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 11:23KJVWhat 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.