2 Samuel 23:29 kjv
Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
2 Samuel 23:29 nkjv
Heleb the son of Baanah (the Netophathite), Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
2 Samuel 23:29 niv
Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,
2 Samuel 23:29 esv
Heleb the son of Baanah of Netophah, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin,
2 Samuel 23:29 nlt
Heled son of Baanah from Netophah;
Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah (in the land of Benjamin);
2 Samuel 23 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 11:30 | Heled the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah.. | Direct parallel, name variation for Heleb. |
| 2 Sam 23:8 | These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that.. | Introduction to David's mighty men list. |
| 2 Sam 23:13 | And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest.. | Exemplifies deeds of the mighty men. |
| 1 Chr 12:8 | And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold.. | Description of other brave men joining David. |
| 1 Chr 12:18 | Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he.. | Exemplifies loyal devotion to David. |
| Prov 20:6 | Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man.. | Emphasizes the value of faithful service. |
| Matt 25:21 | His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou.. | Rewards for faithful service to a master. |
| 1 Cor 15:58 | Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always.. | Encouragement for steadfast labor in the Lord. |
| Neh 11:30 | Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields.. | Mention of Netophah as a settled place. |
| Judg 12:15 | And Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel, and buried.. | Pirathon noted as a location in Ephraim. |
| 1 Sam 22:2 | And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and.. | Diverse backgrounds joining David. |
| Neh 7:26 | The men of Beth-lehem, Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight. | Reference to people from Netophah returning. |
| Ps 101:6 | Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell.. | God's desire for faithful individuals. |
| John 15:13 | Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for.. | Loyalty and devotion demonstrated by mighty men. |
| Rom 12:6 | Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,.. | Diversity of service for God's purposes. |
| Eph 6:10 | Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his.. | Spiritual warfare mirroring physical prowess. |
| 2 Tim 2:3 | Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. | Believers as loyal soldiers for Christ. |
| Heb 11:34 | Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of.. | Faith-filled deeds of strength. |
| Deut 23:3 | An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the.. | Tribe/ethnicity as a common descriptor. |
| Josh 15:60 | Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim, and Rabbah; two cities with.. | Geographical identifiers common in tribal lists. |
2 Samuel 23 verses
2 Samuel 23 29 Meaning
This verse continues the catalog of David's mighty men, identifying two more warriors who served him. It specifically names Heleb, the son of Baanah, who was from Netophah, and Benaiah, who was from Pirathon, signifying their lineage and geographical origin. These individuals were part of the elite company that loyally supported King David throughout his reign, demonstrating skill and valor.
2 Samuel 23 29 Context
2 Samuel chapter 23 recounts David's final inspired words as a psalm (verses 1-7) before transitioning to a comprehensive list of his most formidable warriors (verses 8-39). Verse 29 falls within this extended roster of the "mighty men," providing an accounting of the valiant individuals who served David with extraordinary courage and loyalty, helping establish and maintain his kingdom. These men were not merely soldiers but elite figures whose feats were renowned, embodying the strength and devotion that underpinned David's reign. The immediate context of 2 Samuel 23:29, therefore, is its place within this precise and honorable compilation, listing two more such individuals after detailing the deeds of the 'Three' and the 'Thirty'. The list demonstrates the breadth of support David received from various tribes and regions of Israel, underscoring the unity achieved under his leadership.
2 Samuel 23 29 Word analysis
- Heleb: (חֶלֶב, chelev) In Hebrew, the literal meaning of chelev is "fat," which often connoted the best or choicest part. However, as a proper name here, it might have a different connotative meaning or origin. Notably, in the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 11:30, this name appears as Heled (חֶלֶד, cheled), meaning "life" or "world." This variation is likely a scribal difference or an alternate spelling/name for the same individual, which is common in ancient texts. It signifies one of David's thirty mighty men, demonstrating his recognized prowess.
- the son of Baanah: This phrase identifies Heleb's father, placing him within a recognized lineage. While Baanah himself is not further described as a significant biblical figure here, this patriarchal designation was standard for establishing identity and lineage in ancient Israelite society, underscoring his family connection.
- a Netophathite: (נְטֹפָתִי, nəṭōp̄āṯī) This indicates Heleb's geographical origin. Netophah was a town in Judah, located near Bethlehem, David's hometown (Neh 7:26, Neh 11:30). Being from Netophah would naturally link him, geographically, to the area of David's tribal roots, highlighting a local connection.
- Benaiah: (בְּנָיָהוּ, bənāyâhû) Meaning "Yahweh has built" or "God has built." This was a common name in ancient Israel, expressing faith or hope in God as a builder or sustainer. While a very famous Benaiah (son of Jehoiada) served as David's chief captain (2 Sam 8:18), this is a different individual identified as one of the "thirty" mighty men, distinguishing him from the prominent captain by his place of origin. The name itself speaks to the belief that divine provision or strength contributed to his abilities.
- the Pirathonite: (פִּרְעָתוֹנִי, pirʿăthônî) This specifies Benaiah's origin as Pirathon, a town in the hill country of Ephraim (Judg 12:15). Unlike Netophah's connection to Judah, Pirathon is in the territory of Ephraim, demonstrating the broad, inter-tribal loyalty that characterized David's military support and united the tribes under his kingdom.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite": This grouping clearly defines the individual Heleb through both his paternal lineage and his regional belonging. The precision emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the list and underscores that these warriors were well-identified figures within Israel. The Netophathite designation signifies his origin near David's home territory.
- "Benaiah the Pirathonite": This phrase introduces the second mighty man, Benaiah, whose name carries the meaning of God's building, perhaps subtly indicating the divine hand in his strength or valor. His designation as a Pirathonite highlights that David's loyal military came from diverse regions and tribes of Israel, fostering a sense of national unity in service to the king, chosen by God.
2 Samuel 23 29 Bonus section
The inclusion of individuals from different tribal territories (Heleb from Judah/Netophah and Benaiah from Ephraim/Pirathon) subtly illustrates the broad and inclusive nature of David's kingdom and the unity he brought to the Israelite tribes. These varied geographical markers also underline the historical specificity and meticulous record-keeping embedded in the biblical narrative, providing valuable context for understanding the socio-political landscape of the time. The very act of naming these men immortalized their deeds, underscoring the biblical principle that service and loyalty, even in roles like warriors, are highly valued and remembered within God's purposes. The differences in names between Samuel and Chronicles do not undermine the Bible's accuracy but reflect common textual variants or alternative appellations, which are typical in ancient manuscripts.
2 Samuel 23 29 Commentary
2 Samuel 23:29, though brief, is an integral part of a comprehensive roster of David's mighty men, honoring the brave and loyal warriors who solidified his reign. This verse particularly introduces Heleb from Netophah and Benaiah from Pirathon, highlighting their specific identities through lineage and geographical origin. The careful record of these individuals, even down to subtle name variations like Heleb/Heled across different biblical books, testifies to the value placed on loyalty, service, and courage within God's kingdom. It demonstrates that King David's success was not solitary but built upon the collective strength, diverse origins, and faithful devotion of individuals empowered by God to serve His appointed leader. Their example echoes themes of faithfulness in service to a greater cause and the importance of every member contributing their unique abilities to fulfill God's plan.