שמואל ב, פרק כ״א, פסוק כ׳

The long series of battles between David's men and the Philistine giants reaches its conclusion in a fourth and final clash at the city of Gath. The Philistines deliberately placed monstrous figures on the front lines to strike terror into the hearts of their enemies. More than just skilled warriors, these men possessed massive, abnormal bodies that naturally provoked deep fear [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The defeat of this particular giant marks the end of the victories over the descendants of the giants, clearing the path for the long era of peace that would later define the reign of Solomon [מלבי״ם].

This final giant is known by a distinct title, which is understood in different ways. The primary approach among commentators is that the term relates to measurement, indicating a man of massive proportions and towering height. This is supported by the Aramaic translation and a parallel historical account that explicitly calls him a man of great measure [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. Another perspective understands the title as relating to strife, describing a man defined by constant conflict and war [רלב״ג]. A combined approach suggests both descriptions are accurate: he was a fighter of enormous physical size who actively sought out battle [אברבנאל].

To highlight his terrifying and abnormal nature, his physical structure is detailed carefully. He had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, totaling twenty-four digits. Commentators agree that this precise counting method is necessary to prevent any confusion. If only the number six was mentioned for his hands and feet, one might mistakenly assume he had three digits on each limb, adding up to six per pair. Conversely, if only the total of twenty-four was given, it could imply an uneven distribution, such as seven fingers on one hand and five on the other. Providing both the breakdown and the total clarifies that there were exactly six digits on every single limb [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Furthermore, the specific note that these digits were counted teaches that the extra fingers and toes were not mere deformed growths. They were fully formed, orderly digits that functioned perfectly as part of a regular set [רש״י].

Ultimately, this warrior was born into the Rapha, firmly establishing his lineage and place within the infamous family of giants [רד״ק, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ].