How tall was Goliath? Scientists reveal the surprising height of the Biblical giant
How tall was Goliath? Scientists reveal the surprising height of the Biblical giant
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Goliath is a Biblical figure so gargantuan that his very name has become a byword for immense size. In the famous story, he was a Philistine warrior who towered above his fellow soldiers and battled with the future King David. Estimates based on the Bible's account vary from a fairly unimpressive six feet to a monstrous height of nine feet and nine inches.
![[Goliath was considered to be a giant by the ancient Israelites, with some estimates putting his height between nine and ten feet tall. However, his height might have been exaggerated in portrayals like this painting by Caravaggio]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/24/14/94478089-14317919-image-m-19_1737729185947.jpg)
But just how big was this biblical giant in reality?. Although it might seem strange, scientists say there was nothing supernatural about Goliath's towering stature. Archaeologists have found the remains of other 'giants' dating back as far as 2700 BC - around the time of the biblical battle.
![[According to some measurements, Goliath was nine feet and nine inches tall which would make him a foot and a half taller than the current world's tallest man Sultan Kosen (pictured)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/24/16/94481471-14317919-image-a-2_1737734468800.jpg)
If he really did exist, these huge humans likely suffered from a rare genetic condition which caused them to grow to seemingly impossible sizes. And, unfortunately for the Philistines, this condition might also explain why Goliath ultimately proved so easy to slay.
![[This map shows Tell es-Safi in modern Israel, widely believed to be the site of Goliath's hometown, Gath. Excavations suggest that there really was a battle between the Israelites and the people of Gath as the Bible suggests]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/24/14/18060804-14317919-A_map_showing_Tell_es_Safi_in_modern_Israel_widely_believed_to_b-a-15_1737728214683.jpg)
Goliath was a biblical warrior said to be of gigantic proportions - but just how big was the Philistine champion? (artist's impression). In the Bible, the book of Samuel recounts the story of the great battle between the Philistine and Israelite forces.
![[Archaeologists found that Gath (pictured) was built according to set units consisting of a 54cm (21.65 inch) cubit and a 22cm (8.66 inch) span. Based on that, Goliath's height would be 2.38m (seven feet 10 inches)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/24/14/18058754-14317919-Archaeologists_excavating_Goliath_s_supposed_hometown_have_unear-a-17_1737728234949.jpg)
We are told that the Philistine champion is a warrior named Goliath who challenges the Israelites to single combat. Interestingly, this section also gives an extremely detailed description of Goliath's physical appearance. The Bible says that his height is 'six cubits and a span' and that he wears bronze armour weighing 'five thousand shekels'.
![[Scientists say that the enormous size of Goliath and other giants like the French Hugo Brothers (pictured) is due to a condition affecting the pituitary gland. In some cases, a tumour on this gland means that there is nothing to stop the production of human growth hormone]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/24/14/94478139-14317919-image-a-23_1737729370892.jpg)
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