2 Samuel 23 21

2 Samuel 23:21 kjv

And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but 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.

2 Samuel 23:21 nkjv

And he killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.

2 Samuel 23:21 niv

And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear 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.

2 Samuel 23:21 esv

And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, 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.

2 Samuel 23:21 nlt

Once, armed only with a club, he killed an imposing Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with it.

2 Samuel 23 verses

2 Samuel 23 21 Meaning

2 Samuel 23:21 recounts an extraordinary feat of valor performed by Benaiah, one of King David's mighty men. It describes how Benaiah single-handedly confronted and defeated a formidable Egyptian warrior. Despite the Egyptian being of immense size and armed with a gigantic spear resembling a weaver's beam, Benaiah approached him armed only with a staff. With daring swiftness, he snatched the powerful spear from the Egyptian's grasp and then used that very weapon to slay him. This incident highlights Benaiah's exceptional courage, strength, resourcefulness, and skill, underscoring the formidable nature of David's elite warriors who served under divine favor.

2 Samuel 23 21 Context

2 Samuel chapter 23 begins with David's final inspired words, a reflection on his kingship and God's covenant with him. Following this, the chapter lists his mighty men, recounting specific acts of their exceptional valor that distinguished them. This roster serves to highlight the strength and divine favor upon David's reign, as evidenced by the extraordinary feats of his loyal warriors. Benaiah son of Jehoiada is presented as one of the chief figures, specifically commended in verses 20-23 for three remarkable accomplishments. The account in verse 21 details the first of these (or perhaps the central one in a triplet of heroic deeds), illustrating Benaiah's unparalleled courage and effectiveness in combat against overwhelming odds. This context emphasizes not only Benaiah's individual prowess but also the quality of the military leadership that secured David's kingdom.

2 Samuel 23 21 Word analysis

• And he slew: The Hebrew word is וַיַּךְ (vay·yak), from the root נָכָה (nakah), meaning to strike, smite, or kill. The verb is in the Hifil form, indicating a decisive, active striking action. This immediately establishes Benaiah's offensive and victorious role.
• an Egyptian: הַמִּצְרִי֙ (ham·miṣ·rî). The definite article "the" often used, but here understood as "an" notable Egyptian, possibly highlighting his fame or notoriety as a formidable foe, embodying the historical antagonism Israel often experienced from powerful neighboring nations like Egypt.
• a man of great stature: אִ֣ישׁ מִדָּה֙ (ʾîš mid·dāh), literally "a man of measure." This idiomatic expression denotes exceptional size or height, implying he was a giant or exceptionally large warrior, similar to descriptions of Goliath (1 Sam 17:4). This detail immediately amplifies the challenge and Benaiah's courage.
• had a spear: חֲנִית֙ (ḥanîṯ), the common word for a spear or lance, indicating a significant weapon.
• in his hand, like a weaver's beam: כְּמִנְוָל֙ אֹרְגִ֔ים (kəminwāl ʾōr·ḡîm), literally "like a weaver's beam of weavers." This powerful simile emphasizes the extraordinary size, thickness, and weight of the Egyptian's spear, exactly paralleling the description of Goliath's spear (1 Sam 17:7). A weaver's beam was a large, heavy wooden cylinder, underscoring the formidable nature of the weapon and the warrior wielding it.
• and he went down to him: וַיֵּ֨רֶד אֵלָ֜יו (way·yē·reḏ ʾē·lāw), "and he descended to him" or "went down upon him." This indicates Benaiah's active and decisive movement, charging toward the larger foe rather than waiting or retreating, showcasing his aggressive courage.
• with a staff: בַּשָּׁרִ֑שּׁ (baš·šārîš), from שֵׁבֶט (shevet), meaning a rod, staff, or scepter. This starkly contrasts with the Egyptian's massive spear. It highlights Benaiah's resourcefulness, daring, and potentially starting without a conventional weapon, amplifying the divine empowerment in his victory. It also echoes David's use of a staff (1 Sam 17:40) before facing Goliath.
• and plucked the spear out: וַיִּגְזֹ֣ל אֶת־הַחֲנִית֙ (way·yiḡ·zōl ʾeṯ-ha·ḥa·nîṯ), from the verb גָּזַל (gazal), meaning to snatch away, rob, or tear off. This action is swift, forceful, and strategic. Benaiah disarmed his opponent by seizing the very weapon that was meant to overpower him, demonstrating agility and cunning over brute force.
• and slew him with his own spear: וַיַּהַרְגֵ֙הוּ֙ בַּחֲנִיתֹֽו׃ (way·yahar·ḡê·hū ba·ḥa·nî·ṯōw). The ultimate act of turning the enemy's strength against him. This outcome adds an element of poetic justice and emphasizes Benaiah's complete mastery and triumph.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "an Egyptian, a man of great stature": This pairing immediately sets up the "giant" motif, signifying an enemy who is physically imposing and intimidating, requiring extraordinary prowess or divine intervention to overcome. This opponent represents an archetypal formidable foe, making Benaiah's victory even more impressive.
• "had a spear... like a weaver's beam": This vivid description magnifies the Egyptian's weapon, reinforcing his terrifying strength and size. The parallel to Goliath's spear underscores that Benaiah faced a challenge as severe as that which David himself confronted. It creates a stark contrast for Benaiah's unassuming weapon.
• "and he went down to him with a staff": This phrase paints a picture of courageous initiation. The "going down" suggests directly engaging a formidable foe. The use of a simple "staff" against such a well-armed giant is a striking detail, emphasizing Benaiah's audacious faith or reliance on skill, defying conventional military wisdom.
• "and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear": This entire sequence of actions reveals Benaiah's ingenious strategy and decisive execution. He neutralizes the greatest threat (the spear), then uses it as the instrument of the enemy's defeat. It exemplifies overcoming a superior armed opponent through cleverness, speed, and seizing the opportune moment, turning the tables completely. This act of disarming and then using the captured weapon is a powerful symbolic victory of turning the enemy's strength into their weakness.

2 Samuel 23 21 Bonus section

The specific description of the "man of great stature" and the "weaver's beam" is not accidental. These are literary devices to draw a direct comparison between Benaiah and David, portraying Benaiah as having the same spirit and the same empowering presence of God that enabled David to overcome Goliath. This enhances Benaiah's stature and also subtly highlights the ongoing divine blessing on David's kingdom through his mighty men. Furthermore, this victory against "an Egyptian" can be seen as a microcosm of Israel's larger historical conflicts, where a powerful adversary representing the world's might is overcome by a servant of God with unusual means, symbolizing divine victory over opposition. This act contributes significantly to Benaiah's elevation later as the commander of David's personal bodyguard, the Cherethites and Pelethites, and subsequently, during Solomon's reign, as the commander of the entire army, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to exceptional valor and loyalty.

2 Samuel 23 21 Commentary

2 Samuel 23:21 concisely yet powerfully depicts Benaiah's remarkable bravery and skill. This specific act solidifies his reputation as a warrior par excellence among David's elite forces. The narrative immediately evokes comparison to David's confrontation with Goliath, emphasizing that Benaiah's courage was of the highest order, echoing the faith and reliance on divine aid that marked David himself. The detail of the "weaver's beam" highlights the seemingly impossible odds, contrasting the overwhelming power of the Egyptian's weapon with Benaiah's initial, simple "staff." This disparity in weaponry underscores the concept that victory is not always dependent on superior physical armament, but on daring, ingenuity, and implicitly, divine empowerment. Benaiah's decisive move to "pluck" or "snatch" the spear speaks to his swiftness, strategic thinking, and utter resolve. His triumph by using the Egyptian's own spear delivers a powerful message of poetic justice, demonstrating complete mastery over the foe. This is a story of faith, valor, and the truth that God often works through those who are willing to step forward with limited visible resources against overwhelming threats, empowering them to achieve what appears impossible.