לַחְמִי (lach.mi)
lach.mi
Lahmi
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Lahmi appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, identifying a Philistine warrior from Gath who was killed by Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim (1 Chronicles 20:5). He is described as the brother of Goliath, the famous giant defeated by David. This single mention places him within the lineage of Rapha and connects him to other notable giants like Ishbi-benob and Saph.
Etymologically, the name means "my bread," a common type of personal name in the ancient Near East that often invoked sustenance or divine provision. While Goliath dominates the narrative of 1 Samuel 17, Lahmi’s appearance in Chronicles serves as a historical footnote, confirming that David’s victory over one giant did not end the conflict with Philistine champions. The text records his death to emphasize the ongoing nature of these battles.
Translators typically render this name simply as "Lahmi" without attempting to translate its meaning in the final text, preserving it as a proper noun. Its brevity contrasts with the dramatic stature of his brother, highlighting how many figures remain obscure in Scripture despite their familial ties to well-known characters.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Lahmi appears only once in Scripture, marking him as the brother of Goliath. While David’s victory over Goliath is widely known, this brief mention in 1 Chronicles reminds us that the struggle against overwhelming odds did not end with a single triumph. Lahmi’s story shows that challenges often persist even after we celebrate a win.
His name means "my bread," a simple reminder of basic human needs like sustenance and provision. In our own lives, when we face repeated difficulties or feel the weight of ongoing battles, this word encourages us to look for God’s daily provision. We do not have to rely on our own strength alone.
Whether you are facing a familiar enemy or a new challenge, remember that God is with you in every encounter. His presence provides what we need for each day. Trust in His care as you navigate these moments.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Lahmi1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַחְמִי֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 20:5
Again there was war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
This verse identifies Lahmi specifically as the brother of Goliath, linking him to the famous giant and confirming that Philistine threats continued after David’s initial victory.