בֵּנַיִם
a double interval, i.e. the space between two armies
Definition
The Hebrew word בֵּנַיִם (bênayim) is a dual noun meaning 'a space between two things' or 'an interval.' In its only two biblical occurrences, it specifically denotes the open ground between two opposing armies, the space where a duel or single combat would take place. This is vividly illustrated in 1 Samuel 17:4 and 1 Samuel 17:23, where the Philistine champion Goliath emerges into this 'space between' to challenge the Israelites. The term thus captures the tense, liminal area of confrontation before a battle.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the narrative of 1 Samuel 17, describing the standoff between the Israelite and Philistine armies. In both 1 Samuel 17:4 and 17:23, it refers to the physical 'space between' the battle lines, into which Goliath steps to issue his challenge. This specific context defines its entire biblical usage as a technical term for a battlefield's no-man's-land designated for representative combat.
Etymology
בֵּנַיִם (bênayim) is the dual form of the common preposition בֵּין (bên, H996), which means 'between.' The dual form intensifies the concept, emphasizing the space *between two* specific entities. This grammatical construction perfectly suits its context, as it literally means 'the between-space of two armies.'
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it sets the stage for one of the Bible's most iconic demonstrations of faith versus human strength. The 'space between' is not merely a geographical gap but a spiritual arena where David, trusting in God's name, confronts the enemy champion who defies the 'armies of the living God' (1 Samuel 17:26). Understanding this term enriches the story by highlighting the formal, high-stakes nature of the confrontation where God's reputation and Israel's fate were publicly contested.
In ancient Near Eastern warfare, battles between armies were sometimes decided by single combat between chosen champions, avoiding the bloodshed of a full engagement. The 'space between' (bênayim) was the formally recognized and respected zone for this duel. The outcome was understood to reflect the will and strength of the gods each champion represented, making David's victory a direct testimony to the power of Yahweh.
בֵּין (bên, H996) — the common preposition 'between,' from which bênayim is derived. מֶרְחָק (merchaq, H7350) — 'distance' or 'far country,' a more general term for space or remoteness, not specific to an interval between two opposing forces.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →