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 21:19KJV
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2 Samuel 21:19 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 21:19 mean?

2 Samuel 21:19 describes a battle at a place called Gob, where a man named Elhanan, from Bethlehem and the son of Jaareoregim, killed the brother of Goliath, who was a Philistine from Gath. The verse notes that the slain man’s spear was as large as a weaver’s beam, emphasizing its size.

This verse is part of a list of heroic deeds by David’s warriors, focusing here on Elhanan’s victory over a formidable Philistine opponent. The setting is a time of repeated conflict between Israel and the Philistines, with the writer highlighting the bravery and skill of Israel’s fighters. The detail about the spear’s size underlines the strength and reputation of the enemy defeated.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 21:19

  • גָּב (Gob, H1359): This is the name of the battlefield, a location not widely known outside these accounts, showing that many battles with the Philistines happened in various places.
  • אֶת־אֲחִי גָּלְיָת (the brother of Goliath, H1555): The Hebrew text as reflected in some manuscripts simply says “Goliath,” but the KJV and some other translations clarify “the brother of Goliath,” likely to avoid confusion with the earlier story of David and Goliath.
  • כְּמָנוֹר אֹרְגִים (like a weaver’s beam, H707, H4500): This phrase describes the thickness of the spear’s shaft, painting a vivid picture of the size and strength of the Philistine warrior Elhanan defeated.

Why 2 Samuel 21:19 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that more than one giant-like Philistine warrior existed, and that David was not the only one to defeat such a foe, highlighting the valor of his men.
  • The mention of “the brother of Goliath” addresses a common confusion with the famous story of David and Goliath, showing that Elhanan’s victory was a separate event.
  • The verse connects to a broader theme in Samuel of God delivering Israel through the courage and faithfulness of individuals beyond just David.

Where else these words appear

“Gob” Hebrew H1359 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Samuel 21:18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

“Elhanan” Hebrew H445 · used in 4 verses

  • 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,
  • 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.

“Bethlehemite” Hebrew H1022 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Samuel 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
  • 1 Samuel 16:18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
  • 1 Samuel 17:58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

“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.
  • 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.
  • 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.