Goliath (Guh-li´uhth)

A Philistine champion from Gath. He was defeated by David in single combat in the Valley of Elah according to (1Sam 17), where the might of the seasoned Philistine warrior is contrasted with the vulnerability of the callow Israelite shepherd, who fells his heavily armed opponent with a slingstone. According to (2Sam 21:19), however, Goliath was defeated by Elhanan, one of David’s warriors. Some interpreters have suggested that the name of the Philistine slain by David was not given in the original, oldest tradition and that the name of Elhanan’s victim was substituted for the anonymous adversary of the better-known David.