Decoder Terminal
GOLIATH OF GATH
High-Value Target (HVT)
Personnel FileSpecs
height
6 cubits and a span (~9'9")
origin
Gath (Philistia)
spearhead
Iron, 600 shekels (~15 lbs)
coat of mail
Bronze, 5,000 shekels (~125 lbs)
shield bearer
Yes — dedicated support
Intelligence Brief
Goliath's physical dimensions were documented with precision: six cubits and a span (~9'9"), coat of mail at 5,000 shekels of bronze (~125 lbs), iron spearhead at 600 shekels (~15 lbs), greaves of bronze, bronze javelin between his shoulders. A dedicated shield bearer walked ahead of him. This was not a soldier — this was a weapons platform with its own logistics chain. The psychological effect was total and immediate: Saul and all Israel were dismayed and greatly afraid (17:11). Every professional soldier in the field ran a calculation and came up short. David ran the same calculation with a different constant in the equation.
Scripture References