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Scripture Analysis

2 Samuel 21:19

This verse is examined in more than one Scripture Analysis section. Each lens is shown on its own terms, in the section's own words; GEBible reaches no verdict of its own.

Contradictions
2 entries

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WEB

There was again war with the Philistines at Gob; and Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite’s brother, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

World English Bible

Read 2 Samuel 21:19 in context

Examined in Scripture Analysis

Contradictions (2)

Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.

  • Who killed Goliath?

    1 Samuel 17 credits David with killing Goliath of Gath. 2 Samuel 21:19 says Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim killed Goliath the Gittite, identifying Goliath specifically by the same weapon-description ("the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam") used for Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:7.

    Critical scholarship: Widely regarded as a genuine contradiction.

    Historical detail

    More on this question

    The proposed answers and sources for each reading are on the question page.

  • Who did Elhanan kill?

    2 Samuel 21:19 says Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim killed Goliath the Gittite — the same Goliath whom 1 Samuel 17 credits David with killing. 1 Chronicles 20:5 says Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath.

    Critical scholarship: Widely regarded as a genuine contradiction.

    Historical detail

    More on this question

    The proposed answers and sources for each reading are on the question page.

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Each section sets the viewpoints side by side; you weigh the evidence. Here, "critical scholarship" means academic study, not a value judgment. How this is built

Within each section, grouped by shared field or question type — not a cross-section comparison.

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One of these tensions involves a difference in wording across manuscripts or translations. Examine the original language on Lemma

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This citation refers to this GEBible page — the verse and the analysis gathered here. To cite the underlying scholarship, cite those sources directly.

"2 Samuel 21:19 — Scripture Analysis" GEBible, https://gebible.app/analysis/verse/2-samuel/21/19?version=WEB (retrieved 27 August 2026).