1 Samuel 17 7

1 Samuel 17:7 kjv

And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.

1 Samuel 17:7 nkjv

Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him.

1 Samuel 17:7 niv

His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.

1 Samuel 17:7 esv

The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him.

1 Samuel 17:7 nlt

The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver's beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield.

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 7 Meaning

This verse details Goliath’s formidable spear, emphasizing its extraordinary size and weight, designed to convey the immense physical power and military might of the Philistine champion. His spear's shaft is likened to a weaver's beam, a thick, heavy wooden roller, illustrating its massive diameter and length. The iron head of the spear weighed six hundred shekels, indicating its crushing destructive potential. The presence of a shield-bearer walking ahead of him highlights not only Goliath's need for an assistant to manage his immense primary defensive shield but also his royal or chieftain-like status within the Philistine military hierarchy, underscoring his terrifying and unmatched presence on the battlefield.

1 Samuel 17 7 Context

1 Samuel chapter 17 sets the scene for one of the most iconic narratives in the Bible: the battle between David and Goliath. The preceding verses introduce Goliath of Gath, his massive stature, and his elaborate armor and weaponry. This specific verse (1 Sam 17:7) functions to intensify the description of Goliath's overwhelming military equipment, focusing on his spear, which is portrayed as a weapon of unprecedented size and destructive capacity. The details here are crucial in demonstrating the terrifying challenge he posed to the Israelite army and explaining why they were paralyzed by fear. Historically, this account occurs during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Philistines. The Philistines, originating from the Aegean Sea, were known for their advanced iron-working technology, a military advantage over the Israelites at this time, whose use of iron was less developed. Goliath’s iron spearhead reflects this technological superiority. This context emphasizes not only a physical battle but also a theological one, contrasting human military might and technology with God's power working through an unlikely deliverer.

1 Samuel 17 7 Word analysis

• And the staff of his spear: וְעֵץ חֲנִיתוֹ (Wə-ʿēṣ ḥanîtô)

  • וְעֵץ (wə-ʿēṣ): "and wood" or "and tree." Here, "staff" or "shaft." The word highlights the material – wood – yet paradoxically, implies immense strength and density.
  • חֲנִיתוֹ (ḥanîtô): "his spear." A primary weapon of war, this specific detail establishes its formidable nature.

• was like a weaver's beam: כִּמְנוֹר אֹרְגִים (kimnōr ʾōrgîm)

  • כִּמְנוֹר (kimnōr): "like a beam." A "weaver's beam" (מְנוֹר) was a thick, heavy, cylindrical roller from an ancient loom, used to wind finished cloth or hold warp threads. Its substantial size, weight, and cylindrical shape are emphasized. This simile is potent, suggesting the spear staff was not only long but thick and cumbersome, requiring enormous strength to wield. It indicates a massive and unusual spear.

• and his spear's head: וְלַהֶבֶת חֲנִיתוֹ (wəla-havet ḥanîtô)

  • וְלַהֶבֶת (wəla-havet): "and the flame/blade/point." The word can refer to a flame or a blade's tip. In this context, it clearly means the sharp, metallic head of the spear, the lethal component.

• weighed six hundred shekels of iron: שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת שְׁקָלִים בַּרְזֶל (shēš mēʾōṯ šeqālîm barzel)

  • שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת שְׁקָלִים (shēš mēʾōṯ šeqālîm): "six hundred shekels." A shekel was an ancient unit of weight (and currency). Six hundred shekels is significant, estimated to be about 15-20 pounds (approx. 6.8-9 kg) for just the spearhead. This makes it an incredibly heavy, and therefore powerfully destructive, weapon designed for impact and penetration against armor. It's an extraordinary weight for a spear tip, reinforcing Goliath's superhuman strength.
  • בַּרְזֶל (barzel): "iron." The mention of iron is crucial. In that era, iron was superior to bronze for weaponry due to its hardness. The Philistines had a technological edge in iron metallurgy, giving them a significant military advantage. The weight and material highlight the cutting-edge (for its time) military technology backing Goliath.

• and one bearing a shield went before him: וְנֹשֵׂא הַצִּנָּה הֹלֵךְ לְפָנָיו (wə-nōśēʾ haṣṣinnāh hōlēḵ ləfānāyw)

  • וְנֹשֵׂא הַצִּנָּה (wə-nōśēʾ haṣṣinnāh): "and the bearer of the tzinnah (large shield)." The tzinnah was a very large, full-body shield (distinguished from the smaller magen). It was so heavy that a dedicated servant was often needed to carry it into battle for an important warrior, providing an initial screen.
  • הֹלֵךְ לְפָנָיו (hōlēḵ ləfānāyw): "walking before him." This detail indicates that Goliath's primary defensive shield was too large and heavy for him to carry efficiently while also maneuvering his enormous spear. It also implies a leader's status and the meticulousness of Philistine battle preparations. This paints a picture of Goliath as a massive, near-unstoppable force.

• Word-Group Analysis

  • "staff... weaver's beam" (וְעֵץ חֲנִיתוֹ כִּמְנוֹר אֹרְגִים): This phrase emphasizes the unusual thickness and unwieldiness of Goliath's spear shaft, more like a tree branch or a heavy industrial tool than a typical weapon, suggesting brute force and destructive power over agility.
  • "spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron" (וְלַהֶבֶת חֲנִיתוֹ שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת שְׁקָלִים בַּרְזֶל): This clause precisely quantifies the lethal potential. The sheer weight in a highly durable material (iron) implies crushing blows, piercing defenses, and the incredible strength of the one who could wield it effectively, magnifying the sense of dread.
  • "one bearing a shield went before him" (וְנֹשֵׂא הַצִּנָּה הֹלֵךְ לְפָנָיו): This signifies Goliath's extraordinary size and the immense scale of his armor and weaponry, necessitating an aide. It elevates him beyond a common soldier to a general or a highly feared champion, augmenting the challenge to Israel.

1 Samuel 17 7 Bonus section

The description of Goliath's weaponry in 1 Samuel 17:7 also implicitly showcases the Philistine superiority in iron metallurgy at this historical juncture. Israel was still largely in the Bronze Age technologically for weaponry, while Philistines had advanced to Iron Age armaments. This technological disparity adds another layer to Goliath's seeming invincibility. The use of numbers like "six hundred shekels" is not merely descriptive; it invites the reader to grasp the scale of the challenge and ponder how such an insurmountable opponent could possibly be defeated without divine intervention. This specific detail reinforces a consistent biblical theme: that God often chooses to work through means that defy human logic and strength, so that His glory, not human capability, is fully revealed. The narrative polemically diminishes the power of Philistine gods (like Dagon) and their human champions in contrast to the incomparable power of Yahweh, Israel's God.

1 Samuel 17 7 Commentary

1 Samuel 17:7 provides the climactic detail of Goliath’s fearsome armaments, culminating the author’s deliberate build-up of the giant’s physical description and military power. The vivid simile of the weaver's beam for his spear staff, combined with the staggering weight of its iron head, paints a picture of an utterly invincible warrior from a human perspective. The presence of his personal shield-bearer reinforces Goliath’s towering stature and the monumental scale of his equipment, suggesting that no single man could effectively manage such immense offensive and defensive capabilities alone. This meticulous portrayal of Goliath's might serves a crucial theological purpose: it magnifies the human impossibility of overcoming him, thereby setting the stage to dramatically showcase the power of God through David, highlighting that God saves not by sword or spear, but by His own sovereign hand. It contrasts worldly power and material advantage with divine intervention and faith.