And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant.

1 CHRONICLES 20:6KJV
Know the Bible

1 Chronicles 20:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 20:6 mean?

1 Chronicles 20:6 describes another battle at Gath, where a man of unusual size fought against Israel; this man had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, totaling twenty-four, and he was also a descendant of the giant. The verse highlights the extraordinary physical traits of this enemy warrior and his connection to a line of giants.

This verse is part of a section where the chronicler recounts Israel’s conflicts with the Philistines, specifically mentioning notable opponents from Gath. The description of the man’s extra fingers and toes sets him apart as remarkable and intimidating, emphasizing the challenges Israel faced. The mention that he was the “son of the giant” links him to earlier figures like Goliath, showing that Israel continued to face formidable foes even after Goliath’s defeat.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 20:6

  • The word for “war” is מִלְחָמָה (milchamah, H4421), which often refers to organized conflict or battle; its use here situates the story within the ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Philistines.
  • “Gath” is גַּת (Gath, H1661), a Philistine city known as the home of giants like Goliath; mentioning Gath signals to the reader that this was a place associated with formidable enemies.
  • “Stature” is מִדָּה (middah, H4060), meaning size or measure; the verse uses it to stress the man’s extraordinary physical presence.
  • The word for “giant” is רָפָא (rapha, H7497), which refers to a group of ancient giants called the Rephaim; this connects the man to a legendary lineage of unusually large warriors.

Why 1 Chronicles 20:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s battles with giants did not end with Goliath; there were other descendants of giants who continued to threaten Israel.
  • The detail about the man’s six fingers and toes underlines his unusual nature, making the victory over him more significant and memorable for the original audience.
  • By linking this enemy to the giants of Gath, the chronicler connects the story to earlier events and reinforces the theme of God’s help in overcoming even the most intimidating foes.

Where else these words appear

“giant” Hebrew H7497 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 14:5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
  • Joshua 13:12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
  • 2 Samuel 21:20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.

“fingers” Hebrew H676 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
  • Leviticus 9:9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:
  • Psalms 144:1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

“Gath” Hebrew H1661 · used in 31 verses

  • Joshua 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
  • 1 Samuel 27:3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.
  • 2 Kings 12:17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.

“stature” Hebrew H4060 · used in 53 verses

  • Exodus 26:2 The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure.
  • Nehemiah 3:21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
  • Ezekiel 40:28 And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;