Book of 2 Samuel - Chapter 23 - Verse 29
Meaning
Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, and Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the children of Benjamin are mentioned in this verse in the Bible. Heleb's father, Baanah, belonged to the town of Netophah, which was located in the territory of Judah. Ittai, on the other hand, was from Gibeah, a town in the tribal territory of Benjamin. These men were likely warriors or leaders who played a role in the events described in the surrounding verses. By identifying their lineage and place of origin, the author provides context for their actions and highlights their importance in the narrative. Understanding the background of these individuals helps readers to appreciate the diverse roles that different people from various regions played in the historical events depicted in the Bible.
Theological Overview
Heleb, the son of Baanah, is identified as a Netophathite, which indicates his place of origin. The term 'Netophathite' refers to a place called Netophah, which was a village in the territory of Judah. Ittai, the son of Ribai, is said to be from Gibeah of the children of Benjamin. Gibeah was a town in the land allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. Understanding the geographical backgrounds of these individuals helps us to place them within the context of the biblical narrative. These details also highlight the diversity of Israelite society, with people coming from various regions and tribes.