2 Samuel 23:26
2 Samuel 23:26 in Multiple Translations
Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Helez the Paltite, Ira, the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Helez the Paltite; Ira, son of Ikkesh, from Tekoa;
Helez the Paltite: Ira the sonne of Ikkesh the Tekoite:
Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Heles of Phalti, Hira the son of Acces of Thecua,
Helez, from Pelet city; Ira, the son of Ikkesh, from Tekoa town;
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 23:26
BAB
Word Study
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2 Samuel 23:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חֶ֚לֶץ
הַ/פַּלְטִ֔י
עִירָ֥א
בֶן
עִקֵּ֖שׁ
הַ/תְּקוֹעִֽי
חֶ֚לֶץ
Chelets
H2503
Helez
N-proper
הַ/פַּלְטִ֔י
Palṭîy
H6407
Paltite
Art | Ngmsa
עִירָ֥א
ʻÎyrâʼ
H5896
Ira
N-proper
בֶן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
עִקֵּ֖שׁ
ʻIqqêsh
H6142
Ikkesh
N-proper
הַ/תְּקוֹעִֽי
Tᵉqôwʻîy
H8621
Tekoa
Art | Ngmsa
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 23:26
חֶ֚לֶץ
Chelets
H2503
"Helez"
N-proper
Helez was an Israelite, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:39, and also one of David's mighty warriors. His name means 'he has saved'.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.39; son of: Azariah (H5838J); father of: Eleasah (H0501) § Helez = "he has saved" 1) an Ephraimite, one of the 30 of David's mighty warriors, leader of the 7th monthly course 2) a man of Judah, son of Azariah
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Helez. See also: 2 Samuel 23:26; 1 Chronicles 11:27; 1 Chronicles 27:10.
הַ/פַּלְטִ֔י
Palṭîy
H6407
"Paltite"
Art | Ngmsa
A Paltite is a descendant of Palti, an Israelite who lived during the time of King David. The name means escape, and it is used to identify a group of people who were related to Palti.
Definition: Someone descended from Pelon or Palet(?), first mentioned at 2Sa.23.26; also called Paltite at 2Sa.23.26; Group of pe.lo.ni (פְּלוֹנִי "Pelonite" H6397) § Paltite = "escape" a descendant of Palti or an inhabitant of Beth-palet
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Paltite. See also: 2 Samuel 23:26.
עִירָ֥א
ʻÎyrâʼ
H5896
"Ira"
N-proper
Ira was the name of three different Israelites, including a great officer and a mighty warrior of King David, as listed in 2 Samuel 23:38.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.38 § Ira = "watchful of a city" 1) the Jairite, one of David's great officers 2) one of David's mighty warriors 3) a Tekoite, son of Ikkesh, and another of David's mighty warriors
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: Ira. See also: 2 Samuel 20:26; 1 Chronicles 11:28; 1 Chronicles 27:9.
בֶן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
עִקֵּ֖שׁ
ʻIqqêsh
H6142
"Ikkesh"
N-proper
Ikkesh was an Israelite who lived during the time of the United Monarchy, and was the father of Ira, one of David's mighty warriors. His name means twisted, and he is mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:26. The KJV translates his name as Ikkesh.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.26; father of: Ira (H5896H) § Ikkesh = "twisted" father of Ira, the Tekoite, and one of David's mighty warriors
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Ikkesh. See also: 2 Samuel 23:26; 1 Chronicles 11:28; 1 Chronicles 27:9.
הַ/תְּקוֹעִֽי
Tᵉqôwʻîy
H8621
"Tekoa"
Art | Ngmsa
A Tekoite is an inhabitant of Tekoa, a town in Judah. The word is used to describe someone from this town, such as the prophet Amos who was a Tekoite. The KJV translates it as Tekoite.
Definition: Tekoite, of Tekoa "trumpet blast" an inhabitant of Tekoa Another spelling of te.qo.a (תְּקוֹעַ "Tekoa" H8620)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Tekoite. See also: 2 Samuel 14:4; 1 Chronicles 11:28; Nehemiah 3:27.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 23:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — David’s Mighty Men
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 14:2 | So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time. |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 11:27–28 | Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 27:9–10 | The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division. |
2 Samuel 23:26 Summary
This verse, 2 Samuel 23:26, introduces us to two of King David's brave warriors, Helez the Paltite and Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. It reminds us that God uses people from all walks of life to accomplish great things, just as we see in the stories of everyday people like fishermen and tax collectors who became disciples of Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9-13). By including these men in the list of mighty warriors, the Bible shows us that everyone has a role to play in God's plan, regardless of their background or family (1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Galatians 3:28). As we reflect on this verse, we can be encouraged to use our own unique gifts and abilities to serve God and others, just like Helez and Ira did.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we learn about Helez the Paltite from 2 Samuel 23:26?
Helez the Paltite is listed among the mighty men of King David, indicating his bravery and loyalty, as seen in other biblical accounts of brave warriors, such as 1 Samuel 17:51 and 2 Samuel 10:7-8.
Who was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite?
Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite was another mighty man of King David, as mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:26, and his inclusion highlights the diverse backgrounds of David's warriors, similar to the diverse group of disciples Jesus chose in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 10:2-4.
Why are the hometowns and families of these warriors mentioned?
The mention of hometowns and families, such as the Paltite and Tekoite, serves to emphasize the diverse origins of David's mighty men and to highlight their individual identities, much like the genealogies in 1 Chronicles 1-9, which provide a sense of community and heritage.
How does this verse fit into the larger narrative of 2 Samuel?
This verse is part of a list of David's mighty men, which showcases God's provision and blessing on David's leadership, as seen in 2 Samuel 23:1-7, and ultimately points to God's faithfulness and promise-keeping, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to be a 'mighty man' of God, and how can I strive to be brave and loyal in my own faith journey?
- How do the diverse backgrounds of David's warriors reflect the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, and what implications does this have for my own relationships and community?
- In what ways can I, like Helez and Ira, use my unique gifts and abilities to serve God and others, as encouraged in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11?
- What can I learn from the fact that these warriors are remembered and honored in Scripture, and how can I seek to leave a lasting legacy of faith and obedience?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 23:26
Helez the Paltite,.... Who was of a place called Pater, as the Targum; in 1 Chronicles 11:27, he is called the Pelonite: Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; who was of the city of Tekoah, the native
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 23:26
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Helez the Paltite , [ Chelets (H2503)] (see the notes at 1 Chronicles 11:27) - "the Paltite," a corrupt form of Pelonite.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 23:26
(26) Helez.—He was general of the seventh army division (1 Chronicles 27:10). There, and also in 1 Chronicles 11:27, he is called a Pelonite.Ira was general for the sixth month (1 Chronicles 27:9). His home, Tekoah, was about six miles south of Bethlehem.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 23:26
26. Helez the Paltite] Generally explained to mean of Beth-pelet, an unid entified town in the extreme south of Judah, named in the same group with Beer-sheba (Joshua 15:27). But this seems questionable, as he is called an Ephraimite in 1 Chronicles 27:10. 1 Chron. twice reads Pelonite (1 Chronicles 11:27, 1 Chronicles 27:10), but there is no known place or family from which such a name could be formed, and it is either a corruption, or the Hebrew word meaning of so and so, inserted by a scribe who could not read the original word in the text which he was copying. Helez was general of the seventh division of the army (1 Chronicles 27:10). Ira … the Tekoite] Of Tekoa, see note on ch. 2 Samuel 14:2. He was general of the sixth division of the army (1 Chronicles 27:9), and a different person from David’s minister (ch. 2 Samuel 20:26).
Sermons on 2 Samuel 23:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(2 Samuel) Fighting to Keep Unity by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a story from the Bible about a wise woman who saves her city from a siege. The woman approaches Joab, a military leader, and proposes a solut |