1 Samuel 17 43

1 Samuel 17:43 kjv

And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

1 Samuel 17:43 nkjv

So the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

1 Samuel 17:43 niv

He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

1 Samuel 17:43 esv

And the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

1 Samuel 17:43 nlt

"Am I a dog," he roared at David, "that you come at me with a stick?" And he cursed David by the names of his gods.

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 43 Meaning

This verse captures Goliath's scorn and utter contempt for David, expressing his indignation that he, a formidable warrior, is challenged by a young shepherd boy armed with a mere staff. Goliath perceives David as an insignificant dog, not worthy of his attention as a fighter, and immediately invokes the curse of his own pagan gods upon David, setting the stage for a spiritual and physical clash between two worldviews and their champions.

1 Samuel 17 43 Context

This verse is central to the confrontation between David and Goliath in 1 Samuel chapter 17. The Philistine champion, Goliath, had for forty days challenged the armies of Israel to send a man to fight him, thereby deciding the outcome of the battle. Saul and all Israel were greatly afraid. David, a young shepherd, came to the camp to bring food to his brothers and was indignant at Goliath's defiance of the living God. David volunteered to fight Goliath, confident in God's deliverance based on his past encounters with lions and bears protecting his flock. In 1 Samuel 17:42, Goliath observed David's youthful appearance, his ruddy complexion, and was offended. Verse 43 records Goliath's scornful and mocking response to David's seemingly meager appearance and inadequate armament, viewing David not as a warrior but as a boy fit only for dealing with animals. Historically, the Philistines were formidable adversaries of Israel, known for their superior iron weaponry. Goliath embodied their military might and polytheistic worldview, confident in physical power and the strength of his pagan deities, in stark contrast to David's humble appearance and singular reliance on the Lord, the God of Israel.

1 Samuel 17 43 Word analysis

• "Am I a dog?": In Hebrew, kelev (כֶּלֶב), meaning 'dog.' This was a highly pejorative term in ancient Near Eastern culture, denoting the lowest of the low, utter insignificance, filth, and disgrace. To be called or equated to a dog was a profound insult, signaling contempt for the person's status, dignity, and lineage. Goliath uses it to highlight David's perceived worthlessness as an opponent, emphasizing the immense gap he saw between his own warrior status and David's boyish appearance.

• "that you come to me with sticks?": The Hebrew term makkelot (מַקְּלֽוֹת) refers to 'sticks' or 'staves,' specifically those used by a shepherd (e.g., a shepherd's staff used for guidance and defense against animals). Goliath, a heavily armed warrior, sees David armed with only what appears to be shepherd's equipment, further fueling his contempt and underestimation. It underscores Goliath's inability to comprehend that God would use such humble means to defeat a champion like him.

• "And the Philistine": This identifies the speaker, Goliath, as representing the Philistine nation and their false gods, setting the stage for the religious dimension of the conflict. It is not just a duel between men, but a battle between two peoples and their deities.

• "cursed David": The Hebrew verb is qilel (קָלַל), meaning 'to make light of,' 'to treat with contempt,' or 'to curse.' Goliath's curse was an act of invocation, a ritual attempt to undermine David's power or to call evil upon him. It reflects a belief in the power of words and curses within their religious framework.

• "by his gods": This explicitly states Goliath's polytheistic allegiance. He invoked the names of his deities (likely Dagon or Baal-Zebub, principal Philistine gods) to bless him and bring destruction upon David. This act makes the battle a direct theological confrontation between the Philistine gods and the God of Israel. It serves as a polemic, implicitly challenging the sovereignty of YHWH.

• Words-group analysis

  • "Am I a dog... with sticks?": This rhetorical question highlights Goliath's inflated ego and perceived insult. It frames David as utterly contemptible and physically harmless against a professional soldier. It is a dismissal rooted purely in physical appearance and human-centric martial assessments.
  • "And the Philistine cursed David by his gods": This phrase marks the moment the conflict escalates beyond a mere physical duel to a spiritual one. Goliath invokes his pagan deities, directly challenging the God of Israel and placing the battle within the broader narrative of true worship vs. idolatry. His curses underscore his dependence on false gods, which will prove powerless against the living God.

1 Samuel 17 43 Bonus section

This exchange highlights the common human tendency to judge based on superficial qualities and material possessions or power, rather than spiritual truth or inherent potential as chosen by God. Goliath's error was underestimating not David, but the God in whose name David came. Goliath was confined by a physical worldview, while David understood the spiritual battle that underlay the visible confrontation. Goliath's invoking his gods reveals a cultural belief that battles were decided by the strength of the warring nations' deities, setting up a decisive demonstration of YHWH's unmatched power.

1 Samuel 17 43 Commentary

Goliath's arrogant dismissal of David in 1 Samuel 17:43 reveals his spiritual blindness, relying solely on human strength and appearance. He insults David, deeming him an unworthy opponent, not just due to his youth and staff but culturally, as less than human ("a dog"). His act of cursing David "by his gods" intensifies the conflict, transforming it into a definitive clash of divinities. Goliath represents the pride and power of the fallen world, trusting in physical might and pagan deities. David, by contrast, embodies humility, courage born of faith, and absolute trust in the sovereign God of Israel. This verse powerfully sets up the subsequent vindication of God's name through the victory of His chosen, humble servant over the boastful champion.