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1 Chronicles 20:6

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. Jair: called also, Iaare-ore-gim.2.Sam.21.19
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

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There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand, and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant.

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.

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.

20:7 But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him. defied: or, reproached Shimea: called Shammah

What does 1 Chronicles 20:6 mean?

1 Chronicles 20:6 is a verse in the book of 1 Chronicles, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh), גַּת (Gath), אִישׁ (ʼîysh). It connects to 15 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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And
yet
again
there
was
warמִלְחָמָהmilchâmâh/mil-khaw-maw'/H4421a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
at
Gath,גַּתGath/gath/H1661Gath, a Philistine city
where
was
a
manאִישׁʼîysh/eesh/H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
of
great
stature,מִדָּהmiddâh/mid-daw'/H4060properly, extension, i.e. height or breadth; also a measure (including its standard); hence a portion (as measured) or a vestment; specifically, tribute (as measured)
whose
fingersאֶצְבַּעʼetsbaʻ/ets-bah'/H676something to sieze with, i.e. a finger; by analogy, a toe
and
toesאֶצְבַּעʼetsbaʻ/ets-bah'/H676something to sieze with, i.e. a finger; by analogy, a toe
were
fourאַרְבַּעʼarbaʻ/ar-bah'/H702four
and
twenty,עֶשְׂרִיםʻesrîym/es-reem'/H6242twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
sixשֵׁשׁshêsh/shaysh/H8337six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth
on
each
hand,
and
sixשֵׁשׁshêsh/shaysh/H8337six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth
on
each
foot:
and
he
also
was
the
sonיָלַדyâlad/yaw-lad'/H3205to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
of
the
giant.רָפָאrâphâʼ/raw-faw'/H7497a giant
great:
Heb.
a
man
of
measure
the
son:
Heb.
born
to
the
giants,
or,
Rapha

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 20:6

CLARKE · whole chapter
own of its king upon his own head, and treats the people of the city with great rigour, 1Chr 20:1-3 . First battle with the Philistines, 1Chr 20:4 . Second battle with the Philistines, 1Chr 20:5 . Third battle with the Philistines, 1Chr 20:6 , 1Chr 20:7 . In these battles three giants are slain, 1Chr 20:8 . Verse 1 After the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle - About the spring of the year; see the note on 2Sam 11:1 . After this verse the parallel place in Samuel relates the whole story of David and Bath-sheba, and the murder of Uriah, which the compiler of these books passes over as he designedly does almost every thing prejudicial to the character of David. All he states is, but David tarried at Jerusalem; and, while he thus tarried, and Joab conducted the war against the Ammonites, the awful transactions above referred to took place. Verse 2 David took the crown of their king - off his head - See 2Sam 12:30 . Precious stones in it - The Targum says, "And there was set in it a precious stone, worth a talent of gold; this was that magnetic stone that supported the woven gold in the air." What does he mean? Verse 3 He brought out the people - See this transaction particularly explained in the notes on the parallel places, 2Sam 12:30-31 (note). Verse 5 Elhanan the son of Jair - See the note on 2Sam 21:19 . The Targum says, "David, the son of Jesse, a pious man, who rose at midnight to sing praises to God, slew Lachmi, the brother of Goliath, the same day on which he slew Goliath the Gittite, whose spear-staff was like a weaver's beam." Verse 6 Fingers and toes were four and twenty - See the note on 2Sam 21:20 . Verse 8 These were born unto the giant in Gath - "These were born להרפא leharapha, to that Rapha in Gath, or to Arapha." So the Vulgate, Septuagint, and Chaldee. The compiler of these books passes by also the incest of Amnon with his sister Tamar, and the rebellion of Absalom, and the awful consequences of all these. These should have preceded the fourth verse. These facts could not be unknown to him, for they were notorious to all; but he saw that they were already amply detailed in books which were accredited among the people, and the relations were such as no friend to piety and humanity could delight to repeat. On these grounds the reader will give him credit for the omission. See on 1Chr 20:1 (note). Introduction
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.

Exodus 18:23

If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

Numbers 4:4

This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:

Numbers 35:2

Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

1 Samuel 31:1

Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. slain: or, wounded

2 Samuel 7:2

That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

1 Kings 12:7

And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

2 Kings 9:15

But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel. Joram: Heb. Jehoram but not in verse sixteen had given: Heb. smote let none: Heb. let no escaper go, etc.

1 Chronicles 6:54

Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.

1 Chronicles 10:7

And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

1 Chronicles 15:2

Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. None: Heb. It is not to carry the ark of God, but for the Levites

2 Chronicles 31:4

Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.

Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Isaiah 37:4

It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left. left: Heb. found

Philemon 1:8

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

Philemon 1:9

Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

Topics

GathGoliathRaphaToe

People & places in this verse

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 1 Chronicles 20:6.

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.

Exodus 36:9

The length of one curtain was twenty and eight cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: the curtains were all of one size.

Genesis 31:41

Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

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. the giant: or, Rapha

Exodus 26:8

The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure.

Exodus 27:16

And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.

Exodus 36:15

The length of one curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain: the eleven curtains were of one size.

Exodus 38:26

A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. every man: Heb. a poll

Frequently asked questions

What does 1 Chronicles 20:6 say?

1 Chronicles 20:6 (King James Version) reads: "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"

Is 1 Chronicles 20:6 in the Old or New Testament?

1 Chronicles 20:6 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 1 Chronicles.

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