Goliath, the Philistine warrior, stands as one of the Bible’s most imposing figures. His legendary clash with the young shepherd David is a timeless tale of courage and faith overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. Central to Goliath’s intimidating presence is his height, described in scripture as exceeding that of ordinary men. But exactly How Tall Was Goliath? The answer, while seemingly straightforward, involves a fascinating look into ancient measurements and textual variations.
The most widely recognized measurement of Goliath’s height comes from the Masoretic Text, the authoritative Hebrew version of the Old Testament. This text states that Goliath stood at “six cubits and a span.” To understand this measurement, we need to delve into ancient units. A cubit, based on the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, is generally estimated to be around 18 inches (or 46 centimeters). A span, the distance between the tips of the outstretched thumb and little finger, is approximately half a cubit, or 9 inches (23 centimeters).
Applying these estimations to the Masoretic Text’s description, Goliath’s height calculates to an astounding nine feet, nine inches (approximately 3 meters). This towering stature easily justifies Goliath’s reputation as a giant and emphasizes the sheer disparity in physical size between him and the young David. This measurement has led many translations, such as the New International Version (NIV), to describe Goliath as “over nine feet tall.” Such a height would have made Goliath an anomaly even in ancient times, possibly suggesting a lineage connected to figures like the Anakim, a group known for their great size mentioned elsewhere in the Bible (Deuteronomy 9:2).
However, the Masoretic Text is not the only ancient source that details Goliath’s dimensions. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament predating the Masoretic Text, offers a significantly different measurement. According to the Septuagint, Goliath’s height was “four cubits and a span.” Using the same cubit and span estimations, this measurement translates to a height of about six feet, six inches (approximately 1.98 meters).
This shorter stature, while still imposing – especially considering the average height of men at that time was around five and a half feet – presents a different picture of Goliath. Interestingly, the Septuagint’s measurement is not without supporting evidence. One Hebrew text found amongst the Dead Sea Scrolls, along with the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus, also corroborate this shorter measurement. The NET Bible, acknowledging this textual variation, opts for the shorter height, stating Goliath was “close to seven feet tall.”
The discrepancy between these measurements raises questions about the accuracy and transmission of ancient texts. Several factors could account for the variation. Firstly, the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, and translations into Greek for the Septuagint could have introduced variations in interpreting measurements. Secondly, the cubit itself was not a standardized unit of measure. Being based on a person’s arm length, the exact length of a cubit could vary depending on who was measuring. This inherent variability in ancient measurements could contribute to the differing accounts of Goliath’s height.
Regardless of whether Goliath stood at nine feet nine inches or six feet six inches, the biblical narrative emphasizes his formidable nature. Beyond mere height, the scriptures detail Goliath’s impressive strength and battle prowess. His bronze armor weighed a staggering 125 pounds (1 Samuel 17:5), and his spear was described as having a shaft as thick as a weaver’s beam (1 Samuel 17:7). Goliath was, without question, a champion warrior, a physical embodiment of Philistine military might. This is why he was chosen as the Philistine’s champion, a warrior representing their entire army in single combat.
Ultimately, the story of David and Goliath transcends the specifics of Goliath’s height. The narrative’s power lies in the contrast between Goliath’s imposing physical presence and David’s unwavering faith and trust in God. Armed with only a sling and five smooth stones, David’s victory over Goliath demonstrated that true strength comes not from physical stature but from divine support. David’s courage in facing Goliath, regardless of his precise height, serves as an enduring testament to the power of faith overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
For Further Study:
- The Complete Book of Who’s Who in the Bible by Comfort & Elwell
- More insights from your Bible study – Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!
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- Was Goliath one of the Nephilim?
- How could David be considered a man after God’s own heart?
- What should we learn from the account of David and Goliath?
- Why did David choose five smooth stones before going to fight Goliath?
- Who killed Goliath, David or Elhanan?
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How tall was Goliath?
