1 Samuel 17:4
And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּצֵ֤א
And there went out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֤א
And there went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 12
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אִֽישׁ
a champion
H376
אִֽישׁ
a champion
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 12
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַבֵּנַ֙יִם֙
H1143
מִמַּֽחֲנ֣וֹת
out of the camp
H4264
מִמַּֽחֲנ֣וֹת
out of the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
4 of 12
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
5 of 12
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
שְׁמ֖וֹ
named
H8034
שְׁמ֖וֹ
named
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
7 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שֵׁ֥שׁ
was six
H8337
שֵׁ֥שׁ
was six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
10 of 12
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
Cross References
Joshua 11:22There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.1 Samuel 17:23And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
Historical Context
Gath was one of five Philistine city-states and home to other giants (2 Samuel 21:22). Representative combat, where armies agreed to abide by single combat's outcome, was practiced throughout the ancient Mediterranean. Such combat reduced casualties while settling disputes through perceived divine judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'giants' in your life seem humanly impossible to overcome?
- How does Goliath's impressive appearance represent the intimidating nature of spiritual opposition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
Goliath's emergence as 'champion' (ish habbenayim, literally 'man of the between') suggests a professional warrior designated for representative combat. His height of 'six cubits and a span' (approximately 9.5 feet) placed him in legendary proportions, though some manuscripts read 'four cubits' (6.5 feet). Either way, Goliath represented humanly insurmountable opposition - the kind of giant that paralyzes faith and invites despair.