2 Samuel 2:16

“And they caught everyone his fellow by the head, etc.] By the hair of his head with his hand: and [thrust] his sword in his fellow’s side; which he had in the other; so they fell down together; the twelve on each side, all the twenty four; some think only the twelve on Abner’s side fell; but to me it seems that they all fell dead as one man, since they thrust their swords in each other’s sides: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which [is] in Gibeon; the field of rocks, or of mighty men as strong as rocks, who stood as immovable, and would not give way, but fell and died in the field of battle; the Targum interprets it, the inheritance of the slain.”

“Compare Livy’s history of the battle between the Horatii and Curiatii. This combat, like that, may have been proposed as a means of avoiding the effusion of blood of two nations united by consanguinity, and having a common powerful enemy in the Philistines. Helkath-hazzurim - i. e. “the part, field, or plat Genesis 23:19 of the sharp edges or blades.” This seems, on the whole, the best explanation of this rather obscure name. return to 'Top of Page'”

“By the head - By the hair of the head, which after their manner was of a considerable length. Helkath - kazzurim - Or, the field of rock; that is, of men who stood like rocks unmovable, each one dying upon the spot where he fought. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2:21”

“by the head: Probably by the beard or hair of the head. Plutarch, in his Apophthegms, informs us, that all things being ready for a battle, Alexander's captains asked him whether he had anything else to command them. "Nothing," said he, "but that the Macedonians shave their beards." Parmenio wondering what he meant, "Dost thou not know," said he, "that in fight, there is no better hold than the beard?" Helkathhazzurim: that is, the field of strong men, Sa2 2:16 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2:17”