB Translation
Ishbi-benob (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

ישׁבו בְנֹב Kt, יִשׁבּי בְנֹב Qr, proper name, masculine a gigantic Philistine 2 Samuel 21:16; but read וַיֵּ˜שְׁבוּ בְנֹב and they dwelt in Gob, and translated to 2 Samuel 21:15 We Dr Bu.

Topical Lexicon

Name and Etymology

Ishbi-benob (יִשְׁבּוֹ בְּנֹב, “his dwelling is in Nob”) designates a Philistine warrior identified with the Rephaim, an ancient race of giants. The added phrase “of Nob” links him—either by origin or stationed post—to the priestly town just north of Jerusalem (1 Samuel 21:1; Nehemiah 11:32).

Biblical Narrative

His single appearance occurs during a renewed Philistine offensive in David’s later reign:

“Now Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, said he would kill David. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him” (2 Samuel 21:16-17).

The episode is framed by four exploits against giant foes (2 Samuel 21:15-22). While David grew weary on the battlefield, Ishbi-benob seized the moment to end the king’s life. Abishai intervened, preserving the covenant line and prompting David’s men to forbid the aging monarch from front-line combat: “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished” (21:17).

Historical Background

1. Period. The conflict belongs to the early tenth century BC, a time when Philistia remained Israel’s chief military rival despite David’s prior victories (2 Samuel 5:17-25).
2. Nob. Once a Levitical city housing the tabernacle (1 Samuel 21), Nob fell to Saul’s wrath (1 Samuel 22:19). Its mention here may indicate Philistine occupation of the ruined site or Ishbi-benob’s association with the region bordering Benjamin and Judah.
3. The Rephaim Tradition. The narrative recalls earlier giant encounters—Anakim in Numbers 13, Og of Bashan in Deuteronomy 3, and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17—underscoring God’s repeated deliverance of His people from intimidating adversaries.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Preservation of the Messianic Line. The near-death of David, the forefather of the Messiah, highlights spiritual opposition to God’s redemptive plan. Yahweh’s providential rescue through Abishai safeguards the “lamp of Israel,” a metaphor anticipating the everlasting kingdom promised in 2 Samuel 7:12-16.
2. The Importance of Covenant Community. David’s loyal warriors exemplify interdependence within God’s people. Even a seasoned king requires brothers-in-arms; by God’s design, no believer stands alone (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
3. Human Limitation and Humble Transition. David’s fatigue signals the mortality of even the greatest saints and the necessity of delegation. Leadership succession, later embodied in Solomon, begins with recognizing personal limits and trusting God to raise new defenders of the faith (Psalm 71:18).

Lessons for Today

• Giants Resurface. Spiritual battles recur; past victories do not exempt believers from fresh assaults. Vigilance and reliance upon God’s power remain imperative (Ephesians 6:10-13).
• Stand in the Gap. Abishai’s swift aid models courageous intervention on behalf of endangered brethren (Galatians 6:1-2).
• Honor the “Lamp.” Protecting the testimony of God’s anointed—ultimately Jesus Christ—should guide ministry priorities (Philippians 1:20).

Cross-References

Genesis 6:4; Deuteronomy 2:10-11; 3:11

Numbers 13:33

1 Samuel 17; 21:1; 22:19

2 Samuel 5:17-25; 21:15-22; 23:18

1 Chronicles 20:4-8

Psalm 18:2; 132:17

Matthew 1:1-17

Summary

Ishbi-benob stands as a fleeting yet telling figure whose threat against David magnifies God’s covenant faithfulness. His downfall through Abishai affirms that no giant, however formidable, can thwart the purpose of the Lord or extinguish the light He has kindled in Israel and fulfilled in Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

בְּנֹ֜ב בנב bə·nōḇ beNo bənōḇ

Englishman's Concordance

2 Samuel 21:16
HEB: (וְיִשְׁבִּ֨י ק) בְּנֹ֜ב אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ בִּילִידֵ֣י
NAS: Then Ishbi-benob, who
KJV: And Ishbibenob, which [was] of the sons
INT: Ishbi-benob who the descendants

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 3430
1 Occurrence

bə·nōḇ — 1 Occ.