These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

1 CHRONICLES 20:8KJV
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1 Chronicles 20:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 20:8 mean?

1 Chronicles 20:8 says that these men were descendants of the giant from Gath, and they were killed by David and his servants. The verse highlights that the warriors David and his men defeated were not ordinary opponents, but came from a line of giants.

This verse comes at the end of a short account describing battles between Israel and the Philistines. The writer is summarizing that the men David and his followers fought were related to the "giant" (often understood as Goliath’s kin) from the Philistine city of Gath. The focus is on the extraordinary nature of David’s victories, showing that even the most intimidating enemies fell before him and his men.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 20:8

  • גָּדוֹל (gibbor, transliterated as "giant"): This word is often used for "giant" or "mighty one," and here it refers to a specific lineage of unusually large or powerful warriors from Gath. This detail underlines the remarkable nature of David’s victories.
  • גַּת (Gath, transliterated as "Gath"): Gath was a Philistine city known for its giants, most famously Goliath. Mentioning Gath connects these fallen warriors to a notorious enemy stronghold.
  • יָד (yad, transliterated as "hand"): The phrase "by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants" stresses that it was through David and his men’s direct action and strength that these giants were defeated.

Why 1 Chronicles 20:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the enemies David and his men overcame were not just any Philistines, but descendants of legendary giants, making their victory even more significant.
  • The verse ties back to earlier stories about Goliath, reinforcing the idea that David’s leadership continued to bring victory over even the most feared foes.
  • It connects the events to a broader theme in the Bible where God’s people, through faith and courage, overcome seemingly impossible odds.

Where else these words appear

“These” Hebrew H411 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
  • Genesis 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
  • Deuteronomy 4:42 That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:

“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.

“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.