The gaint of Gall, one of the sons of Amak. (See Josh. xi. 22.) His name signifies an heap, from Galah. The size of this man was enormous. "Six cubits and a span." So that supposing what is the common allowed measure of the cubit to have been, "one and twenty inches, " and that a span was half a cubit, this man was eleven feet and four inches high. The armour he wore bore a correspondence to the greatness of his stature. His coat is said to have weighed five thousand shekels. A shekel was half an ounce. And if all theother parts of his armour carried a proportion to this, in his "helmet of brass, and the greaves of brass, and the target, and his spear’s head, six hundered skels of iron, what an astonishing man must he have been in such an astonishing ponderous armour, in carrying that for exercise and slaughter which few strong men could lift from the ground! (See 1 Sam. 17. throughout.) But how soon David the stripling conquered him, when armed and lead on to victory by the Lord. But in reading the history of this battle we stopshort of the chief glory of it, if we do not eye the Lord Jesus Christ, the almighty David of his Israel, conquering hell, death, and the grave, in all his Goliahs which come forth to defy the army of the living God. Oh! how blessed it is in all to behold Christ going forth "for the salvation of his people!"
a famous giant of the city of Gath, who was slain by David, 1Sa 17:4-5, &c. See GIANTS.
A celebrated giant of Gath, who challenged the armies of Israel, and was encountered and slain by David. The history is contained in 1Sa 17:1-58 . His height was nine feet and a half; or, if we reckon the cubit at twenty-one inches, over eleven feet. See GIANTS.\par
Goli’ath. (splendor). A famous giant of Gath, who "morning and evening for forty days," defied the armies of Israel. 1Sa 17:1. (B.C. 1063). He was possibly descended from the old Rephaim, see Giants, of whom a scattered remnant took refuge with the Philistines, after their dispersion by the Ammonites. Deu 2:20-21; 2Sa 21:22.
His height was "six cubits and a span," which taking the cubit at 21 inches, would make him 10 1/2 feet high. The scene of his combat with David, by whom he was slain, was the "valley of the terebinth," between Shochoh and Arekah, probably among the western passes of Benjamin. In 2Sa 21:19, we find that another Goliath of Gath was slain by Elhanan, also a Bethlehemite.
Perhaps a descendant of the old Rephaim, a remnant of whom, when dispersed by Ammon, took refuge with the Philistines (Deu 2:20-21; 2Sa 21:22). Hebrew
Thus three independent witnesses, Moses, Joshua, and Samuel, in the most undesigned way confirm the fact that Goliath was a giant of Gath. His height, six cubits and a span, would make 9 ft. 2 in. Parisian measure, a height not unparalleled. But Septuagint and Josephus read four cubits and a span. His coat of mail, covering chest, back, and lower parts of the body, was "scale armor,"
(Heb. Golyath’,
This modern name, however, may rather be (=the spring of Gilead) a reminiscence of Gideon’s exploit (Jdg 7:3). SEE GILEAD. The circumstances of the combat (q.v.) are in all respects. Homeric, free from any of the puerile legends which Oriental imagination subseqtuently introduced into it; as, for instance, that the stones used by David called out to him from the brook, "By our means you shall slay the giant," etc. (Hottinger, Hist. Orient. 1:3, page 111 sq.). The fancies of the Rabbis are yet more extraordinary. By the Mohammedans Saul and Goliath are called Taluth and Kaluth (Jalut in Koran, 2:131 sq.), perhaps for the sake of the homoioteleuton, of which they are so fond (Hottinger, Hist. Orient. 1:3, page 28). Abulfeda mentions a Canaanite king of the name Jalut (Hist. Anteislam, page 176); and, according to Ahmed al-Fassi, Gialout was a dynastic name of the old giant- chiefs of the Philistines (D’Herbelot, Bibl. Or. s.v. Gialout). In the title of the psalm added to the psalter in the Sept. we find
In 2Sa 21:19, we find that another Goliath of Gath, of whom it is also said that "the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam," was slain by Elhanan, also a Bethlehemite. St. Jerome (Quaest. Heb ad loc.) makes the unlikely conjecture that Elhanan was another name of David. The A.V. here interpolates the words "the brother of," from 1Ch 20:5, where this giant is called "Lahmi." See Stiebritz, Die Davidische Erlegung des Goliath’s (Halle, 1742). SEE ELHANAN.
Goliath (go-lî’ath), splendor. A giant of Gath, who for forty days defied the armies of Israel. 1Sa 17:1-58. His height was "six cubits and a span," which, taking- the cubit at 18 inches, would make him 9½ feet high. In 2Sa 21:19 we find that another Goliath of Gath was slain by Elhanan, also a Bethlehemite.
[Goli’ath]
The giant of Gath, who for forty days defied the armies of Israel. He was slain by David with a sling and a stone in the name of Jehovah. David cut off his head and carried it to Jerusalem. Goliath’s sword was preserved and eventually restored to David. His height was six cubits and a span, about 8ft. 4in. by the shortest cubit. He was a type of Satan, too strong for any to conquer except the one in the power of Jehovah, David being a type of the Lord Jesus. 1Sa 17:4-23; 1Sa 21:9. Goliath’s brother , named Lahmi, also a giant, is evidently the one spoken of in 2Sa 21:19, compare 1Ch 20:5.
By: Executive Committee of the Editorial Board., Emil G. Hirsch
A Philistine giant of Gath (I Sam. xvii. 4). The name "Goliath" is probably connected with the Assyro-Babylonian "Guzali" = "running, ravaging spirits," "destroyers" (Jastrow, "Religion of Assyria and Babylon," p. 500; Muss-Arnolt, "Concise Dictionary," s.v. "The Throne-Carriers"; Delitzsch, "Assyrisches Handwörterb." s.v.).
—Biblical Data:
Goliath was the champion of the Philistines, who had encamped between Shochoh and Azekah against Saul and the men of Israel arrayed for battle in the valley of Elah. He is describedas being six cubits and a span in height, having upon his head a helmet of brass, and wearing a coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels of brass, with greaves of brass upon his legs and a target or gorget of brass between his shoulders. The staff of his spear is said to have been like a weaver's beam, the spear's head weighing six hundred shekels of iron.
Insolently challenging Israel to appoint one of their number to meet him in single combat, with the condition that the people whose champion should be killed should become the slaves of the other, Goliath strikes fear into the hearts of Saul and his men. David, sent by his father with some provisions to his brothers and to their captain in Israel's army, hears the giant's challenge, and inquires what reward there shall be for the man who dares meet the monster. Rebuked by his brother Eliah for his presumption in leaving the sheep, and taxed by him with idle curiosity, David persists in his inquiry. Saul hears of David, and sends for him. The latter relates his experiences with lions and bears, and declares that the uncircumcised Philistine shall at his hands meet a similar fate.
Is Slain by David.
On being armed with Saul's armor, David finds that it impedes his gait, whereupon he discards it, takes his staff, and chooses five smooth stones out of the brook for use in his sling. He meets the giant, who, upon catching sight of his diminutive adversary, resents his coming as an insult. David declares that he comes in the name of Yhwh of hosts, the God of Israel, and warns the monster of his imminent destruction. David, using great strategy in running forward and backward, watches until the giant exposes his face, when, rushing upon him, he slings one of the stones, which, well directed, strikes the giant between the eyes, and, sinking deep into his forehead, fells him to the ground. Drawing the giant's own sword, the shepherd boy severs the head from the trunk. The defeat and death of their champion are the signal for a hasty flight of the Philistines. In consequence of this feat, David is received into Saul's family, but Saul becomes jealous of the young conqueror's popularity (I Sam. xviii. 9). Goliath's sword is reported to have been kept, "wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod," in the sanctuary at Nob in which Ahimelek was priest. David, a fugitive from Saul, knowing its worth, takes it with him in his flight to the King of Gath (I Sam. xxi. 9 [A. V. 10]). According to another account (II Sam. xxi. 19), Goliath was killed by Elhanan from Bethlehem.
—In Rabbinical Literature:
Goliath was of ignoble birth. His mother is said to have been Orpah (
: II Sam. xxi. 16; Yalḳ. ii. 125), who, after making a pretense of accompanying Ruth, her mother-in-law, and walking with her forty paces, had left her and had led a very profligate life, so that Goliath, her son, was of uncertain paternity (Midr. Ruth i. 14, where the ketib 
(I Sam. xvii. 23) is read 
; comp. Yalḳ. ii. 126, 601). She bore besides Goliath three other giants (Tan., Wayiggash, 8).
In defying Israel Goliath boasted of having slain the two sons of Eli, captured the holy Ark, brought it to the house of Dagon, where it stayed seven months, and of having led the van of the Philistines in every war, scattering the enemy before him like dust. Notwithstanding all these valorous deeds, he had not been found worthy to be the captain over a thousand. But what had Saul done? Why had he been made king? If he was a man and warrior, he should now come forward and meet him; but if he was a weakling, let Israel choose another champion (Targum to I Sam. xvii. 8). The name the giant bore indicated his supernatural insolence, Goliath recalling that he 
, stood with "uncovered [arrogant] countenance before even God" (Soṭah 42b). Goliath challenged the Israelites every morning and every evening, so as to disturb them at the hour set for reciting the Shema' (Yalḳ. ii. 126). He was permitted to repeat his defiances for forty days because of the forty paces which Orpah had accompanied Ruth (Tan., Wayiggash, 8). His accouterments weighed, according to R. Ḥanina, 60 tons; according to R. Abba bar Kahana, 120 tons (Soṭah 48b). The Biblical account is said to have described the immense proportions and strength of the giant only in order to convey the lesson that it is unlawful to sing the praises of an evil-doer (Yalḳ. l.c.).
The accouterments of Saul fitted David; but the latter, seeing Saul's displeasure, doffed them (Midrash Tan., Emor, ed. Buber, p. 43a; comp. a similar tradition among the Arabs in Ṭabari and Mas'udi). When David went forth to battle, however, God placed greaves upon his limbs (Yalḳ. l.c.). Why did Goliath fall on his face? In order that David should not be put to the trouble of going far when rushing upon him to behead him. According to R. Huna, Goliath had the picture of Dagon engraved upon his heart, which also came to shame through the giant's death (Cant. R. to iv. 4). Goliath is mentioned as the typical case where strength leads to downfall (Ex. R. xxxi.). He died like a dog (ib.). The sword of David (probably Goliath's) had miraculous powers (Midrash Golyat, Jellinek, "B. H." iv. 140-141). In order to guard the slayer of Goliath against becoming overbearing, God exposed him to the revenge of his slain adversary's brother and mother (see Giants; Sanh. 95a; Jellinek, "B. H." iv. 140 et seq.). The Targum to II Sam. xxi. 19 makes David, not Elhanan, the slayer of Goliath; Rashi identifies Elhanan with David.
—Critical View:
The two accounts of Goliath's death prove that many old traditions concerning valorous deeds performed in the wars against the Philistines were current among the people, the names of the heroes being variously given. Popular imagination attributed gigantic stature to the champions of the enemy; speaking not of one giant only, but of four (II Sam. xxi. 15 et seq.), and associating with David other men, "his servants," who after one of these encounters (with Ishbibenob; see Giants), in which David had run great dangers, swear to prevent him from again taking part in such expeditions.
The endeavor to harmonize the variant accounts is apparent in the version of I Chron. xx. 5, where Elhanan is credited with the slaying of Lahmi, the brother of Goliath. This Lahmi clearly owes hisexistence to the epithet by which Elhanan is distinguished in II Sam. xxi. 19, namely, the "Beth-lehemite" (
). The confusion in the text is plain in the repetition of "oregim" after the name of Elhanan's father, Jaare (Jair), from the end of the verse "the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam."
Literary Treatment.
The brief sketch in II Sam. xxi. is the more trust-worthy. The men of David—freebooters—manifest no fear in their movements against the enemies. The story of David's duel exhibits great literary skill, and the purpose is plainly to exalt David. The giant and the mere lad—the one in heavy, formidable equipment, the other with the simple outfit of a shepherd; the insolence of the Philistine; the faith and fortitude of David; the cowardice of Israel; the distrust of David's own brothers; the helplessness of Saul; the blind animal passion of the champion; the shrewd, calm strategy of the shepherd—all these are contrasted effects worked out with consummate art. But they point to the fact that in this version reflection and tendency had the dominating part. From the point of view of literary effectiveness, few portions of Old Testament literature equal this.
Underlying this tradition concerning Goliath and other giants is the undoubted fact that many huge weapons of bronze (brass) and iron were found by the invading shepherd tribes of Israel. Many of these were stored away at old shrines, perhaps because they were votive gifts of former generations (I Sam. xvii. 54). The sword incident in the version of I Sam. xvii. reflects, according to Cheyne, the religious temper of late Psalms (Ps. xx. 7 [A. V. 8], xliv. 5 [6]). The battle-cry in Gideon's army (Judges vii. 20) may be remembered as significant in this connection. The later religious construction of the David-Goliath incident (see Ecclus. [Sirach] xlvii. 2-11) is indeed woven into the account in I Sam. xvii., just as the valorous deed of David furnished the basis for the late superscriptions of psalms within and without the Hebrew canon (Ps. cxliv. [cxliii.]) and of one in the Greek psalter,
The text of the Septuagint differs materially from the Hebrew: verses 12-31, 41, 48b, and 50 are missing. These omitted, a coherent and consistent narrative is presented, recounting how David, a mere recruit, becomes suddenly a renowned warrior. Some critics have assumed that these omissions were made intentionally (so Wellhausen, "Die Composition des Hexateuchs," etc., 3d ed., p. 249; Kuenen, "Historisch-Kritische Einleitung in die Bücher des Alten Testaments," i., part 2, p. 61; Budde, "Richter und Samuel," p. 210). Others (W. R. Smith and Cornill) believe that the Hebrew verses not found in the Septuagint represent a second David-Goliath tradition.
GOLIATH.—A giant, said to have been a descendant of the early race of Anakim. He was slain, in single combat, by David (or, according to another tradition, by Elhanan) at Ephes-dammim, before an impending battle between the Philistines and the Israelites. That this ‘duel’ was of a religious character comes out clearly in 1Sa 17:43; 1Sa 17:45, where we are told that the Philistine cursed David by his gods, while David replies: ‘And I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.’ The fact that David brings the giant’s sword as an offering into the sanctuary at Nob points in the same direction. Goliath is described as being ‘six cubits and a span’ in height, i.e. over nine feet, at the likeliest reckoning; his armour and weapons were proportionate to his great height. Human skeletons have been found of equal height, so that there is nothing improbable in the Biblical account of his stature. The flight of the Philistines on the death of their champion could be accounted for by their belief that the Israelite God had shown Himself superior to their god (but see 2Sa 23:9-12, 1Ch 11:12 ff.); see, further, David, Elhanan.
W. O. E. Oesterley.
Name of a famous giant of Geth, against whom David fought, and whom he killed. Goliath is described as being "six cubits and a span" (I Kings 17) in height, i.e., over 9 feet at the likeliest reckoning; his armor and weapons were in proportion. In the time of Saul, the Philistines, having attacked the Israelites, encamped in a valley between Socho and Azeca. Each day, for 40 days, this giant came forth from the camp of the Philistines, and by words of contempt, provoked the Israelites to a single combat. David alone dared to accept the challenge; advancing with only staff, sling, and stones, towards Goliath, he struck the giant in the forehead wlth a stone, with such force that the latter fell to the earth. David rushed up, drew the sword of Goliath, and cut off his head. The Philistines fled in rout, and David returned in triumph to Jerusalem. Convinced that the honor of victory belonged to God alone, David saw that the sword of Goliath was placed in sanctuary at Nob, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod of the high priest (1 Kings 21).
(1) The giant of Gath, and champion of the Philistine army (1 Sam 17:4-23; 1Sa 21:9; 1Sa 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.