Lexical Summary benayim: Interval, space between, middle Original Word: בֵּנַיִם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance champion Dual of beyn; a double interval, i.e. The space between two armies -- + champion. see HEBREW beyn NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina form of bayin, q.v. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Narrative Context The expression בֵּנַיִם (benayim) appears exclusively in 1 Samuel 17:4 and 1 Samuel 17:23, embedded in the description “the man of the between,” rendered “champion” in the Berean Standard Bible. Both references come in the account of David and Goliath set in the Valley of Elah, where Israel and Philistia faced one another in stalled battle lines. Goliath steps forth, literally positioning himself “between” the two armies and issuing his defiant challenge. Ancient Near-Eastern Perspective on Single Combat Ancient armies sometimes resolved conflicts through representative warfare: one warrior fought in place of many, his victory or defeat deciding the fate of an entire force (cf. the duel between Paris and Menelaus in Homer’s Iliad). The term benayim captures this role—standing in the gap as the decisive figure on whom corporate destiny turns. Goliath’s intimidation tactics, elaborate armor, and shouted taunts (1 Samuel 17:8–10) typify such a “between-man.” His appearance also underscores the covenantal ideal that the battle ultimately belongs to the Lord, rather than to military prowess or technology (1 Samuel 17:47). Theological Significance of Representation 1. Corporate identity. Goliath’s challenge—“Choose a man to fight me... if he prevails, we will be your servants” (17:8–9)—presents a stark picture of vicarious representation. The entire Philistine army’s fate rests on a single warrior. Christological Foreshadowing David, a humble shepherd empowered by God, prefigures the ultimate Representative, Jesus Christ, who stands “between” a holy God and fallen humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Where Goliath embodies sin, death, and hostile powers, David anticipates the Messiah who conquers through apparent weakness, confounding human expectations (1 Corinthians 1:27–29). As David’s victory is imputed to Israel, so Christ’s victory over sin and death is imputed to all who believe (Romans 5:18–19). Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Courage rooted in covenant: Leaders can exhort believers to confront cultural “giants” by resting in God’s promises rather than personal resources. Related Biblical Themes – Mediatorship: Job’s yearning for an “umpire between us” (Job 9:33) and the Levitical priesthood both anticipate the representative role perfected in Christ. – Covenant combat: Jonathan’s solitary engagement with the Philistine garrison (1 Samuel 14) likewise illustrates deliverance through a faith-filled individual. – Divine reversal: God frequently elevates unlikely agents—Gideon, Esther, Mary—to demonstrate that salvation is “not by might nor by power” (Zechariah 4:6). Conclusion Benayim, though occurring only twice, crystallizes a profound biblical pattern: deliverance through a divinely appointed representative who stands between opposing forces. In the Valley of Elah it magnifies David’s God-empowered victory; in the grand sweep of redemption it points ahead to the perfect “Man in the middle,” Jesus Christ, whose triumph secures eternal peace for His people. Forms and Transliterations הַבֵּנַ֙יִם֙ הַבֵּנַ֡יִם הבנים hab·bê·na·yim habbeNayim habbênayimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 17:4 HEB: וַיֵּצֵ֤א אִֽישׁ־ הַבֵּנַ֙יִם֙ מִמַּחֲנ֣וֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים INT: came he champion the armies of the Philistines 1 Samuel 17:23 2 Occurrences |
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