Bible Mysteries: How tall was Goliath?

More Than Just Inches: Unpacking the Mystery of Goliath’s Height and Its Enduring Message

The story of David and Goliath is one of the most inspiring and beloved stories in the Bible, a beautiful picture of courage, faith, and the amazing victories God has in store for us.¹ When we think about David’s incredible triumph, many of us get curious about the details, especially how tall that giant Goliath really was.³ It’s a detail that makes David’s challenge look even bigger! What’s interesting is that the Bible itself gives us a little bit of a puzzle when it comes to Goliath’s exact height. But don’t you worry, because today we’re going to explore all the possibilities, look at the ancient ways they measured things, and discover what this all means for understanding this powerful, timeless story. You see, our fascination with Goliath’s height isn’t just about a number; it’s tied to how huge that obstacle seemed, and that speaks to the kinds of challenges we all might face in our own lives. People are often drawn to the biggest, the strongest, the wisest in these wonderful Bible stories. Goliath’s reported height is a key part that makes the story feel so “larger than life.” When we understand this detail with a clear and open heart, it can help us see the story in its historical setting while also appreciating its deep spiritual power, especially for all of us who are seeking to blend our faith with a desire to understand.

How Tall Was Goliath According to the Bible?

So, how tall was this giant Goliath, according to God’s Word? The main place we read about Goliath’s height is in 1 Samuel 17:4.³ This verse is part of that exciting buildup to the big showdown, and it introduces Goliath as the champion from Gath, fighting for the Philistines. But here’s where it gets interesting: when we look at the ancient copies of the Bible, they don’t all say the exact same thing about his height.

The measurement most people know comes from something called the Masoretic Text. This is the standard Hebrew Old Testament that most of our modern English Bibles are based on.⁶ This text tells us that Goliath was “six cubits and a span” tall.⁵ That’s the number many of us have heard.

But hold on, because there are other very old and important writings that give us a different number! These include some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, specifically a copy of the book of Samuel known as 4QSama. This is one of the oldest Hebrew copies we have of this passage! 1 And guess what? The Septuagint (that’s the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, made centuries before Jesus walked the earth) and the writings of a first-century Jewish historian named Flavius Josephus, they all say Goliath’s height was “four cubits and a span”.⁵ there are some other readings in different Dead Sea Scroll pieces that might suggest just “four cubits” (which is about six feet) 8 that “four cubits and a span” is the main alternative to what the Masoretic Text says.

These different measurements in cubits and spans mean Goliath could have been quite a bit different in height when we change it to our feet and inches today. We’ll talk more about that in the next section. But isn’t it amazing how God has preserved His Word through all these ancient writings? Seeing these variations isn’t something to shake our faith; no, it’s a wonderful window into how carefully the scriptures were passed down through ancient times and how people understood them. For those of us who love the Lord, hearing about differences in biblical numbers might seem a little unsettling at first. But I want to encourage you: don’t see this as an error that weakens the Bible. Instead, see it as a natural part of ancient history. When we understand how old and important sources like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint are, it can actually build our confidence in the careful ways scholars study to find the most original meanings in the text. It helps us ask questions with an honest and faithful heart.

What Are Cubits and Spans? Understanding Ancient Measurements.

Alright, to really get a picture of Goliath’s height, we need to understand these ancient measurements they used back then: cubits and spans. Don’t let the old words fool you; it’s simpler than it sounds!

A “cubit” was a very common way to measure length in the ancient world. Think of it like this: it’s generally the distance from a person’s elbow to the tip of their middle finger.⁴ A good estimate for a cubit is about 18 inches (that’s about 0.4572 meters or 45.⁷² centimeters).³ But here’s the thing: the exact length of a cubit wasn’t the same everywhere. It could change depending on the region or even the person doing the measuring! 3 For example, they had “royal cubits,” which were usually longer. The Egyptian royal cubit was about 20.⁶⁵ inches, and the Babylonian royal cubit was about 19.⁸ inches. Then there were “common cubits,” which were shorter.⁴ Some smart folks think a common cubit for an average person in ancient Israel might have been between 16 to 17 inches, while other sources say cubits could be up to 21 inches.⁴

A “span” was a smaller measurement. It’s the distance from the tip of your thumb to the tip of your little finger when you spread your hand out wide.⁴ A span was often thought of as half a cubit, which would make it around 9 inches (or about 0.2286 meters or 22.⁸⁶ centimeters).⁹ And just like the cubit, how long a span was would naturally depend on the size of someone’s hand.⁴

So, let’s do a little figuring and see how tall Goliath might have been, using that common 18-inch cubit and 9-inch span as a starting point:

If he was “Six cubits and a span” (like it says in the Masoretic Text): That’s (6 cubits x 18 inches per cubit) + 9 inches for the span = 108 inches + 9 inches = 117 inches. That’s 9 feet 9 inches tall (almost 3 meters)! 7 What a giant!
If he was “Four cubits and a span” (like it says in the Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Josephus): That’s (4 cubits x 18 inches per cubit) + 9 inches for the span = 72 inches + 9 inches = 81 inches. That comes out to 6 feet 9 inches (a little over 2 meters).⁷ Still a very tall man!

It’s also good to remember that if we used slightly different lengths for the cubit and span, these heights would change a bit. For instance, if we use a shorter common cubit of 16.⁵ inches and a span of 7.⁵ inches, like one scholar named Billington suggests 4:

The Masoretic Text’s “six cubits and a span” would be: (6 x 16.5) + 7.⁵ = 99 + 7.⁵ = 106.⁵ inches, or 8 feet 10.⁵ inches.
The Septuagint/Dead Sea Scrolls’ “four cubits and a span” would be: (4 x 16.5) + 7.⁵ = 66 + 7.⁵ = 73.⁵ inches, or 6 feet 1.⁵ inches.

Because these ancient measurements could vary, even if we knew for sure whether the original text said “four” or “six” cubits, getting an exact modern height is still an estimation. And that’s okay! It’s a common thing when we study ancient history. We love precision today it’s good to remember that ancient ways of measuring weren’t as strict as ours. Understanding this helps us appreciate the work of historians and Bible scholars and encourages us to look at things with a broader view instead of demanding an exact number down to the last inch. It also gently reminds us that the powerful spiritual message of this story doesn’t depend on pinpoint accuracy in measurements. God’s truth is bigger than that!

To help us see these differences clearly, here’s a little table showing Goliath’s possible height based on different ancient writings and how we think they measured:

Table: Goliath’s Height in Various Manuscripts and Measurement Systems

Manuscript Source	Biblical Measurement	Assumed Cubit (inches)	Assumed Span (inches)	Approx. Height (ft’in”)	Approx. Height (m)
Masoretic Text (MT)	Six cubits and a span	18	9	9’9″	2.97
Septuagint (LXX), 4QSam\<sup\>a\</sup\>, Josephus	Four cubits and a span	18	9	6’9″	2.06
Masoretic Text (MT) (alt. cubit)	Six cubits and a span	16.5	7.5	8’10.5″	2.71
LXX, 4QSam\<sup\>a\</sup\> (alt. cubit)	Four cubits and a span	16.5	7.5	6’1.5″	1.87
Chadwick’s Architectural Metric 12	Four cubits and a span	21.26 (54cm cubit)	8.66 (22cm span)	7’8″	2.38

This table helps us picture the range of possibilities and see what makes the height estimations different. Isn’t it fascinating?

Why Are There Different Heights for Goliath in Bible Manuscripts?

You might be wondering, “Why would there be different heights for Goliath in these ancient Bible manuscripts?” Well, it all comes down to the amazing journey of how God’s Word was passed down through different ancient traditions. Understanding these traditions helps us see why these differences can happen.

There’s the Masoretic Text (MT). This is the standard Hebrew Bible that was carefully preserved and copied by Jewish scribes, called Masoretes, mostly between the 7th and 10th centuries AD. The oldest complete copies of the MT that we have today are from around AD 935 to AD 1010.⁶ This Hebrew text is what most Protestant Old Testament translations are based on, and it’s where we get that “six cubits and a span” for Goliath’s height.⁵

Then, we have the Septuagint (LXX). This is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. It was made in stages between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC, which means it’s much older than our earliest complete Masoretic copies! The Septuagint was used a lot by Greek-speaking Jews and the early Christians, and it’s still the basis for the Old Testament in Eastern Orthodox churches and often looked at in Catholic Bible tradition.⁶ And the Septuagint consistently says Goliath’s height was “four cubits and a span”.⁵

And then there are the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS)! These are a treasure trove of ancient Jewish writings found in caves near a place called Qumran, dating from around the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD. These scrolls include the oldest copies we’ve ever found of many biblical books, including parts of the book of Samuel. One special scroll, called 4QSama, is our oldest Hebrew record for 1 Samuel 17:4, and it supports the reading of “four cubits and a span”.¹ What a discovery!

Plus, a famous Jewish historian named Flavius Josephus, who wrote in the 1st century AD, also wrote down Goliath’s height as “four cubits and a span” in his history books.⁶

So, why the difference? Scholars have a few ideas:

A Simple Mistake in Copying: One thought is that the Masoretic Text’s “six” might have been an unintentional mistake made by a scribe while copying. It’s been suggested that a scribe’s eye might have accidentally jumped down to verse 7 of 1 Samuel 17, which talks about Goliath’s spearhead weighing “six hundred shekels.” The scribe might have then mistakenly written “six cubits” in verse 4 instead of the original “four cubits”.⁵ This kind of mistake, where the eye jumps, is something that can happen when copying by hand.⁴ But some scholars think the “jump” in the text might be a bit too far for this type of error.⁵ It’s also good to know that some scholars feel the Masoretic Text of 1 and 2 Samuel might have more of these little copying errors compared to other Bible books. And, when the book of 1 Chronicles (which seems to have used an older version of Samuel) talks about the same events in Samuel and is different from the Masoretic Text, it often matches up with what the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scroll 4QSama say.¹
An Intentional Change by a Scribe: Other ideas involve the possibility that scribes might have changed it on purpose for certain reasons.
To make Goliath seem even taller (affecting the MT): Some scholars think that if the original number was “four cubits and a span,” a later scribe might have intentionally changed it to “six cubits and a span.” Why? Maybe to make David’s victory over Goliath seem even more miraculous and amazing by making the giant sound even bigger! 5
To make Goliath seem a bit shorter (affecting the tradition leading to LXX/DSS): On the other hand, if the original reading was the taller “six cubits and a span,” it’s possible a scribe changed it to the shorter “four cubits and a span.” A reason for this could be related to King Saul. In 1 Samuel 9:2, it says Saul was “a head taller than anyone else in all Israel”.⁷ If Goliath were “only” around 6 feet 9 inches, he’d still be very tall maybe closer in height to the very tall King Saul. This could make Saul’s fear and his not stepping up to Goliath’s challenge look even worse, highlighting that he wasn’t the right king and making a stronger contrast with David’s amazing courage.⁵

The careful study of these ancient writings and the possible reasons for these little differences is part of something called textual criticism. This helps scholars understand the history of the Bible text and appreciate how carefully scribes generally passed it down, even though tiny variations could happen over centuries of copying. When we hear about “scribal error” or “intentional change,” it might sound a bit concerning at first. But I want to encourage you: textual criticism is a serious scholarly effort aimed at figuring out the most original reading of the text based on all the evidence we have. These variations are usually very small and don’t change the core beliefs or teachings of our Christian faith.⁵ Discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls, which give us Hebrew texts much older than the Masoretic copies we had before for books like Samuel 1, have been such a blessing in helping us understand the Bible’s history. This process also shows us that ancient scribes sometimes interacted with the text in dynamic ways, occasionally interpreting or emphasizing certain things as they copied. Isn’t God’s Word amazing?

Which Measurement for Goliath’s Height Is More Likely Correct?

So, the big question is, which measurement for Goliath’s height is more likely the original one? Deciding this with absolute certainty is a bit like putting together a very old puzzle, and good, smart scholars have different views. It often comes down to weighing the evidence from outside the text (like how old and reliable the manuscripts are) against evidence from inside the text (like how scribes tended to work and how the story flows).

The main evidence from outside the text that supports “four cubits and a span” (that’s about 6 feet 9 inches) is pretty strong. This reading is found in:

4QSama from the Dead Sea Scrolls: this is the oldest Hebrew manuscript we have for this verse! It dates to the 1st century BC, which is about a thousand years older than the earliest complete Masoretic Text manuscript of Samuel.¹ That’s incredible!
Major early Septuagint (LXX) manuscripts: Important and ancient Greek copies like Vaticanus and Alexandrinus also support this shorter height.⁴
The writings of Josephus: That 1st-century AD Jewish historian also wrote down this measurement.⁶ Many scholars feel that this combination of early Hebrew and Greek evidence, along with what Josephus said, is very convincing. It suggests that “four cubits and a span” has earlier and perhaps better support from these ancient sources.¹

Arguments from inside the text and how scribes worked also play a part:

Arguments that “four cubits and a span” was original: Scholars like J. Daniel Hays believe it’s easier to explain how “four” might have been changed to “six.” Perhaps it was a scribe’s mistake, influenced by the “six hundred shekels” in verse 7, or maybe it was an intentional exaggeration to make David’s victory even bigger.¹ Also, as we mentioned, some feel the Masoretic Text of Samuel isn’t as perfectly preserved as other Bible books.¹
Arguments that “six cubits and a span” was original: Other scholars suggest that the taller height found in the Masoretic Text is “probably more likely original”.⁵ Their thinking often centers on the idea that a later scribe would have had a stronger reason to make Goliath shorter rather than taller, if he was already an impressive 6 feet 9 inches. And that reason, as we talked about, could be to make King Saul’s fear look even more striking, since Saul himself was very tall (1 Samuel 9:2).⁵ Plus, the Masoretic Text was the accepted and authoritative text in Rabbinic Judaism.¹¹ The “six cubits and a span” reading is also seen in Symmachus’s Greek translation from around AD 200 and in Origen’s Hexapla (a 3rd-century AD scholarly comparison of Old Testament versions). This shows that this taller measurement has ancient roots in the textual tradition that led to the MT.⁶

With all these different pieces of evidence and scholarly thoughts, it’s understandable that it’s hard to come to a final, definite answer. As one source says, “We cannot be certain of the original text here”.⁵ And that’s okay!

This uncertainty is sometimes shown in our modern Bible translations:

The English Standard Version (ESV), for example, translates it as “six cubits and a span” but has a little note saying, “Hebrew; Septuagint, Dead Sea Scroll and Josephus four”.⁵
The New English Translation (NET Bible) goes with the shorter reading, saying Goliath’s height was “close to seven feet tall.” Its note explains the textual reasons, favoring the Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Josephus, and suggests Goliath’s height might have been exaggerated as the story was retold.⁶
The New American Bible, a Catholic translation, gives the height as “six and a half feet tall,” which lines up with the shorter measurement.¹

This ongoing discussion among scholars is a healthy part of biblical studies. It shows a deep desire to understand the Bible as accurately as possible. Choosing between readings often depends on how different kinds of evidence are weighed—like the age of manuscripts versus ideas about why scribes might have made changes. Presenting both sides of this scholarly discussion, instead of just saying one view is absolutely right, builds trust and shows honesty. It lets us appreciate that these are complex issues without simple answers. It also highlights that different, well-respected Bible translations might come to different conclusions based on their own approach to the text. This empowers us to look at things like footnotes in our own Bibles with greater understanding. God’s Word is rich and deep!

How Tall Were Average Men in Biblical Times Compared to Goliath?

To really feel the impact of Goliath’s size, let’s think about how tall he was compared to the average man living back in the Ancient Near East during the Iron Age. That’s the time period when the story of David and Goliath happened, around 1000 BC.

Estimates for the average height of men in that era usually range from about 5 feet to 5 feet 6 inches.⁴ Some sources even suggest a shorter average, around 5 feet to 5 feet 2 inches, noting that being 6 feet tall would have been considered “extraordinary” in the ancient world.¹⁴ When archaeologists have looked at skeletons from the Aegean region and Canaan from a slightly earlier but relevant time, they found the average male height was around 1.⁶⁴ meters, or about 5 feet 4.⁵ inches. Heroes or important people might have been taller, maybe around 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 11 inches.⁶ More specifically for Goliath, who was a Philistine from Gath, findings from a Philistine cemetery at Ashkelon (though from a bit later than David’s time) showed an average male height of about 5 feet 1 inch.¹⁵ This lower average height might have been because those people didn’t always have the best nutrition.¹⁵

Let’s compare Goliath’s two main reported heights to these averages:

If Goliath was 9 feet 9 inches tall (like the Masoretic Text says, using an 18-inch cubit), he would have been towering over the average man by more than four feet! That would have made him a truly colossal figure, a giant in every sense of the word.
If Goliath was 6 feet 9 inches tall (like the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls say, using an 18-inch cubit), he would still have been exceptionally tall for his time. He’d be well over a foot taller than the average man and much taller than most people he would have met.⁸ A height of 6 feet 9 inches was still considered “very tall for the time of David and Goliath”.¹³

An important person to compare him to in the story itself is King Saul. The Bible tells us Saul was “a head taller than anyone else in all Israel” (1 Samuel 9:2).⁷ So, if the average Israelite man was, say, between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 6 inches, then Saul might have been over 6 feet tall, maybe even quite a bit taller.⁷ Commentators often point out that Saul, being the tallest Israelite and the king, should have been the one to step up and accept Goliath’s challenge.⁷ If Goliath were “only” 6 feet 9 inches, he would be in a similar height range as the exceptionally tall Saul. This makes Saul’s fear and his doing nothing even more noticeable and really highlights his failure as a leader compared to David’s amazing courage.⁴

No matter which ancient writing we prefer for Goliath’s height, it’s clear he was much, much taller than the people around him. This made him an incredibly imposing and scary figure on the battlefield. The numbers for Goliath’s height are impressive on their own we only really get their full impact when we compare them to the average height of his day. This comparison helps us picture the scene more clearly and appreciate the huge psychological advantage Goliath had. And that detail about King Saul’s height? It’s not just a random fact; it’s a key part of the story that critiques Saul’s leadership and sets the stage for David to emerge as a true leader chosen by God. God always has a plan!

What Does Archaeology Say About Giants or Exceptionally Tall People in Goliath’s Time?

Archaeology, the study of ancient things, gives us wonderful context for understanding the world of David and Goliath. Though, it’s good to know that direct skeletal proof of people matching that nine-foot height described in some texts hasn’t been found.

When we look at general skeletal remains from the Ancient Near East during the Iron Age, archaeology hasn’t turned up human skeletons that would be 9 or 10 feet tall.⁴ Excavations at Philistine sites, like that cemetery at Ashkelon, have given us skeletal remains. The males found there averaged around 5 feet 1 inch in height, with no evidence of “giants” among them.¹⁵ Professor Aren Maeir, who has excavated Tell es-Safi (believed to be the biblical city of Gath, Goliath’s hometown) for a long time, has said that “All Philistine skeletal remains discovered so far have shown absolutely no evidence that the people were larger or different from normal-sized people”.¹⁷

But archaeology at Gath (Tell es-Safi) has revealed other very interesting things! Gath was a major Philistine city, one of the five big cities of the Philistines, and excavations show it was a very large and strongly fortified place during the Iron Age.¹⁷ There’s a major layer of destruction at Gath, dated to the 9th century BCE (a bit later than the traditional time for David and Goliath it reflects the culture of Philistine Gath), that some have called the “Goliath layer.” This layer had buildings made with unusually large stones, some measuring one to two meters long – much bigger than typical for building in that area during that time.¹⁷ This suggests a culture that could do some amazing construction, or maybe a society that really valued strength and power. What’s more, a piece of pottery found at Gath, reliably dated to the 10th to mid-9th centuries BC, has an inscription with two names, ‘LWT and WLT. These names are related in their roots to the Hebrew name Goliath (גלית, GLYT). This suggests that names similar to Goliath were being used in Gath during that period.¹⁶ Isn’t that fascinating?

An intriguing idea from archaeology about Goliath’s height comes from a scholar named Jeffrey Chadwick.¹² He proposes that the “four cubits and a span” measurement might not be about Goliath’s literal physical height but could be a symbolic architectural measurement. Chadwick’s research into ancient Near Eastern ways of measuring led him to identify a common cubit of 54 centimeters (about 21.²⁶ inches) and a span of 22 centimeters (about 8.⁶⁶ inches) used in Iron Age building at places like Gath and et-Tell (possibly the biblical city of Bethsaida). Using these specific architectural measurements, “four cubits and a span” calculates to 2.³⁸ meters, or 7 feet 10 inches. And get this: Chadwick found that the walls of the city gate at Gath and the inner pillars of the city gate at et-Tell measured exactly this width—2.³⁸ meters! 19 Based on this, Chadwick suggests that the ancient writer of 1 Samuel might have used this known architectural dimension to describe Goliath’s height. The idea would have been to symbolically show that Goliath was “as big and strong as his city’s walls”—a powerful way of expressing how formidable and intimidating he was, rather than giving a precise physical measurement.¹⁹ What an amazing thought!

So, Although we don’t have direct skeletal evidence for nine-foot individuals in the ancient Near East, archaeology does give us valuable context about Philistine culture, the importance of Gath, and even potential symbolic ways to understand Goliath’s reported size. Many of us look to archaeology to confirm biblical accounts, and it’s important to see what archaeology does and doesn’t say. The lack of 9-foot skeletons might lead some to question the literalness of the Masoretic Text’s number. But findings at Gath, like its large fortifications and the presence of Goliath-like names, offer supportive environmental context for the story. And Chadwick’s architectural theory provides an interesting way to understand the “four cubits and a span” measurement with a rich symbolic meaning. This could be very appealing if literal gigantism seems problematic. This shows that scholarship can offer various ways to understand challenging biblical details. The absence of one type of evidence (like giant skeletons) doesn’t necessarily take away from the core narrative but encourages us to read with even more thoughtfulness and nuance. God works in mysterious and wonderful ways!

Were There Other “Giants” Mentioned in the Bible Besides Goliath?

Yes, ! The Old Testament scriptures tell us about other individuals and even whole groups of people who were described as being very tall or were called by terms often translated as “giants.” Goliath wasn’t the only one; he fits into a broader biblical pattern of very large and intimidating adversaries. God’s people faced big challenges!

The Anakim (or sons of Anak): This group is probably the most famous. When the twelve Israelite spies checked out the land of Canaan before the Exodus generation was supposed to enter, they reported seeing the Anakim, describing them as a “people great and tall” (Deuteronomy 9:2).³ The spies’ fearful report famously said, “we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them” (Numbers 13:33).² Can you imagine? After the Israelites conquered the land under Joshua, some Anakim were said to have found refuge in Philistine cities, including Gath, Ashdod, and Gaza (Joshua 11:21-22). This has led some to think that Goliath might have been a descendant of these Anakim.³
The Rephaim: This is another group linked with giant stature in the Old Testament. They’re mentioned in various places, including Genesis 14:5, where they were defeated by a group of kings, and Deuteronomy 2:10-11, 20-21, where they are described as a people “great and many, and tall as the Anakim”.²² King Og of Bashan, an enemy defeated by the Israelites under Moses, was described as one of the “last of the Rephaim.” His bed (or maybe it was a sarcophagus) was said to be made of iron and was enormous—nine cubits long and four cubits wide by the common cubit (Deuteronomy 3:11).²² The term “Rephaim” can also have a different meaning in some poetic and prophetic texts, where it seems to refer to the spirits of the dead or those in Sheol (like in Job 26:5; Psalm 88:10; Isaiah 14:9, 26:14) 22, which adds a layer of mystery and even dread to the term.
The Nephilim: These are mysterious figures mentioned mainly in Genesis 6:4, before the story of Noah’s flood. They are described as the children of “the sons of God” (some interpret this as fallen angels, others as righteous men from Seth’s family line) and “the daughters of men.” These children were called Nephilim and were known as “the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown”.²⁴ The term “Nephilim” itself is sometimes translated as “giants” 24, though its Hebrew root naphal means “to fall,” leading to translations like “fallen ones”.²² Interestingly, those frightened Israelite spies in Numbers 13:33 also claimed to have seen Nephilim in the land of Canaan, and they specifically linked them with the Anakim: “And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim)”.²⁰
Other Philistine Giants: Beyond Goliath himself, the Bible records encounters with other Philistine warriors of great size, some of whom were specifically from Gath and possibly related to Goliath. We read about these in 2 Samuel 21:15-22 and 1 Chronicles 20:4-8.²³ These giants included:
Ishbi-benob, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who had a new sword. He nearly killed David but was struck down by Abishai.
Saph (or Sippai), who was also a descendant of the “giant” (or Rephaim) and was killed by Sibbecai the Hushathite.
A third unnamed giant from Gath who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—a man of great stature, also said to be descended from the giant. He taunted Israel and was killed by Jonathan, the son of Shimei, David’s brother.²³
The passage in 2 Samuel 21:19 mentions Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killing “Goliath the Gittite.” This has led to some scholarly discussion about whether there were two Goliaths or if an earlier tradition said Elhanan killed Goliath before it was attributed to David. But 1 Chronicles 20:5 clarifies that Elhanan killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite.

The fact that we have these various accounts of “giants” or exceptionally large and formidable peoples throughout the Old Testament shows a recurring theme. These figures often represent huge challenges for Israel, and their defeat usually highlights the need for God’s help and His mighty power. Goliath’s story fits right into this broader biblical pattern of fearsome opponents who challenge God’s people. Understanding that Goliath isn’t the only “giant” in the Bible gives us a richer context for his story. It connects his showdown with David to a larger theme about Israel’s struggles, the nature of true strength, and God’s power to overcome even the most intimidating enemies. For us as Christians, this can reinforce themes of spiritual warfare and the assurance that great obstacles can be overcome through faith. These “giant” figures often symbolize more than just physical size; they represent daunting, seemingly invincible powers that stand against God’s purposes. But God is greater!

What Did the Early Church Fathers Teach About David, Goliath, and Giants?

The early Church Fathers – those influential Christian thinkers, bishops, and writers from the first few centuries after Christ – were so important in shaping Christian belief and how we understand the Bible. When they looked at the story of David and Goliath, their main focus was often on its deeper spiritual meaning and how it pointed to Jesus, rather than on a literal, word-for-word breakdown of details like Goliath’s exact height. For these wise Fathers, David was often seen as a type, or a foreshadowing, of Jesus Christ, while Goliath was often interpreted as a type of Satan, sin, or the overwhelming power of evil.² What a powerful way to see it!

Here are some specific examples of how these Church Fathers found incredible meaning in these themes:

Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430): One of the most influential theologians in Western Christianity, Augustine drew powerful spiritual lessons from the David and Goliath story.
He famously saw David’s victory over Goliath as a foreshadowing of Christ’s defeat of the Devil. Augustine pointed out that David used Goliath’s own sword to cut off his head, symbolizing how Christ defeated the devil with his own weapons—for instance, by turning the devil’s powerful human followers to faith through the preaching of the Gospel, thereby using the devil’s former tools against him.² Isn’t that amazing?
Augustine also saw the story as showing the power of God’s grace in helping believers overcome sin and temptation.⁹
Regarding the “giants” or Nephilim mentioned in Genesis 6, Augustine, in his famous book City of God, seemed to lean towards the view that they were simply exceptionally large and strong human beings. He noted that such remarkably tall individuals existed even after the Flood and could still be found in his own time.²⁴
Jerome (c. AD 347-420): The scholar who gave us the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible, Jerome also commented on these themes.
In the Vulgate, Jerome translated the Hebrew word Nephilim (Genesis 6:4) as gigantes (“giants”), following what the Septuagint had done.²⁶
But in his Hebrew Questions on Genesis, Jerome looked into the meaning of Nephilim, noting that it means “falling ones” (from the Hebrew annaphilim). He suggested this could refer to fallen angels or their children, or more broadly to violent men, thereby emphasizing their character and actions rather than just their physical size.²⁴
In a letter to Augustine, Jerome offered a symbolic interpretation of David choosing five smooth stones from the stream. He suggested they represented pure feelings, free from the roughness and pollution of the world, with which David (and by extension, the believer armed with virtue) confronts evil.²⁸ What a beautiful picture!
John Chrysostom (c. AD 347-407): Known as the “Golden-mouthed” preacher for his amazing speaking ability, Chrysostom would have undoubtedly used the powerful imagery of the David and Goliath story in his sermons to teach spiritual truths about faith, courage, and God’s power.³¹ Although we might not have many direct comments from him on Goliath’s height, his broader teaching on Christ’s authority and the power of faith fits perfectly with the core messages of this story.³²

Other Fathers on Giants:

Theodoret of Cyrus (c. AD 393 – c. 458/466): This bishop and theologian from the School of Antioch, known for a more literal approach to scripture, believed in the literal existence of giants. He based his view on the multiple times the Bible mentions men of great stature.²⁴
Caesarius of Arles (c. AD 470-542) and Maximus of Turin (died c. AD 408-423): These later Western Fathers also gave us typological interpretations. Caesarius saw Jesse sending David with food for his brothers as a picture of God the Father sending His Son, Jesus, with the spiritual nourishment of the Law (ten loaves for the Ten Commandments) and the Trinity (an ephah of grain, a quantity of three measures) to free His people from the power of the devil. Maximus of Turin interpreted Goliath being struck by David’s stone as being struck down by the power of Christ (referencing Psalm 118:22, the stone the builders rejected). He suggested Goliath’s forehead was open to death because it didn’t have the “Savior’s seal,” the sign of God’s grace.²⁸ So much depth!

Regarding the Nephilim of Genesis 6, there wasn’t one single, agreed-upon view among the Church Fathers. Some, like Theodoret, accepted the idea of literal, exceptionally tall people. Others, like Jerome, explored the meanings of the words (“falling ones,” “violent ones”), suggesting these terms might describe more than just physical size, perhaps pointing to a violent or rebellious nature.²⁴ The Church as a whole doesn’t have an official, set-in-stone teaching on exactly what the Nephilim were. Some early Christian writers did think about fallen angels being involved, while others, including Augustine (who thought the “sons of God” were from Seth’s good family line and the “daughters of men” from Cain’s not-so-good line), and many later interpreters, favored a purely human origin for these figures.²⁵

The Church Fathers found deep and lasting spiritual meaning in the story of David and Goliath. Their main way of understanding it was often typological – seeing in David a foreshadowing of Christ and in Goliath a symbol of the spiritual enemies Christ would conquer. Their focus on this Christ-centered interpretation shows how the story has always been read in the Christian tradition for its incredible theological richness, which goes far beyond just the historical or literal details. This approach shows that the early church leaders valued the story primarily for the spiritual battle it represented and the ultimate victory of God’s anointed one, rather than being overly concerned with the exact measurement of Goliath’s cubits and spans. For us as Christians today, understanding this emphasis from the Fathers can model a way of reading Scripture that seeks deeper, Christ-centered meanings – a way of understanding that is common in many Christian traditions. God always has more to show us in His Word!

What Is the Theological Significance of Goliath’s Height in the Story?

Goliath’s incredible height, whether we picture him closer to seven feet or nearly ten feet, is so much more than just a physical detail in that amazing Bible story in 1 Samuel 17. It’s a powerful literary and theological tool that makes the story’s main themes about God’s amazing power, the nature of true faith, and what real leadership looks like shine even brighter!

A Symbol of Overwhelming Obstacles: Goliath’s towering size symbolizes a challenge that seems absolutely impossible to overcome. He’s presented as an enemy who brings deep fear and paralysis to the entire Israelite army, even their king, Saul.³ His height, along with his heavy armor and scary weapons (described in 1 Samuel 17:5-7), created an image of someone who just couldn’t be beaten from a purely human point of view.³ You can almost feel that sense of hopelessness in the Israelite camp.³³ But God is bigger than any giant!
Highlighting God’s Unbelievable Power: The bigger and stronger Goliath seemed, the more magnificent and undeniable God’s power appears when He brings about Goliath’s defeat. And the victory doesn’t come through an equally huge warrior, no! It comes through the young shepherd boy, David, who was lightly armed.³ This incredible contrast shouts out the theological point that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. David himself gives all the glory to God, declaring, “the battle is the LORD’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).³ Goliath’s defeat is a dramatic display of God stepping in!
Emphasizing David’s Powerful Faith: Goliath’s height serves as a mighty contrast to David’s courageous and unwavering faith. Although the experienced soldiers of Israel, including King Saul, saw an unbeatable giant, David saw “this uncircumcised Philistine” who dared to “defy the armies of the living God” (1 Samuel 17:26, 36).³ David’s view was shaped by his faith! His confidence wasn’t in his own abilities; it was rooted in his past experiences of God delivering him (rescuing his flock from a lion and a bear, 1 Samuel 17:34-37) and his deep trust in the name and power of Yahweh (1 Samuel 17:45).³ That’s the kind of faith that moves mountains!
A Critique of Saul’s Lack of Faith and Failed Leadership: King Saul, even though he was chosen by God and was physically imposing himself (“a head taller than anyone else in Israel,” 1 Samuel 9:2), was paralyzed by fear when he faced Goliath’s challenge (1 Samuel 17:11).⁷ Goliath’s presence and his taunts effectively showed Saul’s spiritual weakness and his unfitness to be the true king and deliverer of Israel. This is in sharp contrast to David’s faith-filled courage and initiative.⁷ The story uses Goliath as a test of Israel’s leadership, showing that true kingship, in God’s eyes, relies on faith and obedience to God, not just on human height or worldly power.¹⁶ God looks at the heart!
The Triumph of Divine Order over Chaos: In the broader way people thought in the Ancient Near East, exceptionally large and monstrous figures were often seen as representing chaos and forces that were hostile to God’s order and cosmic stability. Goliath, with his intimidating presence and his defiant challenge to God’s people, can be understood in this way. His defeat by David, God’s anointed one, therefore, signifies the triumph of God’s righteousness, justice, and sovereign order over the forces of chaos and evil.⁹ Victory belongs to the Lord!
Symbolic Height (Chadwick’s Architectural Theory): If we consider Jeffrey Chadwick’s idea that Goliath’s reported height of “four cubits and a span” (which would be 7 feet 10 inches using his architectural cubit) was a symbolic reference to the impressive size of Gath’s city walls 12, this adds another layer to the theological meaning. In this view, David, through God’s power, overcame not just a physically huge man the very symbol of Philistine might, power, and their seeming invincibility as represented by their great city of Gath. God can bring down any stronghold!

So, you see, Goliath’s height is not just a minor detail. It’s a carefully used part of the story that builds the drama, clarifies what’s at stake, and drives home the story’s core theological messages. It forces us, along with the ancient Israelites in the story, to face the huge difference between how humans see power and God’s actual, limitless power. It shines a light on the nature of true faith that looks beyond what we can see to the unseen reality of God’s presence and His capability. And it gives us a clear picture of the qualities of God-ordained leadership, which are built on trust in God rather than on human strength or worldly credentials. God is looking for faithful hearts!

Conclusion

the question of Goliath’s exact height is a fascinating one, and it takes us on an amazing journey into ancient texts, old ways of measuring, and scholarly thought. The biblical manuscripts themselves give us two main figures: the Masoretic Text’s “six cubits and a span” (which is roughly 9 feet 9 inches, or maybe around 8 feet 10.⁵ inches with a shorter cubit) and the “four cubits and a span” (roughly 6 feet 9 inches, or maybe around 6 feet 1.⁵ inches with a shorter cubit) found in the Septuagint, key Dead Sea Scrolls, and the writings of Josephus.

While scholars continue to discuss it, there are strong reasons, especially from the age and agreement of early manuscript evidence, that favor the shorter figure of “four cubits and a span.” This would still make Goliath an exceptionally tall and intimidating warrior for his time, towering over the average man by well over a foot.⁴ Archaeological findings, while not giving us direct proof of nine-foot individuals, offer wonderful context about Philistine culture and have even led to theories suggesting Goliath’s reported height might have carried a symbolic architectural meaning, linking his scariness to the strength of his city, Gath.¹²

But whether Goliath stood closer to seven feet or nearly ten, the core message of the David and Goliath story remains powerful and unchanged. The story’s enduring strength lies not in the precise measurement of the giant in its powerful demonstration of God’s sovereignty and the beautiful triumph of faith over fear.³ David’s victory was a testament to his unwavering trust in the Lord, a shining light compared to the terror that gripped the rest of Israel, including their king.

For us as Christians, this story continues to be a source of incredible inspiration and a powerful reminder that with God, no challenge is truly too big to overcome. It calls us to face our own “Goliaths”—whether they are personal struggles or societal evils—with the same courage, faith, and reliance on God’s power that David showed, knowing deep in our hearts that “the battle is the LORD’s.” You are destined for victory!