Goliath
From Bible Exegesis
Great.
(1.) A famous giant of Gath, who for forty days openly defied the armies of Israel, but was at length slain by David with a stone from a sling (1Sa_17:4). He was probably descended from the Rephaim who found refuge among the Philistines after they were dispersed by the Ammonites (Deu_2:20, Deu_2:21). His height was “six cubits and a span,” which, taking the cubit at 21 inches, is equal to 10 1/2 feet. David cut off his head (1Sa_17:51) and brought it to Jerusalem, while he hung the armour which he took from him in his tent. His sword was preserved at Nobas a religious trophy (1Sa_21:9). David's victory over Goliath was the turning point in his life. He came into public notice now as the deliverer of Israel and the chief among Saul's men of war (1Sa_18:5), and the devoted friend of Jonathan.
(2.) In 2Sa_21:19 there is another giant of the same name mentioned as slain by Elhanan. The staff of his spear “was like a weaver's beam.” The King James Version interpolates the words “the brother of” from 1Ch_20:5, where this giant is called Lahmi.
gō̇-lī´ath (גּלית, golyāth; Γολιάθ, Goliáth):
(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.
