Your Bible trivia questions answered by Phil Logos...

How Tall was Goliath?

The biblical figure Goliath, the Philistine warrior famously defeated by David, is one of the most iconic giants in scripture. However, the exact height of Goliath has been a subject of scholarly debate due to discrepancies in ancient texts. While 1 Samuel 17:4 in the Masoretic Text (MT), the traditional Hebrew Bible, describes Goliath as “six cubits and a span” (approximately 9 feet 9 inches or 2.97 meters), the Greek Septuagint (LXX) and some Dead Sea Scrolls present a different figure—”four cubits and a span” (about 6 feet 9 inches or 2.06 meters). This discrepancy raises important questions about textual transmission, cultural context, and the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative.

Context: The Race of Giants and the Philistines

To understand the significance of Goliath’s height, it is crucial to consider the broader context of “giants” in biblical literature and the historical background of the Philistines. The Bible references a race of giants, known as the Nephilim, first mentioned in Genesis 6:4 as the offspring of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men.” Later texts, such as Numbers 13:33, describe the Anakim, descendants of the Nephilim, who were of great stature and feared by the Israelites.

The Philistines, Goliath’s people, were a group of sea peoples who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan around the 12th century BCE. Known for their advanced military technology, including the use of iron weapons, the Philistines were formidable adversaries of the Israelites. Goliath, as depicted in 1 Samuel 17, represents not only a personal threat to David but also the larger menace posed by the Philistine military presence.

Discrepancies in Goliath’s Height

The primary source of discrepancy regarding Goliath’s height comes from the varying ancient manuscripts of the Bible. The MT, which has been the basis for most traditional Jewish and Christian texts, records Goliath’s height as six cubits and a span. This measurement fits the image of Goliath as an imposing giant, far larger than the average man, and adds to the drama of David’s unlikely victory.

However, the LXX, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible dating back to the 3rd century BCE, gives Goliath’s height as four cubits and a span. This is significantly shorter, portraying Goliath as a large, but not superhumanly tall, warrior. The Dead Sea Scrolls, which include some of the oldest known copies of biblical texts, also contain references to this shorter height in certain fragments.

Scholars have proposed several theories to explain these discrepancies. One suggestion is that the shorter height in the LXX and Dead Sea Scrolls may reflect an older or alternate tradition that was eventually superseded by the version found in the MT. Another possibility is that the number “four cubits and a span” could be the result of a copying error, where a scribe mistakenly altered the original text, either accidentally or intentionally, to harmonize with other biblical figures or to emphasize David’s feat.

A third theory considers the potential influence of the “Spear of Goliath,” mentioned in 1 Samuel 17:7, which describes the size of Goliath’s spear as having a shaft “like a weaver’s beam.” Some scholars argue that this description, combined with the confusion over cubits and spans, could have led to textual corruption over time.

Implications and Interpretations

The question of Goliath’s height is more than just a matter of biblical trivia; it touches on the broader issues of how ancient texts were transmitted, copied, and interpreted across centuries. The variation between the MT and the LXX illustrates the complexities of biblical textual criticism and the challenges in determining the “original” text.

Moreover, Goliath’s stature, whether giant-like or merely tall, serves as a narrative device in the story of David’s victory. The discrepancy in height does not diminish the theological message of the text but rather invites deeper reflection on the nature of biblical storytelling and the historical realities behind these ancient accounts.

In conclusion, while Goliath is traditionally depicted as a towering giant, the actual height attributed to him varies significantly across ancient manuscripts. Whether standing at over 9 feet or just under 7, Goliath’s role as a symbol of the formidable enemies faced by Israel remains a central theme in the biblical narrative.