2 Samuel 21:20

And there was yet a battle in 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.

And there was yet a battle {H4421} in Gath {H1661}, where was a man {H376} of great stature {H4067}{H4055}, that had on every hand {H3027} six {H8337} fingers {H676}, and on every foot {H7272} six {H8337} toes {H676}, four {H702} and twenty {H6242} in number {H4557}; and he also was born {H3205} to the giant {H7497}.

There was again war at Gat, where there was a belligerent man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot - twenty-four in all - and he too was a son of the giant.

And there was still another battle at Gath, where there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He too was descended from Rapha,

And 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.

Commentary

2 Samuel 21:20 describes a remarkable encounter during a battle between Israel and the Philistines, highlighting the continued presence of formidable foes even after significant victories like that over Goliath. This verse details a specific giant warrior from Gath, known for his unusual physical characteristic of having six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.

Context

This verse is part of a section in 2 Samuel (chapter 21, verses 15-22) that records a series of battles fought by King David's mighty men against the Philistines. These accounts serve to illustrate God's ongoing deliverance of Israel through the bravery of its warriors, even in David's later years. The setting, Gath, was a prominent Philistine city and the hometown of the famous giant Goliath, underscoring its historical association with formidable adversaries. This account parallels 1 Chronicles 20:6, which also describes this specific giant.

Key Themes

  • The Persistence of Giants and Challenges: Even after David's iconic victory over Goliath, the presence of other giants in Philistine territory signifies that the struggle against Israel's enemies was ongoing. This represents the continuous nature of spiritual and personal battles.
  • Extraordinary Nature of the Foe: The description of the giant's polydactyly (six fingers and six toes) emphasizes his unusual and intimidating physical attributes, making him a truly formidable opponent. This detail underscores the exceptional nature of the challenges faced by David's men.
  • Divine Empowerment of Warriors: While the verse focuses on the giant, the broader context highlights the courage and strength of David's mighty men who, empowered by God, faced and defeated such powerful adversaries.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "born to the giant" in the KJV indicates this man's lineage. The Hebrew word here is likely `raphah` or `rapha` (or a derivative of `Rephaim`), referring to a race of ancient, large people often mentioned in the Old Testament. This suggests he was a descendant of the Rephaim, a formidable group of giants. The KJV's bracketed "great" in "man of [great] stature" is an interpretive addition, though contextually accurate, as the Hebrew simply implies a "man of measure" or "a man of size," clearly referring to his extraordinary height and bulk.

Significance and Application

This account serves as a powerful reminder that even when God has given great victories, new "giants" or significant challenges may arise. The detailed description of this giant's abnormality reinforces the idea that some obstacles may seem uniquely daunting. However, just as David's mighty men faced and overcame this multi-fingered giant, believers today are called to confront their own overwhelming difficulties—whether they be spiritual struggles, personal failings, or external opposition—with faith and reliance on God's strength. It teaches that no foe is too great when God is on your side, and He often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 21:16

    And Ishbibenob, which [was] of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear [weighed] three hundred [shekels] of brass in weight, he being girded with a new [sword], thought to have slain David.

  • 2 Samuel 21:18

    And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which [was] of the sons of the giant.

  • 1 Chronicles 20:6

    And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of [great] stature, whose fingers and toes [were] four and twenty, six [on each hand], and six [on each foot]: and he also was the son of the giant.
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