What Does 2 Samuel 23:22 Mean in the King James?
These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Might is not just a title here; it is made visible in what Benaiah does.
THE MEANING
Your name is more than a label: it gathers the nature made visible through action. Here, Benaiah’s place among the mighty rests beside the deeds that give that title substance.
THE ROOT
גִּבֹּרִים
gibbōrîm
GROWS FROM
גבר
g-b-r
To be strong, prevail, or show oneself mighty.
The word translated “mighty men” grows from a root of prevailing strength. It carries might as something expressed in action, not merely a rank someone holds.
ALSO GROWS
gābar: To prevail or be mighty.
גָּבַר
This verb shows the active force inside the title: might is strength that prevails.
gevurah: Might, strength, or valor.
גְּבוּרָה
This noun makes the same root’s force visible as a quality, linking Benaiah’s deeds to the might for which he is known.
בְּנָיָהוּ
Bənāyāhû
GROWS FROM
בנה
b-n-h
To build or establish; the name is commonly understood as “YHWH has built.”
Benaiah’s name carries the image of building or establishing. Beside the verse’s language of having a name among the mighty, it holds identity and deed together: a name gains substance through what is made visible.
ALSO GROWS
bānâ: To build.
בָּנָה
This verb is the building seed carried in Benaiah’s name.
binyān: A building or structure.
בִּנְיָן
This noun shows how the root’s action can become something established, echoing the verse’s picture of a reputation that stands.
THE PATTERN
A person’s deeds make their nature recognizable.
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.THE THREAD
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.The same Hebrew word translated “mighty men” here is rendered “strong man” in this psalm, describing one whose strength is expressed in movement. It opens Benaiah’s title as demonstrated capacity, not just a place among others.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us