2 Samuel 21 20

2 Samuel 21:20 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 21:20 nkjv

Yet again there was 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 born to the giant.

2 Samuel 21:20 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.

2 Samuel 21:20 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.

2 Samuel 21:20 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.

2 Samuel 21 verses

2 Samuel 21 20 Meaning

This verse describes another encounter between Israel and a Philistine giant in Gath. It details the extraordinary physical characteristic of this unnamed giant: having six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, totaling twenty-four digits. Crucially, it identifies him as a descendant of Rapha, placing him within the lineage of the formidable giant-like figures mentioned elsewhere in biblical history. This battle showcases the ongoing challenge posed by these unusual adversaries and the divine assistance given to Israel.

2 Samuel 21 20 Context

2 Samuel chapter 21 transitions from a famine in Israel (a consequence of Saul's breach of covenant with the Gibeonites, which David rectifies) to a series of critical battles against the Philistines. Specifically, verses 15-22 detail four encounters where David's mighty men defeat formidable Philistine warriors, each identified as a descendant of Rapha (Rephaim). These narratives are significant as they highlight God's continued deliverance of Israel from its long-standing enemies. The setting "at Gath" or "at Gob" emphasizes the heartland of Philistine power and the enduring presence of these extraordinary individuals. The battles affirm Israel's victory over perceived supernatural threats and the ongoing fulfillment of God's promise to clear the land.

2 Samuel 21 20 Word analysis

• And there was again a battle: The Hebrew "עוֹד" ('od) meaning "again" or "still," emphasizes the repeated nature of these conflicts. This indicates a persistent challenge, not an isolated incident.
• at Gath: גַּת (Gath), a significant Philistine city, served as a historical stronghold for powerful enemies of Israel, notably the birthplace of Goliath. Its continued mention underscores its importance as a center for these "descendants of Rapha."
• where there was a man of great stature: The Hebrew for "man of great stature" is debated in scholarship based on the Masoretic pointing (אִישׁ מָדֹון, 'ish madon, 'man of contention/strife'), however, the Qere (a marginal reading) and the parallel in 1 Chr 20:6 clearly render it as אִישׁ מִדָּה, 'ish middah, meaning "man of measure" or "man of great stature/height." The ancient versions (Septuagint, Vulgate) also reflect the understanding of a giant. This signifies an individual of exceptionally large physical size, immediately classifying him among the well-known Rephaim.
• who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot: This specific detail of polydactyly (having more than the usual number of digits) is a highly unusual physical trait. While known medically, its inclusion here stresses the extraordinary, almost monstrous, nature of this particular giant. It serves to amplify his otherness and the power required to defeat him.
• twenty-four in number: This precise count emphasizes the symmetrical nature of the anomaly across all four limbs, leaving no ambiguity about the number of digits.
• and he also was descended from Rapha: הָרָפָה (ha-Rapha) refers to the progenitor or family group of the Rephaim, an ancient, tall people frequently associated with giant figures in the biblical text. This lineage marks him as part of a specific group of formidable, supernaturally endowed (or at least unusually large) individuals who opposed Israel. This detail connects him directly to other famous giants in scripture, such as Og and Goliath.

Words-group analysis:

• "And there was again a battle at Gath...": This phrase signifies the continuity of the struggle. It’s not just a one-off skirmish but part of an ongoing divine purpose for Israel to secure their promised land by overcoming such powerful obstacles.
• "a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number...": This highly descriptive phrase immediately paints a vivid picture of a fearsome and almost grotesque adversary. The unusual number of digits adds a layer of exceptionalism to his already giant status, intensifying the perceived threat and the remarkable nature of his defeat.
• "...and he also was descended from Rapha": This concluding phrase firmly places this specific giant within the broader narrative of the Rephaim, providing context for his size and perhaps implying a collective, ongoing challenge posed by this specific lineage to Israel's occupation of Canaan. It grounds his anomaly within a known (to the ancient reader) race of powerful figures.

2 Samuel 21 20 Bonus section

The parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 20:6 provides an additional piece of crucial information, identifying the specific giant in 2 Samuel 21:20: "And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were six on each hand and foot, twenty-four in number; and he also was descended from Rapha. And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David's brother, struck him down." This parallel confirms the description and provides the name of the giant's slayer (Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, not David himself) and the giant's defiant challenge to Israel. The recurring mention of "Gath" throughout these giant narratives underscores its strategic importance as a Philistine stronghold and a key battleground for the conflict between Israel and these descendants of Rapha.

2 Samuel 21 20 Commentary

2 Samuel 21:20 describes one of the final key giant figures encountered by David's men, bringing to a close a series of climactic battles. The focus on this giant's six fingers and six toes on each limb highlights his distinctive and perhaps intimidating physicality. This extraordinary feature, coupled with his "great stature" and lineage from "Rapha," emphasizes the formidable nature of the challenges Israel faced. The ultimate victory of David's men over such a foe, as recounted in the following verses and paralleled in 1 Chronicles, powerfully testifies to God's hand in empowering His people against seemingly overwhelming, even abnormal, adversaries. This passage reinforces the overarching biblical theme that with God, no enemy, regardless of their size or unusual strength, is invincible. It shows God completing the work of clearing the land as promised.