2 Samuel 21:22 kjv
These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
2 Samuel 21:22 nkjv
These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
2 Samuel 21:22 niv
These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
2 Samuel 21:22 esv
These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
2 Samuel 21:22 nlt
These four Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them.
2 Samuel 21 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 21:16-21 | And Ishbi-Benob... then Sibbecai... and Elhanan... another giant man... | Details of the four giants mentioned immediately prior. |
| 1 Chr 20:4-8 | Now it happened afterward that war broke out at Gezer... these were born to the giant in Gath... | Parallel account in Chronicles listing the same giant killings. |
| Num 13:33 | There we saw the Nephilim... and we were like grasshoppers... | Spies' report on Anakites (a type of giant) as a daunting foe in Canaan. |
| Deu 2:10-11 | The Emim formerly dwelt there, a people great and numerous... Rephaim also were regarded as Rephaim... | Historical mention of Emim, linking them to Rephaim. |
| Deu 2:20-21 | (That was also regarded as a land of giants; giants formerly dwelt in it...) | Mention of Zamzumim, also considered Rephaim, cleared from the land. |
| Jos 11:21-22 | At that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the mountains... only some were left in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. | Joshua's initial clearing of Anakim, remnants persisted in Philistine cities, including Gath. |
| 1 Sam 17:4 | And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath... | Goliath, the most famous Philistine giant, also from Gath. |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's... | David's declaration that God gives the victory. |
| Psa 18:29 | For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. | David's testimony of divine empowerment for military feats. |
| Psa 144:1 | Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— | David acknowledges God's enablement for physical combat. |
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. | Emphasis on trusting in God's name, not human strength. |
| Zec 4:6 | ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. | God's work is achieved by His Spirit, not human ability. |
| Heb 11:32-34 | ...David... subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. | David, a hero of faith, achieved victories through divine power. |
| Gen 6:4 | There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward... | Biblical reference to the Nephilim, ancient mighty ones. |
| 1 Sam 5:8 | ...they sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines to them, and said, "What shall we do with the ark...?" And they answered, "Let the ark... be carried to Gath." | Shows Gath as a key Philistine city with strong leadership. |
| 1 Sam 27:1-7 | Then David said to himself, "...I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines... and David came to Achish at Gath." | David's period of exile and complex dealings with Gath. |
| Eph 6:10-12 | Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord... for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers... | Analogy of spiritual warfare against powerful unseen forces. |
| Rom 8:37 | Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. | Believer's ultimate victory through Christ, even against great odds. |
| Php 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. | Personal empowerment by Christ for overcoming challenges. |
| Col 2:15 | Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. | Christ's ultimate victory over spiritual "giants" on the cross. |
| 1 Cor 15:54-57 | ...Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." ...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Ultimate victory over death, the greatest enemy. |
| Rev 20:10 | The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone... forever and ever. | Depiction of the final and ultimate defeat of spiritual evil. |
2 Samuel 21 verses
2 Samuel 21 22 Meaning
This verse serves as a conclusive summary, identifying the origin of the four powerful giant warriors previously mentioned in the chapter. It states that these four formidable individuals were direct descendants of "the Rapha" (a specific progenitor or family of the ancient Rephaim) and were situated in the Philistine city of Gath. Crucially, it declares their ultimate demise, having "fallen" by the concerted efforts under the leadership of King David and the bravery of his loyal servants (his mighty men), emphasizing the complete and decisive nature of their defeat.
2 Samuel 21 22 Context
This verse concludes a narrative section (2 Samuel 21:15-22) recounting several significant battles between David's forces and Philistine giants during David's later reign. These encounters occur after a three-year famine that plagued Israel, an issue related to King Saul's past transgression against the Gibeonites. The giant killings serve to demonstrate God's continued support for David and Israel in securing the land from formidable enemies, reinforcing the legitimacy and divine backing of David's kingdom. Historically, the Philistines, originating likely from the Aegean region, had settled on Canaan's coast and frequently clashed with Israel. Gath was a major Philistine city-state, known as a stronghold and a breeding ground for mighty warriors, including Goliath. The mention of "Rephaim" refers to an ancient race of pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan, often described as people of extraordinary size, symbolizing deeply entrenched and ancient opposition to God's people.
2 Samuel 21 22 Word analysis
- These four: (אֵ֣לֶּה אַרְבַּ֩עַת֩ / 'elleh 'arba'at) A summary reference to the specific giants detailed in 2 Sam 21:16, 18, 19, and 20, confirming their collective defeat.
- were born: (יֻלְּד֗וּ / yullĕdū) Passive form of 'yalad' (to bear/bring forth). Emphasizes their origin and lineage rather than an action they performed. It highlights a common, unique heritage.
- to the Rephaim: (לְהָרָפָא / ləhārāp̄ā') Translates "to the Rapha." 'Rapha' here is likely a proper noun for the specific ancestral line of these giants, indicating a family or clan. 'Rephaim' is the broader term for an ancient race of large, powerful individuals, remnants of whom lingered in Canaan. Their mention denotes extreme, almost legendary strength.
- in Gath: (בְּגַ֣ת / bĕGath) One of the five major Philistine cities, Goliath's hometown, and a center of Philistine power. Its association with these giants reinforces its reputation as a place of formidable warriors and a constant threat to Israel.
- and they fell: (וַיִּפְּל֥וּ / wayyippĕlū) From 'naphal' (to fall). Conveys death in battle, emphasizing the decisive overthrow and permanent elimination of these powerful foes.
- by the hand of David: (בְּיַד־דָּוִ֖ד / bĕyad-dāwid) 'Yad' signifies power or agency. Attributes overall command and leadership of these victories to David, though he personally killed only one (Ishbi-Benob in v.17, although Abishai intervened), and his men killed the others. It acknowledges his central role in securing Israel's triumph.
- and by the hand of his servants: (וּבְיַד־עֲבָדָֽיו / ūḇĕyad-'ăḇādāw) Refers specifically to David's mighty men, his elite warriors mentioned elsewhere for their valor (e.g., 2 Sam 23). This acknowledges their crucial individual contributions in directly confronting and defeating these giants under David's leadership.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "These four... in Gath": Establishes the specific subjects, their extraordinary ancestry (Rephaim), and their stronghold (Gath). This grouping presents a consolidated, formidable, and geographically specific threat that symbolizes a deep-rooted opposition to God's people.
- "were born to the Rephaim... and they fell": This juxtaposition powerfully contrasts the giants' impressive, ancient lineage and fearsome reputation with their ultimate, decisive defeat. It underscores the theme of divine power overcoming seemingly insurmountable human (or super-human) strength. The natural descent from mighty ancestry does not guarantee success against the Lord and His chosen instruments.
- "by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants": This phrase assigns agency for the victory. It highlights King David's supreme authority and military prowess, along with the valor and indispensable role of his elite forces. This unified command and collaborative effort are portrayed as instruments of God's overarching plan for Israel's security.
2 Samuel 21 22 Bonus section
The defeat of these giants, remnants of the Rephaim in Gath, carries a subtle polemic against the strength of the Philistines and potentially their deities. In other ancient Near Eastern cultures, figures of extraordinary stature or primeval strength often carried mythical or even divine connotations. The clear and decisive defeat of "the Rapha" by Israelite warriors under Yahweh's blessing diminishes any perception of their inherent or divine power, asserting the singular supremacy of the God of Israel over all perceived mighty forces. Furthermore, this victory is not just a military conquest but serves as a continued fulfillment of God's command to clear the land of the Canaanite inhabitants, even their lingering giant remnants, thereby ensuring the security and holiness of Israel's territory. This triumph over powerful, evil forces foreshadows the ultimate spiritual victory over sin, death, and the demonic powers that humanity faces, which is fully realized in the triumph of Jesus Christ.
2 Samuel 21 22 Commentary
2 Samuel 21:22 acts as a powerful capstone to a series of critical encounters, validating God's continued support for King David and the nation of Israel even into the later stages of David's reign. By specifically identifying the vanquished as "born to the Rephaim in Gath," the text not only confirms their intimidating physical stature but also links them to an ancient lineage of formidable opponents that God's people were destined to overcome since Joshua's conquest. Their defeat "by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants" illustrates a fundamental truth: no matter how formidable the foe, how deeply entrenched their power, or how ancient their lineage, God's plan and covenant promises for His people will prevail through His chosen leaders and their loyal associates. It's a testament to the divine enablement for seemingly insurmountable battles. This verse offers encouragement that deep-seated challenges can be overcome through faithful leadership and collective effort empowered by God.