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בֵּנַיִם

𐤁𐤍𐤉𐤌

bênayim

H1143 noun

SILEX Entry

Root בין to separate, distinguish, perceive, understand

Definition

The intervening space or area between two entities, particularly used to describe the space between two opposing armies in a battlefield context. In some contexts, used as a designation for a 'champion,' that is, a representative combatant who stands or fights in the space between the armies. The term denotes the actual physical gap, but can also serve as a functional title for a warrior who occupies that space to engage in single combat on behalf of their respective side.

Semantic Range

space between two parties, physical interval between two armies, representative combatant (champion) in single-combat scenarios

Root / Etymology

From the root בין (bet-nun), 'to divide, discern, distinguish, understand.' בֵּנַיִם is a dual form (ending -ַיִם) of בֵּין (between), thus literally 'between [two]' or 'the space between.' The term is derived directly from the root meaning but takes on a specific denotation of spatial interval or the one who occupies that interval.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used in 1 Samuel 17:4,23, referring to Goliath as the 'champion,' or literally the one 'of the space between,' a representative coming out into the space between two battle lines for single combat. The usage reflects an ancient Near Eastern practice of selecting a warrior to fight in the gap between armies to decide conflict. English translations often render the term as 'champion,' but this narrows its meaning significantly; the original Hebrew speaks more to position than to prowess or title. The term appears in battle accounts of the monarchic period, but no clear evidence suggests later use or shift in meaning. Distinct from terms like אִישׁ הַמִּלְחָמָה ('man of war') or גִּבּוֹר ('warrior, mighty one'), which describe attributes rather than spatial function.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

dual of בֵּין; a double interval, i.e. the space between two armies; [phrase] champion.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בין (b-y-n) — separate, divide, distinguish, discern, understand

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2985 יָבִין like Yavin
H8394 תָּבוּן in discernment
H946 בּוּנָה and Bunah
H995 בִּין I discern
H996 בֵּין in between

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1143-01 הַ/בֵּנַ֨יִם֙ habenayim HTd/Ncmda the-between-ones the between-two space 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1143-01 1 Samuel 17:4 הַ/בֵּנַ֨יִם֙ habenayim HTd/Ncmda the champion the between-two space
H1143-01 1 Samuel 17:23 הַ/בֵּנַ֡יִם habenayim HTd/Ncmda the-between-ones the between-two space
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