2 Samuel 23:20
New International Version
Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.

New Living Translation
There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it.

English Standard Version
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.

Berean Standard Bible
And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.

King James Bible
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:

New King James Version
Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day.

New American Standard Bible
Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done great deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day.

NASB 1995
Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day.

NASB 1977
Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, mighty in deeds, struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day.

Amplified Bible
Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many notable acts, killed two [famous] warriors of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day.

Christian Standard Bible
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.

American Standard Version
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he slew the two sons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Benaiya, son of Yuyada, the Warrior and mighty man of the army from Qabtsayel, whose works were beautiful deeds and he killed two mighty men of the Moabites and he went down and he killed a lion inside the forest on a day of snow

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Banaeas the son of Jodae, he was abundant in mighty deeds, from Cabeseel, and he smote the two sons of Ariel of Moab: and he went down and smote a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day.

Contemporary English Version
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a brave man from Kabzeel who did some amazing things. He killed two of Moab's best fighters, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Banaias the son of Joiada a most valiant man, of great deeds, of Cabseel: he slew the two lions of Moab, and he went down, and slew a lion in the midst of a pit, in the time of snow.

English Revised Version
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he slew the two sons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was from Kabzeel and was a brave man who did many things. He killed two distinguished soldiers from Moab. He also went into a pit and killed a lion on the day it snowed.

Good News Translation
Benaiah son of Jehoiada from Kabzeel was another famous soldier; he did many brave deeds, including killing two great Moabite warriors. He once went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.

International Standard Version
Jehoiada's son Benaiah, who was a valiant man, accomplished great things. He was from Kabzeel. He killed two men named Ariel from Moab and then he also went down into a pit and struck down a lion during a snow storm one day.

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he smote the two altar-hearths of Moab; he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow;

Literal Standard Version
And Benaiah son of Jehoiada (son of a man of valor, great in deeds from Kabzeel), has struck two lion-like men of Moab, and he has gone down and struck the lion in the midst of the pit in a day of snow.

Majority Standard Bible
And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.

New American Bible
Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, a valiant man of mighty deeds, from Kabzeel, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. Also, he went down and killed the lion in the cistern on a snowy day.

NET Bible
Benaiah son of Jehoida was a brave warrior from Kabzeel who performed great exploits. He struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in a cistern on a snowy day.

New Revised Standard Version
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant warrior from Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds; he struck down two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.

New Heart English Bible
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, who performed great deeds. He killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lion-like men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:

World English Bible
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit in a time of snow.

Young's Literal Translation
And Benaiah son of Jehoiada (son of a man of valour, great in deeds from Kabzeel), he hath smitten two lion-like men of Moab, and he hath gone down and smitten the lion in the midst of the pit in a day of snow.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Mighty Men
19Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three. 20And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. 21He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.…

Cross References
Joshua 15:21
These were the southernmost cities of the tribe of Judah in the Negev toward the border of Edom: Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,

2 Samuel 8:18
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David's sons were priestly leaders.

2 Samuel 20:23
Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;

2 Samuel 23:19
Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

2 Samuel 23:21
He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.

2 Samuel 23:22
These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name alongside the three mighty men.

1 Chronicles 11:22
And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.


Treasury of Scripture

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lion like men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the middle of a pit in time of snow:

Benaiah

2 Samuel 8:18
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

2 Samuel 20:23
Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:

1 Kings 1:8,26,38
But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah…

Kabzeel

Joshua 15:21
And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,

who had dome many acts.

Exodus 15:15
Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

lion-like men [heb] lions of God

2 Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

1 Chronicles 11:22-24
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day…

1 Chronicles 12:8
And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

slew a lion

Judges 14:5,6
Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him…

1 Samuel 17:34-37
And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: …

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Acts Altar-Hearths Ariel Benaiah Deeds Jehoiada Kabzeel Killed Lion Midst Mighty Moab Pit Slew Smote Snow Time Valiant
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Acts Altar-Hearths Ariel Benaiah Deeds Jehoiada Kabzeel Killed Lion Midst Mighty Moab Pit Slew Smote Snow Time Valiant
2 Samuel 23
1. David, in his last words, professes his faith in God's promises
6. The different state of the wicked
8. A catalogue of David's mighty men














(20) Benaiah.--He was the general of the third division of the army (1Chronicles 27:5-6). This probably included the Cherethites and Pelethites, since he was also their commander (2Samuel 8:18; 2Samuel 20:23). In consequence of his faithfulness to Solomon in the rebellion of Adonijah, he was finally made commander-in-chief (1Kings 1:8; 1Kings 1:26; 1Kings 1:32; 1Kings 2:25; 1Kings 2:29-35; 1Kings 4:4). His father Jehoiada is called "a chief priest "in 1Chronicles 27:5, and in 1Chronicles 12:27 mention is made of a "Jehoiada the leader of the Aaronites," who came to David at Hebron, and who may have been the same person. . . . Verse 20. - Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. He was a very important person throughout David's reign, being the commander of the body guard' (2 Samuel 8:18), and general of the third brigade of twenty-four thousand men (1 Chronicles 27:5). The meaning of the description given of him there is disputed; but probably it should be translated, "Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the priest, as head," that is, of the brigade. He was thus the son of the Jehoiada who was leader of the house of Aaron, and whose coming to Hebron with three thousand seven hundred martial priests did so much to make David king of all Israel (1 Chronicles 12:27). Subsequently he took the side of Solomon against Adonijah, and was rewarded by being made commander-in-chief, in place of Joab (1 Kings 2:35). Kabzeel. An unidentified place in the south of Judah, on the Edomite border (Joshua 15:21), called Jekabzeel in Nehemiah 11:25. Two lionlike men of Moab. The Septuagint reads, "the two sons of Ariel of Moab." which the Revised Version adopts. "Ariel" means "lion of God," and is a name given to Jerusalem in Isaiah 29:1, 2. The Syriac supports the Authorized Version in understanding by the term "heroes," or "champions;" but the use of poetical language in a prosaic catalogue is so strange that the Septuagint is probably right. If so, Ariel is the proper name of the King of Moab and the achievement took place in the war recorded in 2 Samuel 8:2. A lion. This achievement would be as gratefully remembered as the killing of a man eating tiger by the natives in India. A lion, driven by the cold from the forests, had made its lair in a dry tank near some town, and thence preyed upon the inhabitants as they went in and out of the city. And Benaiah had pity upon them, and came to the rescue, and went down into the pit, and, at the risk of his life, slew the lion.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Benaiah
וּבְנָיָ֨הוּ (ū·ḇə·nā·yā·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1141: Benaiah -- 'Yah has built up', the name of several Israelites

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jehoiada
יְהוֹיָדָ֧ע (yə·hō·w·yā·ḏā‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3077: Jehoiada -- 'the LORD knows', the name of several Israelites

[was] a valiant
חַ֛יִל (ḥa·yil)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

warrior
אִֽישׁ־ (’îš-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

from Kabzeel,
מִֽקַּבְצְאֵ֑ל (miq·qaḇ·ṣə·’êl)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6909: Kabzeel -- 'God gathers', a city in southern Judah

a man of many
רַב־ (raḇ-)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

exploits.
פְּעָלִ֖ים (pə·‘ā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6467: Doing, deed, work

[He]
ה֣וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

struck down
הִכָּ֗ה (hik·kāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

two
שְׁנֵ֤י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

champions
אֲרִאֵל֙ (’ă·ri·’êl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 739: Ariel -- 'lioness of El', an Israelite name, also a man of Moab

of Moab,
מוֹאָ֔ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

and on a snowy
הַשָּֽׁלֶג׃ (haš·šā·leḡ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7950: Snow

day
בְּי֥וֹם (bə·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

he
וְ֠הוּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

went down
יָרַ֞ד (yā·raḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

into
בְּת֥וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

a pit
הַבֹּ֖אר (hab·bōr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well

and killed
וְהִכָּ֧ה (wə·hik·kāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

a lion.
הָאֲרִ֛י (hā·’ă·rî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion


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OT History: 2 Samuel 23:20 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the son (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 23:19
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