BibleWord.ai› Bible› 2 Samuel› Chapter 23› Verse 21

2 Samuel 23:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 23:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and had a name among the three.
19Was he not most honorable of the three? therefore he was made their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the [first] three.
20And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he slew the two [sons of] Ariel of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.
21And 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.
22These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men.
23He was more honorable than the thirty, but he attained not to the [first] three. And David set him over his guard.
24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem,
← 2 Samuel 23:202 Samuel 23:22 →
← Full Chapter 23 2 Samuel Overview

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 he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man, etc.] A person of good countenance and shape, very large and tall; in (<131128>1 Chronicles 11:28), he is said to be a man of great stature, and five cubits high, and so wanted a cubit and a span of the height of Goliath, (<091704>1 Samuel 17:4); and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; as large as Goliath’s; for in (<131123>1 Chronicles 11:23), it is said to be like a weaver’s beam, as Goliath’s was, (see Gill on “<091707>1 Samuel 17:7”): and he went down to him with a staff; with a walking staff only, having no other weapon: and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand; and therefore must be a man very nimble and dexterous, as well as bold and…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Pit - Where he put himself under a necessity, either of killing, or being killed. Of snow - When lions are most fierce, both from the sharpness of their appetite in cold seasons, and from want of provisions. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 23:25”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a goodly man: Heb. a man of countenance, or sight, called, Ch1 11:23, a man of great stature slew him: Sa1 17:51; Col 2:15 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 23:23”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification