Goliath is one of the most iconic figures in Scripture, not because of his strength, but because of his downfall. He stood against God’s people, defied the armies of the living God, and fell by the hand of a shepherd who trusted not in sword or spear, but in the name of the LORD.
The First Mention and His Physical Description
Goliath first appears in 1 Samuel 17:4, standing as the champion of the Philistines. He is introduced as “Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.” A cubit is roughly 18 inches and a span is about 9 inches, placing his height at approximately 9 feet 9 inches.
“And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.” (1 Samuel 17:4)
His armor and weapons are then described in detail. His bronze coat of mail weighed “five thousand shekels” (about 125 pounds), and his spear’s iron head weighed “six hundred shekels” (about 15 pounds). His spear was described “like a weaver’s beam,” indicating both size and craftsmanship (1 Samuel 17:5–7).
Goliath’s Lineage and Origins
Goliath is from Gath, a city known to be inhabited by giants. Joshua 11:22 states,
“None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.” (Joshua 11:22)
The Anakim were a people of great stature, descendants of the giants known before the conquest. Deuteronomy 2:10–11 links the Anakim to the Rephaim, another giant people. Though the Bible never directly says Goliath was a Nephilim, his presence in Gath (a city where the Anakim remained) strongly suggests he descended from one of the giant clans.
Numbers 13:33 says of the Anakim,
“There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
Did Goliath Have Brothers?
Scripture gives further details in 2 Samuel 21:18–22 and 1 Chronicles 20:4–8. These passages list four other giants from Gath who were slain by David’s men. 2 Samuel 21:22 says,
“These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.”
One of these men had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, which further marks the unusual nature of this giant bloodline (2 Samuel 21:20). While Scripture does not give names or exact relationships, it plainly states they were born to the giant in Gath, implying they were likely Goliath’s brothers or close kin.
Goliath’s Defiance and Death
For forty days, Goliath taunted the armies of Israel morning and evening, challenging a man to fight him (1 Samuel 17:16). His words were not only against Israel, but against the LORD Himself. 1 Samuel 17:10 records his blasphemy,
“I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”
When David heard Goliath’s taunts, he asked,
“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)
David refused Saul’s armor, choosing instead five smooth stones and his sling. He declared before the battle,
“You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45)
With one stone, David struck Goliath in the forehead. The stone sank into his head, and he fell face down. David then ran, took Goliath’s sword, and cut off his head:
“So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone… but there was no sword in the hand of David.” (1 Samuel 17:50)
My Final Thoughts
Goliath was not just a large man; he was part of a line of giants that had long resisted God’s people. His defiance was ultimately not against Israel, but against the LORD. His downfall, by a young shepherd with a sling, proved again that the battle belongs to the LORD. It was not the strength of man, but the power of God, that brought victory. Even though Goliath was nine feet tall and descended from the Anakim, the real story is that God delivers His people by faith, not force. Let us remember: the giants may be tall, but they are not taller than the living God.
The Bible references several groups and individuals described as giants. These beings are often associated with opposition to God’s people and are depicted as formidable adversaries. This study will examine the tribes identified as giants, named individuals, and other figures who may have been giants, based solely on scriptural evidence.
Tribes of Giants
Nephilim: The Nephilim are first mentioned in Genesis 6:4:
“There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.”
The term “giants” here translates the Hebrew word “Nephilim.” They are also referenced in Numbers 13:33, where the Israelite spies describe the inhabitants of Canaan:
“There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
Anakim: Descendants of Anak, the Anakim are described as a formidable people. Deuteronomy 9:2 states:
“A people great and tall, the descendants of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the descendants of Anak?’”
Joshua 11:21-22 notes their presence in the hill country and their eventual defeat by Joshua.
Rephaim: The Rephaim are mentioned in several passages. Deuteronomy 2:11 equates them with the Anakim:
“They were also regarded as giants, like the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim.”
Og, king of Bashan, is identified as the last of the Rephaim in Deuteronomy 3:11.
Emim: The Emim are described in Deuteronomy 2:10-11 as a people great and numerous, tall like the Anakim, and regarded as giants.
Zamzummim: Also known as the Zuzim, they are mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:20-21 as a people great and numerous, tall like the Anakim, and regarded as giants by the Ammonites.
Amorites: Amos 2:9 describes the Amorites:
“Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was as strong as the oaks.”
This suggests that some Amorites were of great stature.
Named Giants
Goliath: Perhaps the most famous giant, Goliath is described in 1 Samuel 17:4 as a champion from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. His defeat by David is a well-known account.
Og, King of Bashan: Deuteronomy 3:11 states:
“For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the giants. Indeed his bedstead was an iron bedstead… nine cubits is its length and four cubits its width.”
This suggests his significant size.
Ishbi-Benob: Mentioned in 2 Samuel 21:16 as a descendant of the giants, he attempted to kill David but was slain by Abishai.
Saph (Sippai): Referred to in 2 Samuel 21:18 and 1 Chronicles 20:4 as another descendant of the giants, killed by Sibbechai the Hushathite.
Lahmi: Identified in 1 Chronicles 20:5 as the brother of Goliath, slain by Elhanan.
Unnamed Giant: 2 Samuel 21:20 describes a man of great stature from Gath, with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, who was killed by Jonathan, David’s nephew.
Possible Giants
Nimrod: Genesis 10:8-9 describes Nimrod as:
“Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord.”
The term “mighty one” translates the Hebrew word “gibbor,” which can denote a person of great strength or stature. Some traditions and interpretations suggest that Nimrod may have been a giant or had associations with the Nephilim. However, the Bible does not explicitly state that Nimrod was a giant.
Arba: Joshua 14:15 refers to Arba as the greatest man among the Anakim, and the father of Anak. While not explicitly called a giant, his association with the Anakim suggests he was of great stature.
Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai: These sons of Anak are mentioned in Numbers 13:22 and Joshua 15:14. Their lineage implies they were of significant size.
Egyptian Warrior: 1 Chronicles 11:23 describes an Egyptian man of great height, five cubits tall, who was slain by Benaiah, one of David’s mighty men.
My Final Thoughts
The Bible provides several accounts of giants, both in terms of tribes and individuals. These beings often stood in opposition to God’s people and were ultimately defeated, demons/”>demonstrating God’s power and faithfulness. While some details are sparse, the consistent references across various books underscore their significance in biblical history.
The Canaanites trace their lineage back to Canaan, the son of Ham, who was one of Noah’s three sons. After the flood, in Genesis 10:6, we read:
“The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.”
Canaan’s descendants became the inhabitants of the land later known as Canaan. Genesis 10:15–18 lists Canaan’s children, which form many of the enemy nations later encountered by Israel:
“Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Heth; the Jebusite, the Amorite, and the Girgashite; the Hivite, the Arkite, and the Sinite; the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.”
These names are significant (many of them reappear during the conquest accounts in Joshua and Judges).
The Land of Canaan
The land of Canaan was vast and fertile. It stretched from the Mediterranean Sea on the west to the Jordan River on the east, and from Lebanon in the north to the desert in the south. Genesis 10:19 gives boundaries:
“And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; then as you go toward gomorrah/”>Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.”
This territory was strategically significant and agriculturally rich, often referred to as “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). It was this land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:7).
The Sin of Canaan and God’s Judgment
Canaan was cursed because of Ham’s sin against Noah. In Genesis 9:25, Noah declares:
“Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brethren.”
Though Ham was the offender, the curse fell on Canaan. This curse wasn’t arbitrary: God foreknew the wickedness that would come from Canaan’s descendants. By the time of Abraham, the Canaanites were already known for idolatry and moral corruption. Genesis 15:16 says,
“For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
God was patient; but their sin would reach a fullness that demanded judgment. Leviticus 18 details the depravity of the Canaanite culture—gross sexual immorality, incest, bestiality, and child sacrifice. Verse 27–28 says,
“For all these abominations the men of the land have done… lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it.”
Giants Among the Canaanites
One striking detail is the presence of giants among the Canaanites. Numbers 13:33 recounts the spies’ report:
“There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight…”
The Anakim, Rephaim, and Emim were tribes of giants. Deuteronomy 2:10–11 explains:
“The Emim had dwelt there in times past, a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. They were also regarded as giants, like the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim.”
These beings were formidable and caused fear, yet God declared they would be defeated. Joshua 11:21–22 records how Joshua destroyed the Anakim from the hill country (except in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod). This explains why Goliath, a giant from Gath, appears later in 1 Samuel 17.
Enemies of Israel
From the moment Israel approached the Promised Land, the Canaanite nations rose up against them. In Numbers 21:1, the king of Arad (a Canaanite) fought against Israel. But the central battles are seen in the Book of Joshua.
In Joshua 3–12, Israel begins the conquest. Jericho falls. Ai is taken. Five kings of the Amorites form an alliance against Israel in Joshua 10. But Joshua says in verse 8,
“Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand.”
The LORD rained down hailstones from heaven and extended the day for Israel’s victory. God commanded Israel to utterly destroy these nations (not out of cruelty, but to prevent Israel from adopting their abominations). Deuteronomy 20:17–18 states:
“But you shall utterly destroy them… lest they teach you to do according to all their abominations.”
This was not ethnic cleansing: it was divine judgment on persistent sin and rebellion. The land was not taken unjustly. It was given to Israel by divine right, and the Canaanites were judged by a holy God.
Their Final Fate
While many Canaanites were destroyed, some survived due to Israel’s disobedience. Judges 1:27–36 recounts multiple cities where Israel failed to drive out the inhabitants. These remaining Canaanites became a snare to Israel, just as God warned. Judges 2:2–3:
“But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this?… They shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”
Eventually, some Canaanites were absorbed or destroyed through successive judgments (especially under David and Solomon). Others, like the Gibeonites (Joshua 9), made treaties and served under Israel.
By the time of Christ, Canaanite identity had largely disappeared, though the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7:26 is referred to as “a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth”, reflecting a lingering regional connection.
My Final Thoughts
The Canaanites stand as a sobering picture of what happens when sin is allowed to ripen to its full measure. They were a people blessed with a rich land and long-suffering mercy from God, but they rejected Him and filled their land with abominations.
Their giants caused fear, but God delivered Israel every time they trusted Him. The land was not taken by Israel’s strength but by God’s promise. This study reminds us of two things: the severity of God’s judgment and the faithfulness of His covenant. What God promises, He fulfills. And what He warns, He enforces.
Let their history be a lesson not only in judgment but in the holiness that God requires of His people.
The fall of Jericho is one of the most striking moments in the history of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. This event, recorded in Joshua 6, demons/”>demonstrates God’s power, the importance of obedience, and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.
Where Was Jericho?
Jericho was a heavily fortified city in the Jordan Valley, near the Jordan River, just west of where the Israelites had crossed into Canaan. It was one of the oldest cities in the world and served as a stronghold for the Canaanites. This city was significant because it stood at the entrance to the land that God had promised to Israel, making it the first major battle in their conquest.
As the Israelites approached, Jericho was already in a state of fear. Joshua 2:9-11 records the words of Rahab, a woman living in Jericho, who told the Israelite spies,
“I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”
This passage reveals that the Canaanites were already aware of God’s power; yet they still resisted Him. Instead of repenting, they shut themselves inside their city, trusting in their walls instead of turning to the Lord.
Who Lived in Jericho? Were They Giants?
Jericho was inhabited by the Canaanites, a people known for their extreme wickedness, including idolatry, child sacrifice, and gross immorality. God had decreed their destruction long before, telling Abraham in Genesis 15:16 that his descendants would not inherit the land until “the iniquity of the Amorites” was complete. This judgment was now at hand.
The Canaanites included the Amorites, and Scripture tells us that some of them were giants. When Moses sent twelve spies into the land forty years earlier, they brought back this report in Numbers 13:32-33,
“The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
This fear led to Israel’s disobedience at that time, causing them to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Now, under Joshua’s leadership, a new generation had come to conquer the land, fully trusting in the Lord.
While the Bible does not explicitly say there were giants in Jericho, we do know that giants were present in other cities of Canaan. Joshua 11:21-22 later records how Joshua destroyed the Anakim (giants) from the land, except for some who remained in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. This would later become significant, as Goliath, the Philistine giant, came from Gath.
What Did God Instruct Israel to Do?
God’s battle plan for Jericho was unlike any other military strategy. Instead of attacking, God commanded them to march. In Joshua 6:2-5, the Lord said to Joshua,
“See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”
For six days, Israel obeyed. They marched around the city once each day, in complete silence except for the sound of the trumpets. The Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence, was carried with them. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times. Then, at Joshua’s command, they lifted up a mighty shout, and Joshua 6:20 says,
“The people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”
Why Did the Walls Fall?
The walls did not fall because of an earthquake or military force. They fell because of faith and obedience. Hebrews 11:30 confirms this, saying,
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.”
The victory belonged to God, not to Israel’s strength. This is a powerful reminder that when we trust in the Lord, He fights our battles for us.
What Happened After the Walls Fell?
When the walls collapsed, the Israelites rushed into the city and utterly destroyed it. God had commanded that everything in the city be devoted to destruction except for Rahab and her family. Joshua 6:17 says,
“Now the city shall be doomed by the Lord to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.”
Rahab and her household were spared because she had put her faith in the God of Israel. Joshua 6:25 tells us,
“And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.”
Not only did she survive, but she became part of Israel and was later included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:5. After the destruction, Joshua pronounced a curse over anyone who would rebuild Jericho. Joshua 6:26 says,
“Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, ‘Cursed be the man before the Lord who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates.’”
This prophecy was fulfilled in 1 Kings 16:34, when Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho, and his sons died as a result.
My Final Thoughts
The fall of Jericho is a testament to the power of God and the importance of obedience. Israel did not win by military strength but by faith in the Lord. Just as they faced an impossible obstacle and saw God move, we too face walls in our lives that seem unbreakable. Yet, through faith and obedience, we can trust that God will bring down strongholds that stand in the way of His will.
The destruction of Jericho also reveals God’s judgment. The Canaanites had many years to repent, but they refused, choosing to fight against the God of Israel. Only Rahab and her family turned to the Lord and were saved. This is a picture of salvation: judgment is coming, but those who put their trust in God will be spared.
Throughout Scripture, we find numerous references to giants, mighty men of great stature who struck fear into the hearts of those who encountered them. These beings are often misunderstood, but the Bible provides clear descriptions of their presence, their overwhelming size, and the different tribes that descended from them.
The Meaning of Nephilim and Their Immense Stature
The first mention of giants in the Bible comes in Genesis 6:4, where it says,
“There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.”
The word translated as “giants” here is Nephilim (נְפִלִים), which literally means “fallen ones”; but in context, it refers to beings of immense size and strength. This is supported by later biblical descriptions of giants, where they are clearly identified as towering figures. In Numbers 13:32-33, when the twelve spies returned from Canaan, they reported:
“The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
The spies describe the Nephilim as so tall that they made ordinary men feel like insects. This exaggeration underscores the overwhelming nature of their size. Further confirming their immense stature, Amos 2:9 says of the Amorites,
“Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was as strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath.”
Cedar trees in the Middle East often grow 30–40 feet tall, sometimes even taller. While this description may be somewhat poetic, it still emphasizes that these beings were unlike ordinary men.
Named Giants in the Bible
While many tribes of giants existed, the Bible also names certain individuals who were known for their great size and strength.
Goliath of Gath
One of the most famous giants in Scripture, Goliath, is described in 1 Samuel 17:4-7:
“And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze…”
A cubit is roughly 18 inches, and a span about 9 inches, making Goliath about 9 feet 9 inches tall. His armor alone weighed 125 pounds, showing his incredible strength.
Og, King of Bashan
Another famous giant is Og, the king of Bashan. In Deuteronomy 3:11, his bed is described:
“For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the giants. Indeed his bedstead was an iron bedstead… Nine cubits is its length and four cubits its width, according to the standard cubit.”
This means his bed was approximately 13.5 feet long and 6 feet wide, indicating he was likely around 12 feet tall or more.
Ishbi-Benob and the Sons of Goliath
David’s mighty men later fought against other giants, as seen in 2 Samuel 21:16-22. One of these, Ishbi-Benob, was a Philistine warrior who sought to kill David. Others mentioned include Saph, Lahmi (the brother of Goliath), and a giant with six fingers and six toes, indicating genetic abnormalities common among giant bloodlines.
Tribes of Giants in the Bible
Many tribes of giants existed, each with distinct names. These were remnants of the Nephilim bloodline, scattered throughout Canaan and surrounding regions.
The Anakim
The Anakim were the giants that terrified the spies in Numbers 13:33. They descended from Anak, whose father, Arba, was a mighty man of old. Joshua 11:21-22 says:
“And at that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the mountains: from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel; Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.”
This tells us that some of the Anakim survived in Gath, which is where Goliath later arose.
The Rephaim
The Rephaim were another race of giants, frequently mentioned in the Bible. Genesis 14:5 records that Chedorlaomer and his allies defeated them in battle:
“In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim…”
Later, the Rephaim are mentioned as remnants in Deuteronomy 2:10-11:
“(The Emim had dwelt there in times past, a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. They were also regarded as giants, like the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim.)”
The Emim
The Emim were another group of giants, mentioned above as living in Moabite territory. Their name means “the terrible ones,” indicating their fearsome reputation.
The Zamzummim
The Zamzummim were another name for the Rephaim, dwelling in Ammonite land. Deuteronomy 2:20-21 says:
“(That was also regarded as a land of giants; giants formerly dwelt there. But the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. But the Lord destroyed them before them…)”
The Amorites
The Amorites were not always considered giants, but some of them were. As mentioned earlier in Amos 2:9, they were described as having the height of cedars. Deuteronomy 3:8-11 ties the Amorites to Og of Bashan, confirming that some Amorites were indeed giants.
The Fate of the Giants
Most of the post flood giants were destroyed by Israel under Moses, Joshua, and later, David and his men. However, some remnants survived among the Philistines, as seen with Goliath and his brothers. God’s command was clear: Israel was to wipe them out completely. Deuteronomy 9:1-2 states:
“Hear, O Israel: You are to cross over the Jordan today and go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and fortified up to heaven, a people great and tall, the descendants of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the descendants of Anak?’”
Despite their overwhelming size, God empowered His people to defeat them.
My Final Thoughts
The presence of giants in the Bible is not just myth or legend. The Nephilim and their descendants were real, physically imposing beings who opposed God’s people. They were often associated with wickedness and rebellion against God, and Israel was commanded to drive them out. The existence of these giants reminds us that no matter how overwhelming the enemy seems, God is greater.
“For the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47)