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2 Samuel 21:22

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 21:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “These four were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

These four were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
2 Samuel 21:22 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
20And there was again war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
21And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David`s brother, slew him.
22These four were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
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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
“These four were born to the giant in Gath, etc.] Not to Goliath, for one of them was his brother, but to some giant or another of that place, for which it was famous; they were all of them of the race of the giants; and so the Septuagint version, they were “the offspring of the giants in Gath, whose family was Repha;” and this Repha, or Arepha, as the Vulgate Latin version, according to Abarbinel, was a woman of the daughters of the giants; the Talmudists f372 make her to be the same with Orpah, (<080104>Ruth 1:4). These giants, it is highly probable, were the descendants of the Anakim which remained in Gath after they were cut off by Joshua in other places, (<061122>Joshua 11:22); and fell…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Four - Not necessarily meaning that they were brothers, but that they were all of the race of the Giant, all Rephaim. The word “four” is omitted in the parallel passage, only the three last being mentioned in that chapter. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on 2 Samuel 21". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/2-samuel-21.html. 1870. StudyLight.org &copy;&#160;2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Born to the giant in Gath - These giants were probably the remains of the sons of Anak, who, tho' long feared, fell at last. Next: 2 Kings (2 Samuel) Chapter 23”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“four: Ch1 20:8 fell by: Jos 14:12; Psa 60:12, Psa 108:13, Psa 118:15; Ecc 9:11; Jer 9:23; Rom 8:31, Rom 8:37 Next: 2 Kings (2 Samuel) Chapter 22”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 21 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification