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1 Chronicles 20:5

20:4 And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued. arose: or, continued: Heb. stood Gezer: or, Gob the giant: or, Rapha
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. Jair: called also, Iaare-ore-gim.2.Sam.21.19

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Again there was war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

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.

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.

20:6 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. great: Heb. a man of measure the son: Heb. born to the giants, or, Rapha

What does 1 Chronicles 20:5 mean?

1 Chronicles 20:5 is a verse in the book of 1 Chronicles, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh), פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy), אֶלְחָנָן (ʼElchânân). It connects to 8 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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And
there
was
warמִלְחָמָהmilchâmâh/mil-khaw-maw'/H4421a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
again
with
the
Philistines;פְּלִשְׁתִּיPᵉlishtîy/pel-ish-tee'/H6430a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
and
ElhananאֶלְחָנָןʼElchânân/el-khaw-nawn'/H445Elchanan, an Israelite
the
sonבֵּןbên/bane/H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
of
JairיָעוּרYâʻûwr/yaw-oor'/H3265Jaur, an Israelite
slewנָכָהnâkâh/naw-kaw'/H5221to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
LahmiלַחְמִיLachmîy/lakh-mee'/H3902Lachmi, an Israelite; or rather probably a brief form
the
brotherאָחʼâch/awkh/H251a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father))
of
GoliathגׇּלְיַתGolyath/gol-yath'/H1555Goljath, a Philistine
the
Gittite,גִּתִּיGittîy/ghit-tee'/H1663a Gittite or inhabitant of Gath
whose
spearחֲנִיתchănîyth/khan-eeth'/H2595a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)
staffעֵץʻêts/ates/H6086a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
was
like
a
weaver'sאָרַגʼârag/aw-rag'/H707to plait or weave
beam.מָנוֹרmânôwr/maw-nore'/H4500a yoke (properly, for plowing), i.e. the frame of aloom
Jair:
called
also,
Iaare-ore-gim..Sam..

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 20:5

HENRY_FULL · 1 Chronicles 20:4–8
4 And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued. 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. 6 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. 7 But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him. 8 These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants. The Philistines were nearly subdued ( ch. xviii. 1 ); but, as in the destruction of the Canaanites by Joshua the sons of Anak were last subdued ( Josh. xi. 21 ), so here in the conquest of the Philistines the giants of Gath were last brought down. In the conflicts between grace and corruption there are some sins which, like these giants, keep their ground a great while and are not mastered without much difficulty and a long struggle: but judgment will be brought forth unto victory at last. Observe, 1. We never read of giants among the Israelites as we do of the giants among the Philistines-giants of Gath, but not giants of Jerusalem. The growth of God's plants is in usefulness, not in bulk. Those who covet to have cubits added to their stature do not consider that it will but make then more unwieldy. In the balance of the sanctuary David far outweighs Goliath. 2. The servants of David, though men of ordinary stature, were too hard for the giants of Gath in every encounter, because they had God on their side, who takes pleasure in abasing lofty looks, and mortifying the giants that are in the earth, as he did of old by the deluge, though they were men of renown. Never let the church's friends be disheartened by the power and pride of the church's enemies. We need not fear great men against us while we have the great God for us. What will a finger more on each hand do, or a toe more on each foot, in contest with Omnipotence? 3. These giants defied Israel ( v. 7 ) and were thus made to pay for their insolence. None are more visibly marked for ruin that those who reproach God and his Israel. God will do great things rather than suffer the enemy to behave themselves proudly, Deut. xxxii. 27 . The victories of the Son of David, like those of David himself, are gradual. We see not yet all things put under him; but it will be seen shortly: and death itself, the last enemy, like these giants, will be triumphed over.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

2 Samuel 6:1

Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

2 Kings 23:1

And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 12:14

These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand. one: or, one that was least could resist an hundred, and the greatest a thousand

1 Chronicles 12:20

As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.

1 Chronicles 12:32

And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

2 Chronicles 29:20

Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 34:29

Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34:30

And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. great: Heb. from great even to small

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 1 Chronicles 20:5.

Exodus 13:17

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

Genesis 10:21

Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.

Genesis 10:25

And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan. Peleg: that is Division

Frequently asked questions

What does 1 Chronicles 20:5 say?

1 Chronicles 20:5 (King James Version) reads: "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. Jair: called also, Iaare-ore-gim.2.Sam.21.19"

Is 1 Chronicles 20:5 in the Old or New Testament?

1 Chronicles 20:5 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 1 Chronicles.

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As you read 1 Chronicles 20:5, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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