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.
2 SAMUEL 21:20KJVWhat does 2 Samuel 21:20 mean?
2 Samuel 21:20 describes a battle in the Philistine city of Gath, where an unusually large man fought against Israel. This man is noted for having six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four digits in total—and is identified as a descendant of the giants.
The verse is part of a section recounting Israel’s ongoing conflicts with the Philistines. The writer highlights the extraordinary physical traits of this warrior to emphasize his connection to the "giants" (descendants of Rapha) who were known for their size and strength. The mention of Gath, a Philistine stronghold, and the detailed description of the man’s hands and feet, underline the unusual and intimidating nature of Israel’s enemies during this period.
The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 21:20
- גַּת (Gath, H1661): This is the name of a major Philistine city, often associated with giants like Goliath. Its mention roots the story in a real, historically significant location.
- רָפָה (giant, H7497): This word refers to the "giants" or descendants of Rapha, a group known for their great size. Identifying the man as "born to the giant" connects him to a legendary lineage of formidable opponents.
- שֵׁשׁ (six, H8337) and עֶשְׂרִים (twenty, H6242): The specific numbers highlight the abnormality of the man’s physical features, making his appearance even more remarkable to the original audience.
Why 2 Samuel 21:20 matters
- This verse clears up that the "giants" faced by Israel were not just legendary figures but had real, physical characteristics that set them apart, such as extra fingers and toes.
- The detail about the man’s lineage and physical traits connects this battle to earlier stories of giants in the land, showing a continued struggle against these foes.
- By naming Gath and emphasizing the man’s stature, the verse ties this event to the broader narrative of Israel’s conflicts with the Philistines and their most famous giant, Goliath.