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.

1 CHRONICLES 20:5KJV
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1 Chronicles 20:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 20:5 mean?

1 Chronicles 20:5 records another battle between Israel and the Philistines, where Elhanan, the son of Jair, killed Lahmi, who was the brother of Goliath from Gath. The verse highlights that Lahmi’s spear was as large as a weaver’s beam, emphasizing his strength and the threat he posed.

This verse is part of a list of Israel’s military victories under King David’s leadership. The chronicler is recounting notable warriors and their deeds, showing that Israel faced repeated conflicts with the Philistines. The mention of Lahmi as Goliath’s brother connects this event to the famous story of David and Goliath, underlining the ongoing struggle with formidable enemies.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 20:5

  • פְּלִשְׁתִּים (P'lishtim, "Philistines"): This word refers to the long-standing enemies of Israel, emphasizing that these battles were part of a larger, ongoing conflict.
  • לַחְמִי (Lachmi, "Lahmi"): Naming Lahmi specifically as Goliath’s brother ties this event to earlier stories and highlights the continued threat from Gath’s warriors.
  • כְּמָנוֹר אֹרְגִים (k'manor orgim, "like a weaver’s beam"): This phrase describes the size of Lahmi’s spear, painting a vivid picture of his might and making clear why his defeat was noteworthy.

Why 1 Chronicles 20:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Goliath had a brother named Lahmi, which helps resolve confusion with similar accounts in other books, such as 2 Samuel 21:19.
  • The chronicler’s focus on the size of Lahmi’s spear underscores the extraordinary nature of Israel’s victories, showing that their warriors overcame not just ordinary enemies but giants.
  • By recording these specific battles and heroes, the passage highlights the ongoing challenges Israel faced and the importance of courageous individuals in securing the nation’s safety.

Where else these words appear

“Elhanan” Hebrew H445 · used in 4 verses

  • 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.
  • 2 Samuel 23:24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
  • 1 Chronicles 11:26 Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

“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 11:23 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.

“Goliath” Hebrew H1555 · used in 6 verses

  • 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.
  • 1 Samuel 17:23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
  • 1 Samuel 22:10 And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

“Gittite” Hebrew H1663 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
  • 2 Samuel 15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
  • 2 Samuel 18:2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.