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.

1 CHRONICLES 11:23KJV
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1 Chronicles 11:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 11:23 mean?

1 Chronicles 11:23 describes a heroic act by one of King David’s mighty men, who killed a very tall Egyptian warrior. The Egyptian was armed with a huge spear, but David’s man approached with only a staff, took the spear from the Egyptian, and killed him with it.

This verse is part of a list highlighting the extraordinary deeds of David’s elite warriors. The story shows the courage and skill of these men, emphasizing that they could overcome even the most intimidating enemies. The details about the Egyptian’s size and weapon underline the danger and the impressive nature of the victory.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 11:23

  • "slew" (נָכָה, nākhāh, H5221): This word is often used for striking down or defeating an enemy, showing that the act was decisive and forceful.
  • "stature" (מִדָּה, middāh, H4060): This term refers to physical height or size, highlighting that the Egyptian was exceptionally tall—about seven and a half feet, since five cubits is roughly that height.
  • "weaver's beam" (אֵרֶג, ’ēreg, H707 and מֵנוֹר, mēnōr, H4500): The spear’s shaft is compared to a weaver’s beam, suggesting it was thick and heavy, not a typical weapon but something massive and intimidating.
  • "plucked" (גָּזַל, gāzal, H1497): This word means to snatch or seize, emphasizing the boldness and quickness with which David’s warrior took the weapon from the Egyptian.

Why 1 Chronicles 11:23 matters

  • The verse clears up that David’s warriors were not just ordinary soldiers; they faced and overcame extreme challenges, sometimes with little advantage in weapons or size.
  • The focus on the Egyptian’s height and the massive spear highlights the odds against David’s man, making his victory even more remarkable.
  • This story connects to the wider passage by showing the kinds of feats that earned these men their place among David’s mighty warriors, reinforcing the theme of God’s help and extraordinary bravery in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“beam” Hebrew H4500 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.
  • 2 Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
  • 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.

“weaver's” Hebrew H707 · used in 13 verses

  • Exodus 28:32 And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.
  • Judges 16:13 And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.
  • 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.

“Egyptian” Hebrew H4713 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 12:12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
  • Genesis 39:5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
  • Deuteronomy 23:7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.

“plucked” Hebrew H1497 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 21:25 And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
  • Job 20:19 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;
  • Jeremiah 21:12 O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.