Josheb-basshebeth

Biblical Record

Josheb-basshebeth is the first name in the list of David's mighty men in 2 Samuel 23. The Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Hangeul) introduces him as "Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite, also called Adino the Eznite," the chief of the captains, who slew eight hundred men at one time. The King James Version renders the verse as follows:

• "The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time" (2 Samuel 23:8).

The same list also appears in 1 Chronicles 11. First Chronicles 11:11 calls the man in this position Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, and records that he lifted up his spear and slew three hundred men at one time. Because the two lists are nearly identical in order and content, the two figures are generally regarded as the same person. Scripture does not record his birth, his family, or any other events of his life.

Significance in Scripture

He was the chief of the renowned "three mighty men" who served with David, and he stands at the head of the list. The list shows that the kingdom of David was established through the help of God together with the devotion of loyal warriors. Concerning the victories of these warriors, 2 Samuel 23:10 and 12 state that "the LORD wrought a great victory." The New Testament does not mention him.

Interpretation and Issues

• The name: The Hebrew "Josheb-basshebeth" can be read as meaning "one who sits in the seat." For this reason many scholars consider the name a variant that arose in the course of scribal copying (transcription by hand) and hold that his original name was "Jashobeam," as in Chronicles.
• "Adino the Eznite": The meaning of this phrase is unclear in the Hebrew text. Comparing it with "lifted up his spear" in 1 Chronicles 11:11, some hold that the text originally stated that he wielded his spear and that the letters were altered in the course of transmission. The Korean Revised Version renders the phrase as an alternative name.
• Eight hundred versus three hundred: Second Samuel gives the number as eight hundred, while 1 Chronicles gives three hundred. Some explain the difference as a scribal error, while others take the two passages as records of different battles. The explanation offered varies according to how one understands the inerrancy of Scripture (the belief that Scripture contains no errors).
• Jashobeam in 1 Chronicles 27: First Chronicles 27:2 mentions "Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel," who was in charge of the course for the first month. Some identify this man with Josheb-basshebeth, but the text alone does not settle the question.

In the Korean Church

The New Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Gaejeong) uses the spelling "Josheb-basshebeth" (요셉밧세벳). Sermons devoted solely to this figure are rare. He is usually mentioned in sermons or Bible studies on David's mighty men as an example of loyalty and valor.