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Goliath Biography

Biblical Figure

Goliath was a giant soldier from Gath in ancient Palestine, according to a famous story in the biblical book 1 Samuel. The 17th chapter describes an armed clash between the Philistines, led by Goliath, and the army of Israel. Despite Goliath's intimidating size, the unlikely Judean boy-hero David meets him on the field of battle. David slings a fatal stone that hits the giant between the eyes and fells him. David beheads the fallen Goliath, Israel wins in a rout and David goes on to become king. In sports, politics, business and other arenas, a competition between seemingly mismatched opponents is sometimes described as "David and Goliath" or "David versus Goliath."

Extra credit: In 2005, archaelogists at the likely site of Gath found the word "Goliath" inscribed in an ancient language on a pottery shard... According to the King James version of the Bible, Goliath's height was "six cubits and a span" -- roughly three meters, or more than nine feet, in modern terms.

Other famous giants include Prometheus, Godzilla and The Incredible Hulk.