1 Chronicles 20 6

1 Chronicles 20:6 kjv

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.

1 Chronicles 20:6 nkjv

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

1 Chronicles 20:6 niv

In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot?twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha.

1 Chronicles 20:6 esv

And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants.

1 Chronicles 20:6 nlt

In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, they encountered a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all, who was also a descendant of the giants.

1 Chronicles 20 verses

1 Chronicles 20 6 Meaning

This verse describes another battle that occurred at Gath, a major Philistine city, during David's reign. It focuses on a formidable Philistine warrior, explicitly identified as a man of extraordinary size or "great stature." His unusual physical characteristic is highlighted: he possessed six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, totaling twenty-four digits. Crucially, the verse states he "was also the son of the giant," indicating his lineage from the ancient race of giants known as the Rephaim or Anakim, further solidifying his formidable nature as an antagonist to Israel.

1 Chronicles 20 6 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 20 narrates three distinct military campaigns during David's reign, focusing predominantly on his complete triumph over major enemies: the Ammonites and, notably, the Philistines. Verses 4-8 specifically recount four encounters with Philistine giants, likely remnants of the Anakim who had settled in their major cities, particularly Gath (Joshua 11:21-22). These accounts highlight the continued threats to Israel even in David's later reign and, more importantly, God's faithfulness in delivering His people through David's leadership and his mighty men. The chronicler emphasizes the thoroughness of these victories, illustrating that no opposition, no matter how formidable or "gigantic," could ultimately stand against the God of Israel.

1 Chronicles 20 6 Word analysis

• And yet again: (Hebrew: v'ʿod) Indicates a repeated or new occurrence of a previous type of event, underscoring that the Philistine threat, especially from their giants, was recurring and persistent during David's reign, requiring continuous divine intervention.
• war at Gath: (Hebrew: milchamah b'Gath) "Gath" (Gat) was one of the five major Philistine city-states and a known stronghold of the Anakim/Rephaim, making it a symbolic focal point of Israel's formidable enemies. This phrasing signifies that the battles against such strongholds were key to securing Israel's promised land and peace.
• a man of great stature: (Hebrew: 'ish m-dâwn gâdhôl) Literally "a man of great measure" or "great dimensions." This phrase distinctly describes a giant, implying not just physical height but also immense size and strength. It emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the opponent.
• whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: This very specific and unusual physical description (polydactyly – having extra digits) marks this giant as uniquely grotesque and monstrous. The numerical exactness of "four and twenty" and the precise distribution "six on each hand, and six on each foot" serves to amplify his abnormal and formidable appearance, underscoring the remarkable nature of his defeat. Such a description can also subtly suggest an unholy or unnatural lineage.
• and he also was the son of the giant: (Hebrew: wəḡam hu' yalîd hārāfāh) "The son of the giant" or "born of the Rephaim" (hā-rāfāh refers to the ancestral giant race). This critical detail confirms his lineage from the feared aboriginal inhabitants of Canaan, the Rephaim. It explains his "great stature" and distinct abnormality, further legitimizing him as a continuation of the powerful, ancient enemies God commanded Israel to overcome, against whom divine intervention was required.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature": This cluster immediately establishes the context of ongoing conflict in a key enemy territory against a mighty, extraordinary foe, emphasizing the relentless nature of the Philistine opposition and God's consistent victories.
  • "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": This part combines the detailed, unique physical description with his significant ancestral lineage. It highlights the formidable and somewhat monstrous nature of the enemy, grounding his power and peculiarity in his ancient giant heritage, underscoring that David's men were overcoming not just men, but descendants of a notoriously fearsome race.

1 Chronicles 20 6 Bonus section

The Chronicler's specific attention to the defeat of giants throughout 1 Chronicles 20 emphasizes the completeness of David's victory over the enemies of Israel and, by extension, God's comprehensive sovereignty. The Philistine giants were perceived as insurmountable threats, remnants of a feared ancient race, whose existence continued to challenge Israel's dominion over the land promised by God. Their defeat signifies the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to clear the land before His people (Deut 9:1-3). The naming of "Gath" consistently as the location for these battles underscores its historical role as a stronghold for these giants (Josh 11:22; 1 Sam 17:4), highlighting its strategic importance in securing God's covenant land. While 1 Chronicles focuses on the existence and defeat of the giant, the parallel account in 2 Samuel 21:20-21 names Jonathan, David's nephew, as the one who slays this specific giant, connecting the triumph directly to David's royal line and his valiant followers.

1 Chronicles 20 6 Commentary

1 Chronicles 20:6 encapsulates a significant narrative of divine triumph over humanly impossible odds. This verse is part of a series in the chapter highlighting David's eradication of the formidable Philistine giant threat, descendants of the ancient Rephaim. The focus on this specific giant's twenty-four digits amplifies his monstrousness and perceived invincibility, underscoring that such a powerful, physically unique adversary could only be defeated through God's empowering presence with Israel. This account demonstrates God's consistent faithfulness in enabling His chosen people and leaders to dismantle every barrier to His promised dominion. It serves as a reminder that the Lord's strength is made perfect in weakness, and He often uses His servants to achieve what appears impossible, bringing glory to His name.