1 Chronicles 11 23

1 Chronicles 11:23 kjv

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 11:23 nkjv

And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian's hand there was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.

1 Chronicles 11:23 niv

And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's rod in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.

1 Chronicles 11:23 esv

And he struck down an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. The Egyptian had in his hand a spear like a weaver's beam, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.

1 Chronicles 11:23 nlt

Once, armed only with a club, he killed an Egyptian warrior who was 7 1?2 feet tall and who was armed with a spear as thick as a weaver's beam. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with it.

1 Chronicles 11 verses

1 Chronicles 11 23 Meaning

The verse describes an extraordinary feat by Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, one of David's valiant warriors. It recounts his decisive defeat of an imposing Egyptian warrior, a giant five cubits tall, who wielded a spear as formidable as a weaver's beam. Remarkably, Benaiah approached this heavily armed opponent with only a simple staff, then displayed astonishing skill and courage by disarming the Egyptian, seizing his formidable spear, and ultimately killing him with his own weapon. This deed exemplifies Benaiah's strength, faith, and strategic prowess, showcasing the divine empowerment bestowed upon David's mighty men.

1 Chronicles 11 23 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 11 narrates King David's anointing as king over all Israel in Hebron and the initial conquest of Jerusalem to establish it as his capital. Following these foundational acts, the chapter transitions to list "David's mighty men," a special group of valiant warriors distinguished by extraordinary acts of courage, skill, and loyalty. Benaiah son of Jehoiada is prominently featured as one of these "three mighty ones," or chief warriors. His heroic deeds, including this encounter with the Egyptian, are recounted to underscore the caliber of individuals associated with David's divinely sanctioned reign. This list not only honors these individuals but also highlights the strength and valor that characterized David's kingdom, showcasing God's work through faithful servants to establish and secure His anointed king. The broader context of Chronicles emphasizes the legitimacy of Davidic rule and the importance of those who faithfully served YHWH, especially in the post-exilic period for its audience, reminding them of God's covenant promises and His power manifested through His people.

1 Chronicles 11 23 Word analysis

• And he slew (וַיַּךְ - vayakh): This verb is from the root נָכָה (nakah), meaning "to strike," "smite," "kill," or "defeat." It denotes a decisive and forceful act. In this context, it highlights Benaiah's effectiveness as a warrior, emphasizing his ultimate victory over the formidable opponent.
• the Egyptian (הַמִּצְרִי - ha-mitzri): Refers to a native of Egypt. Egypt historically represented a powerful, often antagonistic, world empire from Israel's perspective. Encountering and defeating an Egyptian champion would have significant symbolic weight, recalling Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Exod 12:41) and signifying God's continued power over the might of nations. This encounter might subtly carry a polemic against the pride and strength of foreign powers compared to the Lord's chosen people.
• a man of great stature (אִישׁ מִדָּה - ish middah, a man of measure, great; גָּדוֹל - gadol): "Stature" refers to physical size or height. "Great" emphasizes his exceptional, perhaps intimidating, dimensions. This phrase immediately brings to mind Goliath (1 Sam 17), presenting a challenge akin to the famous giant defeated by David, positioning Benaiah's feat as equally miraculous and demonstrating his extraordinary courage in facing such an adversary.
• five cubits high (חֲמֵשׁ בָּאַמָּה - hamesh ba'ammah): A specific measurement. A cubit is approximately 18 inches (around 45 cm), making the Egyptian approximately 7.5 feet (2.25 meters) tall. While shorter than Goliath (six cubits and a span, approximately 9.9 feet), this height still designates him as a giant, an exceptionally large and intimidating figure. The precision underscores the literal magnitude of the challenge Benaiah overcame.
• and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam (וַיְהִי בְיַד־הַמִּצְרִי חֲנִית כִּמְנוֹר אֹרְגִים - va-yehi b'yad ha-mitzri chanit kim'nor orgim): A "spear" (chanith) is a long, heavy weapon. A "weaver's beam" (menor orgim) refers to the massive roller or crossbar used in a loom, signifying immense size, weight, and destructive potential. This vivid simile, also used for Goliath's spear (1 Sam 17:7), emphasizes the extraordinary power and formidable nature of the Egyptian's weapon, further contrasting it with Benaiah's simple staff.
• and he went down to him with a staff (וַיֵּרֶד אֵלָיו בַּשָּׁבֶט - vayyered elav ba-shabet): "Went down" implies a descent to face the opponent, suggesting an active and aggressive stance despite the overwhelming disadvantage. "Staff" (shebet) refers to a simple rod or walking stick, commonly used by shepherds (cf. David's staff, 1 Sam 17:40) or for support. Its utter inadequacy as a weapon against a spear like a weaver's beam powerfully highlights Benaiah's unwavering faith and courage, and possibly divine protection.
• and he plucked (וַיַּחַץ - va-yakhats): From the root חָלַץ (halats), meaning "to draw out," "deliver," "disarm," or "pull off." This action describes Benaiah's astonishing feat of agility, strength, and audacity in directly engaging the Egyptian, neutralizing his weapon. It implies a swift, decisive move to strip the giant of his primary means of offense, turning his strength into vulnerability.
• the spear out of the Egyptian's hand (אֶת־הַחֲנִית מִיַּד הַמִּצְרִי - et ha-chanit mi-yad ha-mitzri): This highlights the immediate objective of Benaiah – to take control of the dominant weapon. It signifies the direct disarming of the enemy.
• and slew him with his own spear (וַיַּהַרְגֵהוּ בַּחֲנִיתוֹ - va-yahargehu ba-chanito): The ultimate act of turning the enemy's strength against him. This demonstrates Benaiah's complete triumph and the utter defeat of the Egyptian. Using the opponent's own weapon serves as a profound symbol of the enemy's pride and power being reversed and becoming the instrument of their own destruction, echoing the principle seen in David's defeat of Goliath.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And he slew the Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high...": This opening clause immediately sets the stage by introducing the formidable challenge. It contrasts the implied vulnerability of Benaiah's initial approach with the immense, known power of the adversary, establishing the dramatic odds of the encounter. This specific description is crucial in elevating the heroism of Benaiah.
• "...and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff...": This phrase creates a powerful visual juxtaposition. The image of the enormous, specialized weapon held by the giant warrior directly facing Benaiah with only a rudimentary "staff" profoundly emphasizes the unequal odds and the incredible courage or divine enablement required for such a confrontation. This parallels David confronting Goliath (1 Sam 17) and is a literary device to underscore the divine favor on David's men.
• "...and he plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.": This sequence presents the astonishing reversal. It shows the speed, strength, and skill required for Benaiah not only to disarm a giant but then to effectively wield the enemy's immense weapon to kill him. This symbolizes not just a physical victory, but the spiritual triumph of the Lord's chosen champion, who takes the very symbol of his enemy's might and uses it for their demise, illustrating God's power to use even the instruments of opposition for His purposes.

1 Chronicles 11 23 Bonus section

The Chronicler's inclusion of this specific detailed feat (and others in 1 Chron 11-12) served to encourage the post-exilic community. By highlighting the immense courage and faith of David's mighty men, who achieved victory with unlikely means and against powerful enemies like the Egyptians (a traditional symbol of oppression), the Chronicler aimed to reassure his audience of God's continuing power and faithfulness even in challenging times. This story, like many others in Chronicles, reinforced the idea that God honors and empowers those who serve His anointed. Furthermore, the detailed description of the "weaver's beam" spear and "five cubits high" is not merely for vividness; it emphasizes the magnitude of the challenge overcome, underscoring the extraordinary, perhaps miraculous, nature of the victory. The act of using the enemy's own weapon signifies the ultimate humiliation of the oppressor and the complete triumph of God's champion.

1 Chronicles 11 23 Commentary

1 Chronicles 11:23 details Benaiah's extraordinary valor and skill, underscoring the quality of men surrounding King David. This single combat, echoing David's iconic victory over Goliath, is a testament to the belief that God empowers His chosen servants to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Benaiah's confrontation with a giant Egyptian warrior, who wielded a weapon designed for immense destruction, while Benaiah carried only a staff, highlights themes of disproportionate strength and divine intervention. His audacious act of disarming the giant and using the formidable spear against its original owner showcases not just physical prowess but also strategic brilliance and unwavering faith. The narrative implicitly emphasizes that human strength, however great, is ultimately overcome when pitted against those equipped with courage born of divine purpose. It signifies God's ability to turn the enemy's strengths into their weaknesses, and to achieve victory through what appears humanly insignificant, glorifying Him rather than human might.