GOLIATH

Eleventh-century BC Philistine warrior from Gath, who challenged Israel to battle (1 Sm 17). He was subsequently felled and decapitated by the youthful David. Goliath was over nine feet (2.7 meters) tall, wore armor weighing about 125 pounds (56.8 kilograms), and carried a spear of 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) weight. His sword, kept at Nob, was later given to David (1 Sm 21:9; 22:10). He may have descended from the Anakim (see Jos 11:22), but his height could have resulted from an anterior pituitary tumor. In 2 Samuel 21:19 his death is attributed to Elhanan, who in 1 Chronicles 20:5 is credited with killing Goliath’s brother.