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2 Samuel 21:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 21:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and Ishbibenob, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred [shekels] of brass in weight, he being girded with a new [sword], thought to have slain David.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and Ishbibenob, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred [shekels] of brass in weight, he being girded with a new [sword], thought to have slain David.
2 Samuel 21:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13and he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son: and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
14And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.
15And the Philistines had war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines. And David waxed faint;
16and Ishbibenob, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred [shekels] of brass in weight, he being girded with a new [sword], thought to have slain David.
17But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the lamp of Israel.
18And it came to pass after this, that there was again war with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbecai the Hushathite slew Saph, who was of the sons of the giant.
19And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob; and Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim the Beth-lehemite slew Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver`s beam.
← 2 Samuel 21:152 Samuel 21:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Ishbibenob, which [was] of the sons of the giant, etc.] Of Goliath, or of a giant, of the race of them: the weight of whose spear [weighed] three hundred [shekels] of brass in weight; which must be understood either of the wood of it, or of the head of it, the flaming point of it, as many interpret it; and if so, it was but half the weight of Goliath’s spear, unless there was any difference of the weight of iron and of brass, (see <091707>1 Samuel 17:7); he being girded with a new [sword]; or rather with a new girdle, as the Targum; and so Jarchi, which might be given him as a mark of honour, or as a token of his having a commission in the army: thought to have slain David; his aim was…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ishbi-benob - A corrupt reading. The whole passage should perhaps run thus: “And David waxed faint. So they halted in Gob (as in 2 Samuel 21:18-19). And there was a man (in Gob) which was of the sons of the giant, etc.” Sons of the giant - The “giant” here 2 Samuel 21:18, 2 Samuel 21:20, 2 Samuel 21:22 is “ha-Raphah,” whence, the “Rephaim” Genesis 14:5; Deuteronomy 2:11. The sons of Ha-raphah, or Rephaim, are different from the “Nephilim,” or Giants Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33. The sons of Anak were not strictly Rephaim, but Nephilim. Three hundred shekels of brass - About eight pounds. Goliath’s spear’s head weighed “six hundred shekels of iron.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:16 a descendant of the giants: Cp. Gen 14:5; Deut 2:10-11, 20-21; 3:11.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“of the sons: Gen 6:4; Num 13:32, Num 13:33; Deu 1:28, Deu 2:10, Deu 2:21, Deu 3:11, Deu 9:2; Sa1 17:4, Sa1 17:5 the giant: or, Rapha, Sa2 21:18, Sa2 21:20 \*marg. Sa2 5:18; Gen 14:5 whose spear: Heb. the staff, or, the head thought: Sa1 17:45-51 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 21:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification