2 Samuel 21 18

2 Samuel 21:18 kjv

And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

2 Samuel 21:18 nkjv

Now it happened afterward that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the sons of the giant.

2 Samuel 21:18 niv

In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.

2 Samuel 21:18 esv

After this there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants.

2 Samuel 21:18 nlt

After this, there was another battle against the Philistines at Gob. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, another descendant of the giants.

2 Samuel 21 verses

2 Samuel 21 18 Meaning

This verse records a significant battle detail during the reign of King David, specifying a renewed engagement between the Israelites and the Philistines. It highlights the slaying of Saph, identified as one of the descendants of the giant (Rephaim), by Sibbechai the Hushathite. This event emphasizes the continued struggle against formidable enemies of Israel and YHWH, demonstrating God's ongoing deliverance through His chosen warriors, even in lesser-known encounters not directly involving David.

2 Samuel 21 18 Context

2 Samuel chapter 21 forms part of an appendix to the main narrative of David's reign (2 Sam 9-20), highlighting events that took place after Absalom's rebellion but before the narrative transitions to David's final acts and succession. Verses 15-22 detail four separate engagements between Israel and the Philistines, specifically focusing on Israelite heroes, distinct from David himself, slaying Philistine giants. These accounts underscore the ongoing threat posed by the Philistines even after David's major victories, and reveal the continued presence of the Rephaim, or "sons of the giant," a lineage of unusually large and formidable warriors who were remnants of pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan. Verse 18 is the second of these four giant-slaying accounts, emphasizing that not only David, but also his mighty men were instrumental in securing Israel's deliverance and establishing peace. The historical context indicates that these battles reinforced Israel's territorial security and highlighted the comprehensive nature of God's hand in empowering His people for war.

2 Samuel 21 18 Word analysis

• After this it happened: Signals a temporal continuation, following the events of David's life, specifically previous conflicts or periods of rest.
• there was again a battle: "Again" (עוֹד, ʻōḏ) implies a recurring threat or resurgence of conflict, particularly with the Philistines, who were Israel's persistent enemies throughout this era. The term for "battle" (מִלְחָמָה, milḥāmāh) refers to organized warfare.
• with the Philistines: (פְּלִשְׁתִּים, Pĕlištîm). This identifies the long-standing enemies of Israel, often characterized by their military strength and pagan practices. Their continued presence underscores the ongoing struggle for control of the land promised to Israel.
• at Gob: (בְּגֹב, Bəḡoḇ). A specific location, though its precise geographical identification remains uncertain among scholars. Some suggest it's equivalent to Gezer (mentioned in 1 Chron 20:4) or a nearby region. The specification of location roots the narrative in historical reality.
• then Sibbechai the Hushathite: Sibbechai (סִבְּכַי, Sibbəḵay) is identified as one of David's "mighty men" (listed in 2 Sam 23:27 and 1 Chron 11:29). His designation as "the Hushathite" (הַחֻשָׁתִי, ha-Ḥušāṯî) signifies his ancestral origin from Hushah (1 Chron 27:11). This highlights the role of individual warriors empowered by God, distinct from David, in securing victories.
• killed: (וַיַּךְ, way·yak). A direct, decisive action. The verb denotes a forceful strike leading to death.
• Saph: (אֶת־סַף, ’eṯ-Sap). The name of the giant slain. In 1 Chron 20:4, he is called "Sippai" (סִיפָּֽי, Sippay). This variation is likely due to scribal differences or regional pronunciation of a similar root. Some commentators connect "Saph" (סַף) to words meaning "threshold" or "basin/bowl," which could imply a formidable figure standing as a threshold or an obstacle, or perhaps relates to an object or a specific place. His lineage is the key identifier.
• who was one of the sons of the giant: (מִילִדֵי הָרָפָה, mīlīḏê hā-Rāpāh). This is a crucial phrase. "Sons of the giant" translates literally from Hebrew "offspring of the Rapha" or "Rephaim" (hā-Rāpāh). This refers to a specific, formidable race of ancient inhabitants of Canaan known for their extraordinary size and strength, first mentioned in Genesis 14:5 and frequently associated with giant figures like Goliath. The "the" before "Rapha" often suggests a specific, notorious progenitor or the collective race itself, marking them as a clear, identified adversary to God's people.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "After this it happened that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob": This phrase emphasizes the cyclical nature of conflict with the Philistines and situates this specific engagement chronologically within David's reign. It reminds the audience that securing the land of Israel was an ongoing effort, not a single definitive act.
• "then Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the sons of the giant": This core phrase establishes the direct action, the identity of the slayer (a hero from David's ranks), and the nature of the vanquished (a descendant of a lineage known for its massive stature and resistance to Israel). It showcases that God's power worked through faithful individuals beyond the king himself to confront existential threats. The mention of "sons of the giant" implicitly reinforces YHWH's historical role in dispossessing the Anakim/Rephaim, highlighting that even their last formidable remnants were being eliminated. This served as a polemic against pagan beliefs in the invincibility of their formidable warriors or their gods, showing Israel's God superior.

2 Samuel 21 18 Bonus section

The variations in personal and place names between 2 Samuel 21:18 (Saph at Gob) and its parallel in 1 Chronicles 20:4 (Sippai at Gezer) are a notable textual phenomenon in biblical studies. While some scholars debate textual transmission, many affirm that such differences do not undermine the historical accuracy but reflect different traditions, variant spellings, or geographical flexibility within ancient Israelite record-keeping, possibly referring to the same general conflict in differing detailed reports. The identification of "Saph" (and "Sippai") as one of "the sons of the giant" or "descendants of Rapha" points to the lingering presence of these massive figures who were vestiges of pre-Israelite pagan cultures and perhaps connected to mythologies of super-human strength and divinity. Their eradication, documented in these appendices, symbolically represents the triumph of God's covenant people over all forms of spiritual and physical opposition rooted in ancient defiance against YHWH.

2 Samuel 21 18 Commentary

2 Samuel 21:18 illustrates God's sustained providence over Israel, ensuring victory not just through a mighty king like David, but also through loyal and capable servants such as Sibbechai. This specific incident at Gob against Saph, one of the notorious "sons of the giant" (Rephaim), marks another step in the divinely-ordained process of cleansing the land of its original, formidable inhabitants who represented a spiritual and physical opposition to Israel's God. The fact that the threat re-emerges ("again a battle") and specifically from a giant lineage indicates that the conquest of Canaan, while seemingly completed, required continuous vigilance and divine assistance to overcome persistent pockets of resistance. This verse serves to underscore the completeness of YHWH's promise of the land by demonstrating His faithfulness in removing all obstacles, whether massive individuals or powerful nations, reinforcing the principle that victory is of the Lord, achieved through human instruments.