Ishbi-Benob

Ishbi-benob (UPDV: "Ishbibenob") is one of the Philistine giants who confronted David late in his reign.

A Son of the Giant

The single notice fixes him by lineage, weaponry, and intent: "and Ishbibenob, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred [shekels] of bronze in weight, he being girded with a new [sword], thought to have slain David" (2Sa 21:16). Three details carry the verse: he stands in a giant's line, his spear-head weighs three hundred shekels of bronze, and his fresh equipment is matched to a deliberate aim — to kill the king. The bracketed [shekels] and [sword] are translator-supplied; the spear-weight and the new gear are in the Hebrew. The encounter belongs to a closing roster of Philistine giant-fighters in the David narrative; the name does not recur.