Introduction
The Bible mentions five giants that I’d like us to reflect on—both for their significance in their time and for the lessons they offer us today. While not all are explicitly identified as Goliath’s “brothers,” like Lahmi, there are clues suggesting they share the same lineage. The strategies and tactics of the enemy have remained largely unchanged throughout history. Why would they change? Without Jesus, these tactics have often proven effective.
These giants, in my view, still represent the challenges we face in our daily lives—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. They symbolize the struggles we encounter as we learn to live in alignment with God’s will. By examining them, we can better understand how to overcome the battles we face today.
Some of these giants have more details mentioned about them than others. In biblical times, names often carried deep significance, reflecting a person’s character, role, or circumstances. Over time, the name itself came to represent the individual. Much of what I will share about these giants comes from this perspective, drawing on their names’ meanings and broader scriptural principles.
Let us delve into their names, their stories, and the lessons they hold for us today.
1. Goliath
Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:4-11, 16, 23, 41-51
Description: Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stood over 9 feet tall. His imposing armor included a bronze helmet and a coat of mail weighing 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor and carried a javelin whose spearhead alone weighed 15 pounds. For 40 days, morning and evening, Goliath taunted the Israelite army, strutting before them in defiance.
Name Meanings:
Bronze Material: Representing advanced technology and impenetrable protection, underscoring Goliath's status as a powerful warrior.
Bronze Helmet: Similar to Assyrian helmets, symbolizing strength, military prowess, and near invincibility.
Bronze Coat: Designed like fish scales and weighing 125 pounds, it visually and physically intimidated the Israelites.
Spiritual Application
Goliath made sure to stay clearly visible while embodying fear and intimidation. His colossal size, formidable armor, and taunting words were designed to paralyze God's people. For 40 days and nights, his threats echoed, aiming to isolate and demoralize. His strategy, just like during times of exile, was one of separation—calling out for a one-on-one battle—highlighted the enemy's intent to divide and conquer. Leading to the captivity of an entire people group.
This mirrors the challenges we face today: fear of the seemingly insurmountable, relentless doubts, and thoughts that amplify our inadequacies and feelings of lack. The enemy’s tactics are persistent, wave after wave of “what-ifs,” “how's,” and “whys,” designed to make us feel small and powerless.
Just like then what we see and perceive matters. The Israelite army saw only the giant, comparing him to their own limited strength—a perspective Goliath counted on. The real battle was lost in their minds long before the actual battle began. But David’s perspective led him to a different conclusion. He acknowledged Goliath's might yet remained undaunted, recognizing the true issue: this enemy defied the living God.
David’s confidence did not stem from ignorance of the threat but from a deep, personal relationship with God. There are important lessons we must learn when walking with God personally. David had already faced and defeated lions and bears, experiences that taught him that God equips His people for the battles they will face.
When God chose the next king, David’s father did not see him as a legitimate candidate. Yet, the anointing oil would not pour until David arrived, teaching him that God calls and appoints according to His will. Throughout his life, David endured rejection from his family, learning that God’s acceptance was all he truly needed. Their dismissal of him—treating him as unwanted and insignificant—taught David to seek God’s approval above all else.
David also faced accusations of pride and had his motives questioned, which compelled him to trust God’s words over others' judgments. God declared David to have “a heart after His own heart,” affirming David’s faith and character.
Through these trials and his personal experiences with God, David learned to rely on God in every circumstance. The battel that faced him that day was no different. He understood that Goliath was not just opposing him; the giant was challenging God Himself—a battle Goliath was unaware he was fighting. Ultimately, it was a battle Goliath was destined to lose.
Lessons for Us Today
David knew he was God’s beloved, and it was this truth that sealed his victory over the giant! This must be our truth as well. To become the giant slayers we’re called to be, we must cultivate our own intimate relationship with the Lord. Like David, we need personal experiences of God’s faithfulness, moments that anchor us in truth when storms arise. These truths—who God is and who we are in Him—must be cemented in our hearts.
When we build our lives on the rock-solid foundation of a personal relationship with God, we remain unshaken, no matter how fierce the storms. As Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24-27, a house built on the rock withstands the wind and rain.
Although helpful, it’s not enough to rely on the testimonies of others; we must have our own personal stories of God’s faithfulness. We are all created to be His beloved, empowered to demand the heads of every giant that dares to defy our living God. Living a life infused with God’s presence and divine power, no obstacle is too great, and every victory is assured. For when God is for us, who can be against us!
Will you walk closely with your God, allowing His truths to take root in your heart as His beloved? Will you embrace the identity and calling He has placed on your life? Will you confront your giants with the strength of the Lord? Rise up and step into all that God has prepared for you, for you are mighty men and women of the Most High God! Each of us are created to be a modern-day giant slayer.
2. Ishbibenob
Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel 21:16-17
Description: Ishbibenob was a descendant of the giants. His bronze spearhead weighed more than seven pounds, and he carried a new sword. He cornered David and was about to kill him, but Abishai, son of Zeruiah, came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine.
Name Meanings:
Ishbibenob: “He that dwells at Nob.” Other meanings include respiration, conversion, and taking captive.
He that dwells at Nob: Nob was a high place, a city of priests first mentioned in 1 Samuel 21:1. This city provided refuge and sustenance to David when Saul sought to kill him. These priests’ actions represented God’s protection and provision during times of danger. Driven by jealousy, Saul later had these priests killed, leaving the area desolated and abandoned. Their destruction resulted in a void—no established worship or priestly presence remained.
Respiration: Respiration involves an exchange of gases: exhaling what brings death (e.g., carbon dioxide) and inhaling what brings life (e.g., oxygen). In the Bible, breath symbolizes life, God’s presence, and reconciliation. To this point of respiration being exchanged we can see where the enemy would like to exchange our breath of life, God’s presence, and reconciliation with his breath of death that comes against these very things in our walk.
Conversion: Refers to transforming something into a new form or purpose.
Taking Captive: Signifies seizing control over something.
He was armed with a new sword: Represents a fresh, sharp blade, signifying a strong offensive capability and a willingness to engage in combat with full force. Not only was he a giant, but he was equipped with top-tier weaponry.
Spiritual Application:
The “Ishbibenob” Giants targets God’s priests and their roles. His strategy is to destroy and create a void in areas vital to spiritual life, such as:
• Refuge in God
• Sustenance from God
• Protection through God
• Provision by God
• Life itself
• God’s presence
• Reconciliation with God and others
Like the devastation caused at Nob, the enemy’s strategy today is to take God’s priests captive and undermine their identity and functions. When this happens, it leaves a void—both in individual lives and in regions—where God’s presence and abundance should thrive.
Lessons for Us Today:
We must stand against these strategies of the enemy by:
• Refusing to allow desolation or vacancy to take root in our lives or communities. We do this by knowing God and understanding the identity He’s declared over us as His priests.
• Cultivating and guarding environments where worship and God’s presence can flourish. We must learn how to not only worship in Spirit and truth, but also the importance of worship being woven into our everyday lives. One of the weapons of our warfare is worship!
• Actively resisting efforts to displace our priestly roles to hinder God’s work. As God’s children we are living displays and reflections of who He is to the world around us. We must reflect and accurately represent him to the world around us.
Instead of allowing voids, we must create spaces where the movement of God’s people thrives, and His purpose is fulfilled.
3. Saph/Sippai
Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel 21:18, and 1 Chronicles 20:4
Description: Saph was a descendant of the giants. Saph and Sippai are both names for the same person. Scripture doesn’t give a lot of details about him. The biggest point mentioned is that he was killed by Sibbecai the Hushathite. This took place at Gezer around 1050 B.C. Saph is mentioned in 2 Samuel, while Sippai is mentioned in 1 Chronicles.
Name Meaning:
Saph: This name has multiple biblical meanings. It comes from the noun sap. Some of the meanings are threshold, fence keeper, or sill of a house, or it’s outer extreme, the border between two distinct realms. Other meanings include vestibule, doorkeeper, preserver, extension, and orbicular extent.
Sibbecai: The Lord sustains, or Yah intervenes; also means to be intertwined.
Spiritual Application:
The imagery of giants guarding the threshold between distinct realms is a powerful one, especially when seen through the lens of biblical symbolism. It’s fascinating to consider how a giant’s name can reflect its role as a gatekeeper—a force standing at the border of a new place, resisting forward movement. Even more striking is the name of the one who conquers such a giant: a name that signifies “Yah intervenes” and “the Lord sustains.” This depth in God’s design shows how intentional He is in every detail, weaving meaning into both the written and spoken Word.
We see this principle at play in the life of David, particularly during the timeline that coincides with 1 Chronicles 20 when Saph is mentioned. The spirit behind Saph—a gatekeeper resisting forward movement—can manifest in our own lives, often during times when God calls us to step into something new or taking further ground occupied by the enemy. Consider David’s sin with Bathsheba: it occurred during a season when he should have been at war but chose inactivity instead. This illustrates how inactivity can act as a gatekeeper, hindering our forward progress with God. When God calls us to respond, take initiative, and move according to His will, these moments are critical. Yet they are also times when we may be most vulnerable to temptation and distraction.
In my own life, I’ve noticed this pattern. When God calls me into deeper intimacy with Him—into the secret place where He reveals more of Himself—I often feel the resistance of a threshold. This resistance takes many forms: sickness, tiredness, busyness, or distractions born from compromises and rationalizations. These forces pull me toward inactivity, delaying my response to God’s invitation. The gatekeeper of this new realm cannot forcibly prevent me from entering, yet it works subtly, sowing thoughts and movements that keep me stuck. It’s like quicksand, pulling me under while I rationalize delays or let my mind drift to anything but the place God is calling me.
The battle is very real, and it takes place in the mind. Thoughts arise: “I’m too tired,” “I’m not feeling well,” “God understands”—or even, “It’s my responsibility to take care of this other thing first.” These thoughts distract me from the call. They are like smoke, drifting and obscuring the path forward. The war of the mind is where this gatekeeper fights hardest, trying to keep us from stepping into new depths with God.
Lessons for Us Today:
But we have hope. We serve a God who intervenes and sustains. He is El Gibbor, our champion and mighty warrior who fights for us. He never leaves us alone or forsakes us. In our weakest moments, His power is made perfect. He strengthens us, creating within us a steadfastness and determination to press forward. He gives us endurance and a refusal to quit, enabling us to take even small steps toward Him. These steps of discipline become the stones upon which we build altars to God, laying down our lives as living sacrifices. And when we do, God’s fire falls on our offerings.
So be made strong even in your weakness by lifting up your tired hands in prayer and worship. And strengthen your weak knees, for as your keep walking forward on God’s paths all your stumbling ways will be divinely healed! (Hebrews 12:12 TPT)
The promised land of intimacy with God is offered to all of us. The giants that stand at the threshold—the gatekeepers of our minds and circumstances—cannot ultimately prevail. The question is whether we will push through with purposeful hearts, trusting in the God who loves us and calls us deeper. This is the call to possess the land that God has already given us. Hand in hand with Him, we move forward, refusing to let resistance keep us from the new places He has prepared. Will you answer His call?
4. Lahmi
Scripture References: 2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 20:5
Description: Lahmi was a giant whose spear was described as having a handle “as thick as a weaver’s beam.” Historical context suggests that a weaver’s beam was typically 2–2½ inches in diameter and over 5 feet long, emphasizing the extraordinary size and strength of his weapon. Lahmi was ultimately killed by Elhanan, the son of Jair.
Name Meanings:
Lahmi (Hebrew): Meaning "warrior" or "eater." Other interpretations include “my bread” or “my food,” symbolizing sustenance or nourishment, and “my war,” highlighting conflict and struggle.
Elhanan (Hebrew): Meaning “God is gracious” or “whom God has graciously bestowed,” signifying divine favor and grace.
Symbolism of the Spear: The immense size and thickness of Lahmi’s spear symbolize his power and strength in battle. Its unusual dimensions set it apart as a formidable weapon, reinforcing the image of Lahmi as an intimidating adversary.
Spiritual Application
Though not much is written about Lahmi, I can see how his story represents a deeper spiritual lesson. The name “Lahmi” suggests a picture of one who brings war and seeks to devour its prey. This can evoke feelings of vulnerability and exposure, as one might feel when comparing themselves to a powerful enemy.
Just as a fox retreats to its hole for shelter, God’s people are called to seek refuge in Him during times of great stress or crisis. Giants like Lahmi, with their intimidating size and powerful weapons, can lead us to focus on our inadequacies. However, the story reminds us to shift our perspective, comparing our giants not to ourselves, but to the greatness of our God.
In Numbers 14:9, Joshua and Caleb declare that the giants in the Promised Land are not insurmountable; rather, they are "bread" for God’s people. From God’s perspective, the giants are already defeated, and His favor and grace cover His people. Similarly, the giants we face today, no matter how imposing, are opportunities for growth and sustenance.
Elhanan, the giant slayer who defeated Lahmi, symbolizes how God’s divine favor and grace for his people is the source of victory that God provides. The same God who empowered Elhanan is with us today. The giants we encounter—whether they manifest as fears, trials, or challenges—are not meant to devour us. Instead, they are meant to nourish our faith and strengthen our trust in God’s divine provision.
Lessons for Us Today
When faced with giants, what will your response be? Will you see yourself as a mere grasshopper, shrinking back in fear or longing for the comfort of past captivities? Or will you declare, "This is my bread, the sustenance God has given me," and step forward in faith to claim what is already yours?
God is our victory. We serve the God of the impossible. The giants are not threats; they are gifts, given for our growth and nourishment. Let us boldly take hold of what God has provided, trusting in His divine favor and grace to overcome every battle.
5. The unnamed giant with 6 fingers and toes
Scripture References: 2 Samuel 21:20; 1 Chronicles 20:6
Description: This unnamed giant was described as a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, 24 in all. When he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea. The Bible does not give a specific name to this giant. However, some have referred to him as Exadactylus, which is a term meaning “six fingers”.
Name Meanings:
The number six: Signifies “the number of man”. More specifically, it refers to the imperfection of man and the sin and weakness he has.
The number twenty-four: In Christian apocalyptic literature, the number 24 represents the church because it is the sum of the number of tribes of Israel (12) and the Apostles (12). The number 24 can be broken down into components 2, and 4. (2) often signifies duality, such as the physical and spiritual realms. (4) represents completeness, shown by the four corners of the earth or the four seasons. When combined it also relates to completion.
Jonathan: Meaning “God’s gift” or actually “Jehovah has given”
Spiritual Application
The Bible teaches us to be aware of the enemy but to keep our focus on God. Who the giant is and what the giant represents is never as important as who our God is and how we see ourselves wrapped in Him. When sitting with the Lord about this unnamed giant, I was reminded of 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” The slayer of this unnamed giant bears a name meaning “God’s gift.” Truly, Jehovah has provided everything we need for life and godliness. Zechariah 4:6 reminds us that what God calls us to accomplish is not achievable by our own might or power but only by His Spirit.
When we rely on human strength or the trappings of religion, we lack what is necessary to gain or sustain victory in our lives—no matter the giant, its tactics, or its assignments against us. If we stand in our own strength, we will falter. However, when we stand in God’s divine power—given freely to every believer—we approach every challenge from a place of victory. We must stop seeing our battles as “our own.”
Our God is the One who declared victory for us through His life, willingly laid down on the cross. When we join Him in that victory through a personal relationship with Jesus, we already have all we need. The cross doesn’t just save our souls from hell’s fire; it answers every need of body, soul, and spirit. It provides physical healing, soul restoration, deliverance, and makes us whole and complete in every way. He is the God who continues to fight for us on every front. There is no battle He is not sovereign over. He is faithful, trustworthy, and ever-present. He never leaves or forsakes us.
God doesn’t stand at a distance, passively watching us struggle. He is not indifferent to our suffering. In John 16:33, He warned us that we would face trials and suffering in this world, but He also called us to take courage, for He has overcome the world. Notice, just like this giant is unnamed, so are the trials and hard times not listed out. Why? Because every challenge we face has already been conquered through the cross. God doesn’t simply “hope” we’ll make it. We are not isolated in our battles, struggling to reach Him. As Baal-perazim—the God of breakthrough—He knows how to break through and break forth for His beloved children.
When we hide in His shelter, we are completely covered. We are wrapped in His presence where He is as close as breath to us. His mighty right hand upholds us, and He faithfully leads and guides us in every battle—when we have ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts attuned to His. Our God, who did not even spare His own Son, fights for us! What wouldn’t He do for us? He knows just what we need and how to bring forth our breakthrough.
Lessons for Us Today
The perspective we hold of God while facing our giants is crucial. Don’t you see? We are His victory made manifest! We are living, breathing realities of the cross’s triumph. For me, this giant has been a reminder not to face anything in my own strength. Philippians 4:13 declares, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But John 15 is equally clear: apart from Him, we can do nothing and there is only death.
In Conclusion
Regardless of the battles we face, the key is found in the secret place. Let us keep first things first! May it never be said of us that we have forsaken our first love. God is our goal, our greatest treasure, and our eternal reward. Stay hidden in Him, remain connected to Him, and remember that the only true fight we now engage in is receiving all He has already accomplished and freely given.
Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7). Arise, mighty giant slayers, and take your place on the front lines of victory! Our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Bridegroom Himself, is coming for His spotless Bride. Keep your lamps full of oil, fix your gaze on the heavens, for we know where our help comes from!
When we stand before Jesus, let us not come with empty hands. Let the tears of our lives water the harvest for which He paid the ultimate price. May we not cling to our own lives, even unto death, but through the word of our testimony and the blood of the Lamb, let us bring forth souls for His Kingdom.
Draw your sword of truth! Stand firm in the fullness of Jesus! And as our giants fall, may the yield of our lives be the offering we present to the Lover of our souls.
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