How tall was Goliath?

Jane Isley
Aug 8
2 min read

Updated: Sep 2

I don’t know, but let’s do the math.

1 Samuel 17:4 tells us: “A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.”

Awesome.👍 So, how tall was Goliath in American terms then?

I’d love to tell you it is one simple answer, but I learned it wasn’t quite that simple.

So, typically, a cubit was the length between the elbow and the tip of the middle finger. But there are other sources that say it can also be an elbow to the little finger and an elbow to the outstretched thumb.

Then I discovered that there were two types of cubit lengths in the Bible.

Now, Goliath wasn’t measured using the “cubit of the sanctuary” (1) measurement, which is the longer one. I just wanted to throw that little nugget in there because I didn’t even realize there was a difference till Ezekiel popped up in my searching.

Putting all that aside, and not wanting to conduct an extensive hair-pulling analysis, let’s try to clarify the general consensus on what a cubit and span are.

According to Britannica.com a cubit is “generally taken as equal to 18 inches” and “In some ancient cultures it was as long as 21 inches.”

We’ll be conservative and go with 18”.

Then we have a “span,” and that is considered to be from the tip of the little finger and the thumb when you fully extend your hand. From sources, it is generally 8” — 10”, but I’m going with one source’s conservative decision because hand sizes can vary.

We’ll go with 6" for a span.

So 18” and 6” — where does that put us?

6 x 18” = 108”, then we’ll add another 6” for span, and we come to 114".

Doesn’t sound like a lot, but for a visual comparison, I’m 69” (5’9”) and my husband is 75” (6’3”), we are both tall for our genders according to our national average standards and worldwide average standards.

Goliath trumps both of us. Using the conservative numbers, Goliath comes in at a whopping 9’ 5”. (at minimum I would say, in my personal opinion)

Silhouettes comparing heights of three figures on a chart: a woman, a man, and a giant figure. Text details their heights in cm and ft. — www.heightcomparison.com

Yeah. He really was a big, big guy, who got taken out by a young kid.

Never underestimate the power of God when He sets you to a task; there is no mountain or person who can stand in His way.

Hope you enjoyed!

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