Bible Trivia Question
What's the Answer?
How heavy was Goliath's coat of armour?
2000 shekels (~50 lbs)
1000 shekels (~25 lbs)
10000 shekels (~250 lbs)
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Click to reveal the answerThe answer is: 5000 shekels (~125 lbs)
1 Sam 17:5 - One shekel being 11.38g using the average weight of a common shekel. The weight may be slightly out depending on what conversion used but it's certainly a large amount extra to carry.
Goliath, the legendary Philistine giant, is quite a figure in the Bible, standing as a symbol of overwhelming odds. When we think of his 5,000 shekels of armor – which translates to around 125 pounds – it’s hard not to be impressed (or perhaps terrified). This bulky equipment would demand tremendous strength to don and maneuver, highlighting the physical prowess this warrior commanded.
Interestingly, the armor isn’t just a fun fact about Goliath; it also serves as a stark contrast to David’s simple slingshot and five stones. This tale illustrates the power of faith and cleverness over sheer physical might. And if you think about it, being over-encumbered can lead to tragedy in battle, which plays into the larger theme of how often ‘strength’ can become a disadvantage when faced with disruptive ideas like courage and tenacity.
In the ancient world, where a warrior's strength was symbolized by their armor, Goliath’s heavy self-encasement can echo a lesson in battles surrounding personal struggles. How many times do we armor ourselves with fear or preconceived ideas, only to find a different approach can lead us to victory?
As an additional tidbit, the average height of a man in ancient times was between 5 to 6 feet, making Goliath's extraordinary height of around 9.5 feet legendary rarity—he redefined ‘giant’ in more ways than one! Goliath represents not just title physical intimidating stature, but potentially the very obstacles we face to live boldly.
Similar Bible Trivia Questions
How many shekels of brass did Goliath's coat of armour weigh?
1000
2000
3000
How heavy was the tip of Goliath's spear?
200 shekels (~5 lbs)
1000 shekels (~25 lbs)
2000 shekels (~50 lbs)
Where did David place Goliath's armour after the battle?
In his tent
Under an oak tree
In the temple
Whose mother took him a little coat once a year?
Jesus
David
Joseph
Whose armour-bearer killed him at his request?
Jonathan
Abimelech
Joab
Ephesians: How many different items make up the armour of God?
Six
Seven
Four
Which item of armour is a symbol of righteousness?
Helmet
Shield
Breastplate
In which book can we read of David and Goliath?
1 Kings
2 Samuel
1 Samuel
He won a sword fight
He threw a spear at him
He threw a burning torch at him