Lexical Summary Cheleb: Heleb Original Word: חֵלֶב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Heleb The same as cheleb; fatness; Cheleb, an Israelite -- Heleb. see HEBREW cheleb NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as cheleb Definition one of David's heroes NASB Translation Heleb (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. חֵ֫לֶב proper name, masculine (Sabean proper name, masculine חֿלבן = the crafty one SabDenkm27. 28) — one of David's heroes 2 Samuel 23:29 (but read חלד(יׅ, see Dr), ᵐ5 Εσθαει, A Αλαφ, ᵐ5L Αλλαν (= חֵלֶד 1 Chronicles 11:30 = חֶלְדַּי 1 Chronicles 27:15). Topical Lexicon IdentityHeleb (חֵלֶב, Strong’s H2460) appears once in the Masoretic text at 2 Samuel 23:29. He is listed among “the Thirty,” the elite cohort of warriors who served King David. In the parallel catalogue in 1 Chronicles 11:30 his name is spelled “Heled,” a common interchange of bet and daleth in Hebrew scribal tradition, but the context and description plainly identify the same man. Heleb is further described as “son of Baanah the Netophathite,” locating his family in Netophah, a small settlement just south-east of Bethlehem (Nehemiah 7:26). Historical Setting The roster of mighty men in 2 Samuel 23 belongs to David’s later years, after the consolidation of his kingdom and establishment of Jerusalem as the capital. The list records those who proved their valor during the turbulent period that stretched from the wilderness years under Saul (1 Samuel 22:1–2) through the Philistine wars and into David’s reign. The inclusion of a Netophathite reflects the loyalty David enjoyed from Judahite villages near Bethlehem, his own hometown (1 Samuel 17:12). Netophah lay in a region repeatedly threatened by Philistine incursions, and its men would have been seasoned in both defensive and offensive campaigns. Role among David’s Mighty Men While Scripture gives no individual exploits for Heleb, membership in “the Thirty” is itself significant. The group functioned as David’s personal guard and as leaders of detachments in battle. Their deeds form the backbone of David’s military success (2 Samuel 8:1–14). By singling out each name, the text honors the corporate nature of God’s deliverance: victory came through a band of faithful servants rather than through David alone. In 2 Samuel 23 the list culminates in a doxology, “The LORD brought about a great victory” (2 Samuel 23:10), underscoring divine enablement behind the courage of men like Heleb. Theological Themes 1. Covenant Loyalty Netophah, though peripheral, supplied warriors devoted to the anointed king. Their fidelity prefigures the covenant solidarity later called “hesed” that believers exhibit toward the Messiah (John 12:26). 2. Collective Remembrance Scripture preserves even the lesser-known names. This affirms God’s intimate knowledge of each servant’s labor (Hebrews 6:10) and encourages believers that obscurity before men does not negate eternal reward. 3. Geographic Breadth of the Kingdom The presence of a Netophathite in the royal guard illustrates the gathering of diverse clans under a unified monarchy, foreshadowing the ingathering of all nations under the greater Son of David (Revelation 7:9–10). Implications for Ministry • Unsung Service: Heleb’s lack of recorded feats invites contemporary servants to labor faithfully without seeking acclaim, trusting God to honor hidden sacrifices (Matthew 6:4). • Local Roots, Kingdom Impact: Though from a small village, Heleb’s service affected the entire nation. Local churches likewise nurture believers whose influence may extend far beyond their immediate context (Acts 13:1–3). • Brotherhood in Arms: “The Thirty” model a band of spiritually disciplined companions who uphold one another in adversity. Pastors and ministry teams gain strength by cultivating similar camaraderie grounded in prayer and shared mission (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12). Summary Heleb son of Baanah stands as a testimony to the value God places on steadfast, though sometimes silent, devotion. His inclusion in the inspired record affirms that every act of faithfulness contributes to the advance of God’s kingdom and will be remembered in the narrative of redemption. Forms and Transliterations חֵ֥לֶב חלב Chelev ḥê·leḇ ḥêleḇLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 23:29 HEB: חֵ֥לֶב בֶּֽן־ בַּעֲנָ֖ה NAS: Heleb the son of Baanah KJV: Heleb the son of Baanah, INT: Heleb the son of Baanah |