2 Samuel 21:22
New International Version
These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

New Living Translation
These four Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them.

English Standard Version
These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

Berean Standard Bible
So these four descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David and his servants.

King James Bible
These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

New King James Version
These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

New American Standard Bible
These four were born to the giant at Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

NASB 1995
These four were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

NASB 1977
These four were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

Legacy Standard Bible
These four were born to the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

Amplified Bible
These four [warriors] were descended from the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hands of David and his servants.

Christian Standard Bible
These four were descended from the giant in Gath and were killed by David and his soldiers.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These four were descended from the giant in Gath and were killed by David and his soldiers.

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

Contemporary English Version
David and his soldiers killed these four men who were descendants of the Rephaim from Gath.

English Revised Version
These four were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath, and David and his men killed them.

Good News Translation
These four were descendants of the giants of Gath, and they were killed by David and his men.

International Standard Version
These four giants, who had been fathered by a giant in Gath, were killed at the hands of David and his servants.

Majority Standard Bible
So these four descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David and his servants.

NET Bible
These four were the descendants of Rapha who lived in Gath; they were killed by David and his soldiers.

New Heart English Bible
These four were descendants of Raphah in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

Webster's Bible Translation
These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

World English Bible
These four were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
these four have been born to the giant in Gath, and they fall by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

Young's Literal Translation
these four have been born to the giant in Gath, and they fall by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

Smith's Literal Translation
Those four were born to Rephah in Oath, and they will fall by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
These four were born of Arapha in Geth, and they fell by the hand of David, and of his servants.

Catholic Public Domain Version
These four men were born of Arapha in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and his servants.

New American Bible
These four were descended from the Rephaim in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his servants.

New Revised Standard Version
These four were descended from the giants in Gath; they fell by the hands of David and his servants.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
These four were born to the giants in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
These four were born to giants in Gath and were delivered into the hand of David and into the hand of his Servants
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
These four were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
These four were born descendants of the giants in Geth, the family of Rapha; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Four Battles Against the Philistines
21and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimei killed him. 22 So these four descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David and his servants.

Cross References
1 Chronicles 20:8
So these descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David and his servants.

1 Samuel 17:4-7
Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height, / and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels, / and he had armor of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. ...

1 Samuel 17:49-51
Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. / Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. / David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

1 Samuel 17:40
And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.

1 Samuel 17:45-47
But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 17:10-11
Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!” / On hearing the words of the Philistine, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and greatly afraid.

1 Samuel 17:26
David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

1 Samuel 17:36-37
Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” / David added, “The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” “Go,” said Saul, “and may the LORD be with you.”

1 Samuel 17:54
David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.

1 Samuel 21:9
The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want, you may take it. For there is no other but this one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

1 Samuel 18:6-7
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Samuel 18:17
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”

1 Samuel 18:25
Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 19:8
When war broke out again, David went out and fought the Philistines and struck them with such a mighty blow that they fled before him.

1 Samuel 23:1-5
Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.” / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” / But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” ...


Treasury of Scripture

These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

four

1 Chronicles 20:8
These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

fell by

Joshua 14:12
Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

Psalm 60:12
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Psalm 108:13
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

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Born David Descendants Descended End Fall Fell Four Gath Giant Giants Hand Hands Offspring Rapha Raphah Rephaim Servants
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Born David Descendants Descended End Fall Fell Four Gath Giant Giants Hand Hands Offspring Rapha Raphah Rephaim Servants
2 Samuel 21
1. The three year Gibeonite famine ceases, by hanging seven of Saul's sons.
10. Rizpah's kindness unto the dead
12. David buries the bones of Saul and Jonathan in his father's tomb
15. Four battles against the Philistines, wherein four men of David slay four giants.














These four
This phrase refers to the four giants mentioned in the preceding verses, who were formidable warriors and descendants of the giants in Gath. The number four often symbolizes completeness in the Bible, suggesting that these giants represented a complete threat that was overcome by David and his men. Historically, the presence of giants in the ancient Near East is supported by various texts and archaeological findings, which describe large warrior clans.

were descendants of Rapha
The term "Rapha" is often associated with the Rephaim, a group of ancient giants mentioned in the Old Testament. The Hebrew root "רָפָא" (rapha) can mean "giant" or "healer," but in this context, it refers to a lineage of giants. This lineage is significant in the biblical narrative as it represents the enduring opposition to God's people, which is ultimately defeated through divine intervention and the faithfulness of God's chosen leaders.

in Gath
Gath was one of the five Philistine city-states and is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a place of conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines. Archaeological excavations at Tell es-Safi, the site identified with ancient Gath, have uncovered evidence of a large and fortified city, supporting its biblical portrayal as a significant Philistine stronghold. Gath's association with giants, including the famous Goliath, underscores its role as a symbol of formidable opposition to Israel.

and they fell
The phrase "they fell" signifies the defeat and death of these giants. In the biblical narrative, the fall of such formidable enemies is often attributed to divine assistance and the courage of God's people. This victory serves as a testament to God's power and faithfulness in delivering His people from seemingly insurmountable foes.

at the hands of David and his servants
This highlights the role of David and his men in achieving victory over the giants. David, as a man after God's own heart, exemplifies faith and reliance on God, qualities that enable him and his servants to triumph over their enemies. The mention of "his servants" emphasizes the collective effort and unity among David's followers, reflecting the importance of community and shared purpose in achieving God's will.

(22) Born to the giant.--They were all descendants of Rapha, but not necessarily all the sons of one man.

Verse 22. - These four were born to the giant; Hebrew, were born to the Raphah; that is, belonged to the race of the Rephaim, who seem to have settled in Gath in large numbers, and to have been a fine race of men. (For their antiquity, see Genesis 14:5.) By the hand of David. Not necessarily in personal conflict, though the Hebrew in ver. 17 would admit of the translation that, with the aid of Abishai, David himself slew Ishbi-benob. But the glory of all that the Gibborim did belonged also to David their king.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So these
אֵ֛לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

four
אַרְבַּ֥עַת (’ar·ba·‘aṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 702: Four

descendants
יֻלְּד֥וּ (yul·lə·ḏū)
Verb - QalPass - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

of Rapha
לְהָרָפָ֖ה (lə·hā·rā·p̄āh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7497: Rephaim -- inhabitants of an area East of the Jordan

in Gath
בְּגַ֑ת (bə·ḡaṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1661: Gath -- 'wine press', a Philistine city

fell
וַיִּפְּל֥וּ (way·yip·pə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

at the hands
בְיַד־ (ḇə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of David
דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

and his servants.
עֲבָדָֽיו׃ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant


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OT History: 2 Samuel 21:22 These four were born to the giant (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 21:21
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