Goliath גׇּלְיַת
A Philistine giant defeated by David.
Who is Goliath in the Bible?
Goliath was a Philistine giant from the city of Gath who served as the champion warrior for the Philistines during King Saul's reign over Israel (1 Samuel 17:4). Standing approximately nine feet nine inches tall and clad in heavy bronze armor, he challenged the Israelites to send a single warrior to face him in combat, a challenge that went unanswered until the young shepherd David volunteered (1 Samuel 17:23). David defeated Goliath by striking him in the forehead with a stone from his sling, then killed him and cut off his head with Goliath's own sword (1 Samuel 17:48-50). This victory marked a pivotal moment in David's life, launching him from obscurity to prominence in Israel and establishing him as a figure of great faith and courage. Goliath's defeat has become one of the Bible's most iconic stories, symbolizing how trust in God can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.
Biography
Goliath was a Philistine warrior from the city of Gath who fought against the Israelites during the reign of King Saul. He is described as a giant, standing at six cubits and a span (approximately 9 feet 9 inches or 3 meters) tall, and wearing heavy bronze armor (1Sa.17.4-7). Goliath challenged the Israelites to send a champion to face him in single combat, but no one dared to accept the challenge until David, a young shepherd, volunteered. With a sling and a stone, David defeated Goliath, striking him on the forehead and killing him (1Sa.17.48-50). David then cut off Goliath's head with the giant's own sword (1Sa.17.51). This event is significant in David's life, as it marked the beginning of his rise to prominence in Israel. The sword of Goliath was kept as a trophy, and David later retrieved it from the tabernacle at Nob when he was fleeing from Saul (1Sa.21.9, 22:10). In 2Sa.21.19 and 1Ch.20.5, there is mention of another Goliath, also from Gath, who was killed by Elhanan, one of David's warriors. Some scholars believe this may refer to a brother or relative of the Goliath killed by David.
Family
Siblings
- Ishbi-benob MaleA gigantic manPhilistine giant who fought against David's men.View full profile →
- Saph MaleA gigantic manPhilistine giant killed by Sibbechai the HushathiteView full profile →
- Lahmi MaleA gigantic manBrother of Goliath the GittiteView full profile →
- huge man MaleA gigantic manA huge man from Gath, killed by David's warriors.View full profile →
In Scripture
3 biblical books1 Samuel 4 verses
- 1 Samuel 17:4
"Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height,"
- 1 Samuel 17:23
"And as he was speaking with them, suddenly the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, came forward from the ranks of the Philistines and shouted his usual words, which David also heard."
- 1 Samuel 21:9
"The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want, you may take it. For there is no other but this one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”"
- 1 Samuel 22:10
"Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”"
2 Samuel 1 verse
- 2 Samuel 21:19
"Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam."
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 20:5
"Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | גׇּלְיַת |
Goliath
ble:1Sam.22.10">22:10; 2Sa 21:19; 1Ch 20:5). He defied the armies of Israel, challenging anyone to meet him in single combat while the two armies faced each other at Ephesdammim. He was slain by the youthful David. Goliath was almost certainly not of Philistine blood, but belonged to one of the races of giants, or aboriginal tribes, such as the Anakim, Avvim, Rephaim, etc. The Avvim had lived at Philistia, and most probably the giant was of that race. His size was most extraordinary. If a cubit was about 21 inches, he was over 11 feet in height; if about 18 inches, he was over 9 feet in height. The enormous weight of his armor would seem to require the larger cubit. This height probably included his full length in armor, helmet and all. In either case he is the largest man known to history. His sword was wielded by David to slay him and afterward carried about in his wanderings, so it could not have been excessively heavy. The story of his encounter with David is graphic, and the boasts of the two champions were perfectly in keeping with single combats in the Orient.
(2) The Goliath of 2Sa 21:19 is another person, and quite probably a son of the first Goliath. He was slain by Elhanan, one of David's mighty men. The person mentioned in 1Ch 20:5 is called Lachmi, but this is almost certainly due to a corruption of the text. "The brother of Goliath" is the younger Goliath and probably a son of the greater Goliath, who had four sons, giants, one of them having 24 fingers and toes. See ELHANAN; LAHMI.
J. J. Reeve
go'-mer (gomer): Given in Ge 10:2 f; 1Ch 1:5 f as a son of Japheth. The name evidently designates the people called Gimirra by the Assyrians, K