1 Samuel 17 5

1 Samuel 17:5 kjv

And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

1 Samuel 17:5 nkjv

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.

1 Samuel 17:5 niv

He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels;

1 Samuel 17:5 esv

He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.

1 Samuel 17:5 nlt

He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds.

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 5 Meaning

This verse meticulously details a portion of Goliath's imposing military attire, emphasizing his overwhelming physical prowess and the formidable protection he possessed. It describes a heavy bronze helmet for his head and a massive bronze scaled coat of mail for his torso, specifying the tremendous weight of the body armor, amounting to five thousand shekels of bronze. This description establishes Goliath as a physical behemoth, seemingly invincible in human terms.

1 Samuel 17 5 Context

First Samuel chapter 17 introduces Goliath of Gath, the Philistine champion, who emerges to challenge Israel's army to a single combat to decide the ongoing conflict. This verse, 1 Samuel 17:5, immediately follows the initial description of Goliath's immense stature (17:4). It forms part of a detailed account (17:4-7) emphasizing Goliath's extraordinary physical attributes, his colossal size, and his incredibly heavy and advanced military equipment. This elaborate description serves to paint a picture of an insurmountable foe, fostering widespread fear among the Israelites and highlighting the apparent impossibility of human victory against him. Historically, the Philistines were known for their military superiority, particularly in metallurgy and ironworking, which gave them an edge over the Israelites who relied more on bronze weaponry. Although this verse specifies "brass" (bronze), which was still a dominant material, Goliath's armor's sheer weight and scale indicate advanced craftsmanship and resources, making him a perfect representation of human strength and pride standing defiantly against the God of Israel.

1 Samuel 17 5 Word analysis

• And: A simple conjunction, connecting this description of Goliath's armor to his previously mentioned height (17:4), continuing the catalog of his formidable attributes.
• he: Refers to Goliath, the Philistine champion. The singular pronoun consistently maintains focus on this central antagonist.
• had: Denotes possession; Goliath physically owned and wore these items as part of his military kit.
• a helmet: A piece of head armor for protection. Hebrew: kovaʿ (קובע). Its presence immediately indicates the full defensive capability of Goliath.
• of brass: More accurately translated as bronze (něḥošeṯ, נחשת), which was a primary metal for weapons and armor in the ancient Near East, especially prior to the widespread adoption of iron. It signifies strength, durability, and a heavy, robust material.
• upon his head: Specifies the exact location of the helmet, emphasizing the full body coverage and protection.
• and he was armed: Indicates a state of being fully equipped for battle. It emphasizes preparedness and the formidable nature of his military attire.
• with a coat of mail: A type of body armor, likely širyōn qašqasim (שריון קשקשים), meaning "scaled armor." This suggests overlapping plates, akin to fish scales, providing exceptional defense against sword cuts and spear thrusts, making him incredibly difficult to wound.
• and the weight: Draws immediate attention to the sheer mass and burden of the armor. This detail underscores Goliath's enormous physical strength required to even wear such a suit.
• of the coat: Specifies that the weight described refers specifically to his body armor, distinguishing it from the helmet or other accouterments.
• was five thousand shekels: A precise quantification of the armor's mass. A "shekel" was a unit of weight (approximately 11.4 grams or 0.4 ounces). Five thousand shekels thus calculates to roughly 57 kilograms or 125 pounds, an incredibly heavy burden for body armor alone. This colossal weight emphasizes Goliath's supernatural strength, demonstrating that he was no ordinary man.
• of brass: Again, specifying bronze as the material for the coat of mail, reinforcing the durability and significant mass of his protective gear.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail": This phrase introduces Goliath's primary defensive components – his head and torso protection. The use of "brass" (bronze) signifies high-grade, durable materials. The collective image is of an armored giant, nearly impenetrable to conventional attack, highlighting his physical might and the challenge he posed.
• "and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass": This second part focuses on a specific and astonishing detail – the massive weight of the body armor. The inclusion of the exact numerical weight serves to quantify Goliath's power, his seemingly superhuman capacity, and the sheer burden of the protection he carried. It further solidifies his formidable nature, leaving the reader with no doubt as to the overwhelming physical threat he represented to the ill-equipped Israelites.

1 Samuel 17 5 Bonus section

• The term "brass" in older English translations like the KJV often refers to "bronze," as brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) was not common in the ancient Near East until much later periods. Bronze (an alloy of copper and tin) was the primary alloy for weapons and armor in Goliath's time. This subtle distinction emphasizes Goliath's advanced yet common military technology of his era.
• The weight of 5,000 shekels of bronze, roughly 125 pounds (57 kg), for just the coat of mail implies that Goliath was not only exceptionally strong but likely also extremely large-framed, as sustaining such a weight during combat would be exhausting for an average man, reinforcing his giant stature.
• This descriptive passage acts as a narrative device to build dramatic tension. By exaggerating Goliath's formidable equipment, the text accentuates the courage and faith required by David to face such an opponent. It frames the battle not just as a physical confrontation but as a theological one: the might of Philistine idolatry and human self-reliance pitted against the living God of Israel.

1 Samuel 17 5 Commentary

First Samuel 17:5 provides crucial descriptive details that are integral to setting the stage for David's heroic encounter with Goliath. This verse, along with verses 4, 6, and 7, collectively builds the image of Goliath as an utterly terrifying and seemingly invincible force. By describing his heavy bronze helmet and colossal bronze scaled coat of mail, specifying its five thousand shekel weight, the narrative vividly conveys Goliath's physical strength, the impenetrable nature of his defense, and the advanced military technology possessed by the Philistines.

The purpose of this meticulous detail is not mere reporting; it is narrative amplification. The greater Goliath's physical might and the more impregnable his defenses, the more pronounced and miraculous David's eventual victory will be. This verse, therefore, directly contributes to magnifying God's power. It sets up an extreme contrast: human might and advanced weaponry versus simple faith and divine intervention. Goliath's reliance on physical mass and formidable armor ultimately contrasts with David's reliance on the name of the Lord. The crushing weight of Goliath's armor is symbolic of the oppressive burden of fear he casts over Israel. By detailing Goliath's overwhelming material strength, the narrative powerfully underscores that salvation is not by physical might or a well-equipped army, but by the Spirit of the Lord.