Saph סַף

Male H5593 2 books

Philistine giant killed by Sibbechai the Hushathite

Who is Saph in the Bible?

Saph was a Philistine giant who was killed by Sibbechai the Hushathite during a battle between the Israelites and Philistines, as recorded in 2 Samuel 21:18 and 1 Chronicles 20:4. He is also called Sippai in some biblical accounts, and the battle in which he died took place at either Gob or Gezer, depending on the source. Saph's death was part of a larger series of victories by David's mighty men against Philistine giants during the reign of King David. His inclusion in these accounts underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to defeat Israel's enemies through David's leadership and the valor of his warriors.

Biography

Saph (or Sippai) is mentioned in 2Sa.21.18 and 1Ch.20.4 as a Philistine giant who was killed by Sibbechai the Hushathite during a battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. The battle took place at Gob (2Sa.21.18) or Gezer (1Ch.20.4), and it was part of a series of battles in which David's mighty men fought against the Philistine giants (2Sa.21.15-22; 1 Chronicles 20).

Family

In Scripture

2 biblical books
2 Samuel 1 verse
  • 2 Samuel 21:18

    "Some time later at Gob, there was another battle with the Philistines. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, a descendant of Rapha."

1 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 1 Chronicles 20:4

    "Some time later, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew סַף
Named Hebrew סִפַּי
Encyclopedia Article

Saph

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

18; 1Ch 20:4). It is supposed by some that he was the son of the giant Goliath, but this is not proved. In 1Ch 20:4, the same person is called "Sippai."

(1) A and Fritzsche, Saphat; omitted in Codex Vaticanus (and Swete); Babylonian margin Asaph: The eponym of a family which returned with Zerubbabel (1 Esdras 5:9) = "Shephatiah" in <ref osisRef="Bible:Ez