You have probably heard of the great giant Goliath, but did you know that King David battled many other Philistine giants? According to Scripture, these huge men belonged to a race of titans known as the Raphah. The Book of Samuel preserves each one of these titan’s names. Amazingly, each name has a specific meaning in Hebrew which has a special connection to David himself…
Five Strange Biblical Names
According to 2 Samuel 21, David and his men successfully defeated five Philistine giants. The name of the first, Goliath, comes from the Hebrew word galut (גלות) meaning “exile”. The name of the second, Ishbi-Benob, means “mountain dweller”. The third, Saph (סף), means “threshold”. The fourth, Lahmi, means “warrior”. The fifth is nameless, but he comes from the city of Gath (גת), meaning “winepress”. Fascinatingly, the meanings of these five Hebrew names encapsulate David’s personal history.
The giants in David’s life
At the outset of his career, David was in “exile,” forced to flee Saul. Eventually, David took the throne and moved his capital to Jerusalem, becoming a “dweller on the mountain” known as Zion. Next, he erected the tabernacle, beyond whose “threshold” the Ark was deposited. In the latter half of his life, David was a valiant “warrior” and endured a merciless rebellion by his son Absalom during which he was “pressed” to the limits.
Unlock The Deepest Mysteries of Scripture What at first seems to be an unimportant list of five peculiar giants, turns out to be a fascinating summary of David’s life; his progression from a shepherd to the greatest king of Israel. But if you don’t understand the original Hebrew language of the Bible, this level of meaning is inaccessible. Now is the time to enroll in our live online Biblical Hebrew course and to take your study of Scripture to the next level.
bahmer wrote:
You have probably heard of the great giant Goliath, but did you know that King David battled many other Philistine giants? According to Scripture, these huge men belonged to a race of titans known as the Raphah. The Book of Samuel preserves each one of these titan’s names. Amazingly, each name has a specific meaning in Hebrew which has a special connection to David himself…
Five Strange Biblical Names
According to 2 Samuel 21, David and his men successfully defeated five Philistine giants. The name of the first, Goliath, comes from the Hebrew word galut (גלות) meaning “exile”. The name of the second, Ishbi-Benob, means “mountain dweller”. The third, Saph (סף), means “threshold”. The fourth, Lahmi, means “warrior”. The fifth is nameless, but he comes from the city of Gath (גת), meaning “winepress”. Fascinatingly, the meanings of these five Hebrew names encapsulate David’s personal history.
The giants in David’s life
At the outset of his career, David was in “exile,” forced to flee Saul. Eventually, David took the throne and moved his capital to Jerusalem, becoming a “dweller on the mountain” known as Zion. Next, he erected the tabernacle, beyond whose “threshold” the Ark was deposited. In the latter half of his life, David was a valiant “warrior” and endured a merciless rebellion by his son Absalom during which he was “pressed” to the limits.
Unlock The Deepest Mysteries of Scripture What at first seems to be an unimportant list of five peculiar giants, turns out to be a fascinating summary of David’s life; his progression from a shepherd to the greatest king of Israel. But if you don’t understand the original Hebrew language of the Bible, this level of meaning is inaccessible. Now is the time to enroll in our live online Biblical Hebrew course and to take your study of Scripture to the next level.
You have probably heard of the great giant Goliath... (
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I never made those connections Bahm, thanks for sharing that!
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