Bible Commentary

1 Samuel 17:4

1 Samuel 17:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Canne, Browne, Blayney, Scott, and others · Public Domain

six cubits: According to Bp. Cumberland's calculation, the height of Goliath was about eleven feet ten inches; but Parkhurst estimating the ordinary cubit at seventeen inches and a half, calculates that he was nine feet six inches high. Few instances can be produced of men who can be compared with him. Pliny says, "The tallest man that hath been seen in our days was one name Gabara, who, in the days of Claudius, the late Emperor, was brought out of Arabia. He was nine feet nine inches." Josephus mentions a Jew, named Eleazar, whom Vitellius sent to Rome, who was seven cubits, or ten feet two inches high. Becanus saw a man near ten feet, and a woman that was full ten feet. And, to mention no more, a man of the name of John Middleton, born at Hale, near Warrington, in Lancashire, in the reign of James the First, was more than nine feet high. Dr. Plott, in his history of Staffordshire, says, that "his hand, from the carpus to the end of the middle finger, was seventeen inches, his palms eight inches and a half broad, and his whole height was nine feet three inches; wanting but six inches of the height of Goliath of Gath."

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for 1 Samuel 17:4

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

1 Samuel 17 — Overview1 Samuel 17 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleDavid is the man whom God now delights to honour, for he is a man after his own heart. We read in the foregoing chapter how, after he was anointed, Providence made him famous in the court; we read in this…1 Samuel 17 — Overview1 Samuel 17 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Samuel 17:1, The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle, 1 Samuel 17:4, Goliath challenges a combat; 1 Samuel 17:12, David, sent by his father to visit his brethren, takes the challenge; 1…1 Samuel 17 — Overview1 Samuel 17 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter relates how the armies of Israel, and of the Philistines, prepared for battle, and where, 1Sa 17:1, describes a champion of the Philistines, who defied the armies of Israel, 1Sa 17:4, and while he was so…1 Samuel 17:1-111 Samuel 17:1-11 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleIt was not long ago that the Philistines were soundly beaten, and put to the worse, before Israel, and they would have been totally routed if Saul's rashness had not prevented; but here we have them making head…1 Samuel 17:1-191 Samuel 17:1-19 · The Pulpit CommentaryADVANCE OF DAVID IN REPUTATION BY THE SLAUGHTER OF GOLIATH (1 Samuel 17:1-58.). EXPOSITION GOLIATH'S DEFIANCE OF ISRAEL (1 Samuel 17:1-11). 1 Samuel 17:1 The Philistines gathered together their armies. As the object…1 Samuel 17:41 Samuel 17:4 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines,.... Or a "middle person", or a man "between two" ; meaning either one that went and stood between the two armies of Israel and the Philistines, as the…