Original Word: עֵצֶן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `etsen
Pronunciation: ets-NEE
Phonetic Spelling: (ay'-tsen)
KJV: Eznite (from the margin)
NASB: Eznite
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to be sharp or strong]

1. a spear

Eznite

From an unused root meaning to be sharp or strong; a spear -- Eznite (from the margin).

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a descriptive title for one of David's men
NASB Translation
Eznite (1).

Definition and Context

עֵצֶן designates “the Eznite,” a gentilic applied to the warrior Adino (2 Samuel 23:8). The term appears nowhere else in Scripture, so its meaning is derived entirely from its setting among the exploits of David’s elite fighters, “the Thirty” and “the Three.”

Occurrence and Textual Considerations

2 Samuel 23:8 (Masoretic Text) reads, “…he was called Adino the Eznite; he lifted up his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time.” The Berean Standard Bible follows a textual tradition that conflates the Hebrew words into the description of the exploit rather than the nickname, but the underlying consonants עֶצְנִי still stand in the Hebrew. A parallel passage, 1 Chronicles 11:11, speaks of “Jashobeam, son of Hachmoni,” who killed three hundred. The divergence shows that very early scribes wrestled with preserving these ancient epithets, yet the sense—David’s warrior single-handedly destroying an overwhelming enemy—remains intact, displaying the reliability of Scripture even when names vary.

Historical Background

David’s reign required a standing corps of seasoned champions. “The Three” formed the inner circle, models of faith-infused valor for all Israel. Adino the Eznite belonged to this cadre. His deed recalls earlier lone-combat heroes such as Samson (Judges 15:15) and anticipates later defenders like Eleazar and Shammah (2 Samuel 23:9-12). The setting is most likely during David’s wilderness campaigns or the early years in Hebron, when small bands of loyalists faced numerically superior foes.

The Character Adino the Eznite

1. Name and Title: The sobriquet “Adino” (“slender,” “delicate”) contrasts sharply with the brutal feat that follows, underscoring the biblical theme that strength is from the LORD, not human physique (1 Samuel 17:45-47).
2. Feat of Arms: With a single spear he felled eight hundred. While some view the figure as hyperbole, Scripture elsewhere records massive single-handed victories (Judges 3:31; 1 Samuel 14:14), teaching that God can magnify a faithful warrior’s impact far beyond natural limits.
3. Example to Israel: His inclusion among the “chief of the officers” fixed his account in Israel’s collective memory, encouraging later generations to trust the covenant God in impossible situations.

Theological Significance

• Divine Empowerment: Adino’s spear becomes an emblem of the LORD’s might channelled through willing servants (Psalm 18:34).
• Covenant Loyalty: By risking his life for the anointed king, he modeled the covenant faithfulness expected of every Israelite—and, by extension, every believer in relation to Christ the Anointed (John 12:26).
• Corporate Edification: His record in 2 Samuel 23, a chapter that closes David’s life, testifies that individual acts of obedience are woven into the larger account of redemption, confirming Romans 15:4: “For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction.”

Lessons for Ministry

1. Spiritual Warfare: Like Adino’s solitary stand, pastoral and missionary labors often feel outnumbered, yet “the weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
2. Perseverance: Eight hundred opponents suggest a drawn-out battle. Ministry likewise demands stamina rooted in divine strength (Colossians 1:29).
3. Recognition of Unsung Service: Adino surfaces only once, then disappears, reminding leaders to honor quiet faithfulness within Christ’s body (Hebrews 6:10).

New Testament Echoes

• Ephesians 6:10-18 draws on the imagery of armed conflict, urging believers to “take up the full armor of God.”
• Hebrews 11 cites unnamed heroes who “became powerful in battle” (verse 34), a description easily encompassing Adino.
• Revelation 19:11-16 pictures the ultimate Warrior-King, Jesus Christ, whose victory all earlier champions foreshadow.

Summary

Though עֵצֶן occurs only once, the title “Eznite” casts a long shadow across biblical theology. Adino’s extraordinary triumph under David prefigures the greater victories of Christ and encourages the church to courageous, Spirit-empowered service until the final battle is won.

הָֽעֶצְנִ֔י העצני hā‘eṣnî hā·‘eṣ·nî haetzNiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts