לַחְמִי
Lachmi, an Israelite; or rather probably a brief form
Definition
Lachmi is a proper noun appearing only in 1 Chronicles 20:5, where it identifies a brother of Goliath the Gittite, who was slain by Elhanan. The name itself is likely a shortened form or a textual variant of 'Bethlehemite' (H1022, בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי), meaning 'from Bethlehem.' This connection is supported by the parallel account in 2 Samuel 21:19, which states Elhanan killed 'Goliath the Gittite,' but some textual traditions and the Chronicler's version specify the victim as 'Lahmi, the brother of Goliath.' Therefore, Lachmi is understood as an individual Israelite warrior, and the textual variation highlights the Chronicler's attention to genealogical and military details.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 20:5. It functions strictly as a personal name within a military narrative listing the champions David's men defeated. The context is a record of Philistine giants slain by David's warriors, emphasizing God's power working through Israel against formidable enemies. The parallel in 2 Samuel 21:19 presents a notable textual difference, making this single usage significant for textual criticism.
Etymology
The name Lachmi (לַחְמִי) is derived from the Hebrew root לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899), meaning 'bread' or 'food.' As a proper noun with the possessive 'i' ending, it likely means 'my bread' or 'foodful,' possibly indicating provision. However, scholars widely consider it a brief or corrupted form of 'Beth-ha-Lachmi' (H1022), meaning 'the Bethlehemite,' linking the individual to the town of Bethlehem ('house of bread'). This suggests the original text may have identified the warrior by his hometown rather than a personal name.
Semantic Range
While the name Lachmi itself is not theologically loaded, its context in 1 Chronicles 20:5 contributes to the theme of God granting victory to His people, David's kingdom, over powerful adversaries, fulfilling the Davidic covenant promises. The textual issue between Chronicles and Samuel invites reflection on the transmission and harmonization of Scripture, showing how later biblical authors clarified or interpreted earlier records. Understanding this enriches reading by highlighting the Chronicler's focus on legitimizing David's line and God's faithfulness in battle.
In the ancient Near East, names often held meaning related to character, destiny, or origin. 'Lachmi,' if meaning 'my bread,' could reflect a cultural hope for sustenance or blessing. More importantly, being identified as a possible 'Bethlehemite' connects the individual to a specific Judahite town, which later gained immense significance as King David's birthplace and, prophetically, the birthplace of the Messiah. The account also reflects the cultural practice of recording military exploits and genealogies to establish honor and legacy.
בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי (Beth-ha-Lachmi, H1022) — The full gentilic term meaning 'the Bethlehemite,' denoting origin from Bethlehem.
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 →