And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.
There was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob х bª-Gowb (H1359), a pit or cistern]. The word is used here apparently as the name of a place which is called (1 Chronicles 20:4) Gezer, or (cf. Josephus, 'Antiquities,' b. 7:, ch. 12:, sec. 2) Gazara. [The Septuagint has: kai egeneto hoti polemos en Geth, in Gath.]
Sibbechal the Hushathite, х Cibªkay (H5444) = cªkak Yaah, thicket of Yah(weh) - i:e., crowd of God's people (Gesenius) (see the notes at 2 Samuel 23:27)] - called "the Hushathite," from Hushah (1 Chronicles 4:4), indicating, not the name of his ancestor ("father" in that passage meaning 'founder'), but his birthplace or residence. [The Septuagint, the Vatican has: Sebocha ho Astatoothi; the Codex Alexandrinus, Sebochaei ho Aousastoonthei] Josephus calls him 'the Hittite' ('Antiquities,' b. 7:, ch. 12:, sec. 2).
Slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant - or of Rapha (see the notes at 2 Samuel 21:16); Saph, or, Sippai (1 Chronicles 20:4,). [Septuagint, Sef]. 'I saw' (says Miss Rogers, 'Domestic Life in Palestine,' p. 316) 'a number of Arabs belonging to the valley of Urtas, with their chief, a tall powerful man, called Sheikh Saph, whose family according to local tradition, has for ages been distinguished for the height and strength of its men.'