1 Samuel 17:5
1 Samuel 17:5 in Multiple Translations
and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels,
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.
And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
And he had a head-dress of brass on his head, and he was dressed in a coat of metal, the weight of which was five thousand shekels of brass.
He had on his head a bronze helmet and he wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels.
Aud had an helmet of brasse vpon his head, and a brigandine vpon him: and the weight of his brigandine was fiue thousand shekels of brasse.
and a helmet of brass [is] on his head, and [with] a scaled coat of mail he [is] clothed, and the weight of the coat of mail [is] five thousand shekels of brass,
He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he wore a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.
And he had a 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.
And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clothed with a coat of mail with scales, and the weight of his coat of mail was five thousand sicles of brass:
He wore a helmet made of bronze to protect his head, and he wore a coat made of metal plates to protect his body. The coat weighed ◄125 pounds/56 kg.►.
In a fight he used to put on iron plates to cover his body. One covered his head, and 2 others covered his legs. Another covered his chest, and it was really heavy. It was about 60 kilograms. He carried 2 fighting spears, a short one and a long one. The short one was made of a brown metal called bronze. It was in a belt over his shoulder.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 17:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 17:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/כ֤וֹבַע
נְחֹ֨שֶׁת֙
עַל
רֹאשׁ֔/וֹ
וְ/שִׁרְי֥וֹן
קַשְׂקַשִּׂ֖ים
ה֣וּא
לָב֑וּשׁ
וּ/מִשְׁקַל֙
הַ/שִּׁרְי֔וֹן
חֲמֵשֶׁת
אֲלָפִ֥ים
שְׁקָלִ֖ים
נְחֹֽשֶֽׁת
וְ/כ֤וֹבַע
kôwbaʻ
H3553
helmet
Conj | N-ms
נְחֹ֨שֶׁת֙
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
bronze
N-fs
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
רֹאשׁ֔/וֹ
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-ms | Suff
וְ/שִׁרְי֥וֹן
shiryôwn
H8302
lance
Conj | N-cs
קַשְׂקַשִּׂ֖ים
qasqeseth
H7193
scale
N-fp
ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
לָב֑וּשׁ
lâbash
H3847
to clothe
V-Qal-Inf-c
וּ/מִשְׁקַל֙
mishqâl
H4948
weight
Conj | N-ms
הַ/שִּׁרְי֔וֹן
shiryôwn
H8302
lance
Art | N-cs
חֲמֵשֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
five
Adj
אֲלָפִ֥ים
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
שְׁקָלִ֖ים
sheqel
H8255
shekel
N-mp
נְחֹֽשֶֽׁת
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
bronze
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 17:5
וְ/כ֤וֹבַע
kôwbaʻ
H3553
"helmet"
Conj | N-ms
A helmet is a protective head covering, often arched in shape. It is compared to another word for helmet in the Bible. The KJV translates it as helmet.
Definition: helmet
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: helmet. Compare H6959 (קוֹבַע). See also: 1 Samuel 17:5; Jeremiah 46:4; Isaiah 59:17.
נְחֹ֨שֶׁת֙
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
"bronze"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to copper or something made of it, like a coin or chain. It can also symbolize something base or impure, as in lust or filthiness. It appears in various KJV translations, including brasen and brass.
Definition: 1) copper, bronze 1a) copper (ore), bronze (as copper alloy) 1b) fetters (of copper or bronze) 1c) copper (as value)
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel. See also: Genesis 4:22; 1 Kings 7:38; Psalms 107:16.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
רֹאשׁ֔/וֹ
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
וְ/שִׁרְי֥וֹן
shiryôwn
H8302
"lance"
Conj | N-cs
This word refers to a type of armor worn for protection, including breastplates and coats of mail. It is used to describe the defensive gear worn by soldiers in battle, providing them with safety and security. The armor was often made of metal or leather.
Definition: 1) a weapon 1a) perhaps a lance, javelin
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: breastplate, coat of mail, habergeon, harness. See H5630 (סִרְיֹן). See also: 1 Samuel 17:5; 2 Chronicles 26:14; Isaiah 59:17.
קַשְׂקַשִּׂ֖ים
qasqeseth
H7193
"scale"
N-fp
This Hebrew word refers to the scales of a fish or a coat of mail, like the armor worn by King Saul in 1 Samuel 17:38. It describes something that protects or covers. The KJV Bible translates it as mail or scale.
Definition: scale (of fish, water animals)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: mail, scale. See also: Leviticus 11:9; Deuteronomy 14:9; Ezekiel 29:4.
ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
לָב֑וּשׁ
lâbash
H3847
"to clothe"
V-Qal-Inf-c
To clothe means to wrap something around or put on a garment. In the Bible, it can be used literally or figuratively, as in putting on clothes or being clothed with a certain attitude.
Definition: 1) to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear 1a2) to put on, be clothed with (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed 1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress Aramaic equivalent: le.vash (לְבֵשׁ "to clothe" H3848)
Usage: Occurs in 102 OT verses. KJV: (in) apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear. See also: Genesis 3:21; Job 27:17; Psalms 35:26.
וּ/מִשְׁקַל֙
mishqâl
H4948
"weight"
Conj | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means weight or heaviness, often referring to a full weight, like in trade or commerce, as seen in Genesis. It represents a standard unit of measurement.
Definition: heaviness, weight
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: (full) weight. See also: Genesis 24:22; 1 Kings 7:47; Jeremiah 52:20.
הַ/שִּׁרְי֔וֹן
shiryôwn
H8302
"lance"
Art | N-cs
This word refers to a type of armor worn for protection, including breastplates and coats of mail. It is used to describe the defensive gear worn by soldiers in battle, providing them with safety and security. The armor was often made of metal or leather.
Definition: 1) a weapon 1a) perhaps a lance, javelin
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: breastplate, coat of mail, habergeon, harness. See H5630 (סִרְיֹן). See also: 1 Samuel 17:5; 2 Chronicles 26:14; Isaiah 59:17.
חֲמֵשֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
אֲלָפִ֥ים
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
שְׁקָלִ֖ים
sheqel
H8255
"shekel"
N-mp
A shekel was a unit of weight or money in ancient Israel, like a coin or a measure of gold, silver, or copper. It was used for trade and commerce, as seen in the book of Exodus. The value varied depending on the material.
Definition: 1) shekel 1a) the chief unit of weight or measure 1a1) gold-1/10000 of a talent and equal to 220 grains 1a2) silver-1/3000 of a talent and equal to 132 grains 1a3) copper-1/1500 of a talent and equal to 528 grains Aramaic equivalent: te.qel (תְּקֵל "shekel" H8625B)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: shekel. See also: Genesis 23:15; Numbers 7:55; Jeremiah 32:9.
נְחֹֽשֶֽׁת
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
"bronze"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to copper or something made of it, like a coin or chain. It can also symbolize something base or impure, as in lust or filthiness. It appears in various KJV translations, including brasen and brass.
Definition: 1) copper, bronze 1a) copper (ore), bronze (as copper alloy) 1b) fetters (of copper or bronze) 1c) copper (as value)
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel. See also: Genesis 4:22; 1 Kings 7:38; Psalms 107:16.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 17:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- 1 Samuel 17:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 17:5
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 17:5
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5
Context — Goliath’s Challenge
3The Philistines stood on one hill and the Israelites stood on another, with the valley between them.
4Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height,
5and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels,
6and he had armor of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. In addition, his shield bearer went before him.1 Samuel 17:5 Summary
In 1 Samuel 17:5, we see that Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior, was heavily armored with bronze, which made him nearly invulnerable to attack. However, his armor also symbolized his reliance on human strength rather than on God, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Exodus 14:13-14. This verse teaches us that our trust should be in God's power and provision, not in human strength or worldly means, and that we should 'put on the armor of God' as described in Ephesians 6:10-18 to overcome the challenges and 'giants' in our lives. By trusting in God, we can, like David, overcome even the most daunting opponents and experiences, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:45-47 and Psalm 28:7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Goliath's armor in 1 Samuel 17:5?
Goliath's armor, including his bronze helmet and coat of mail, symbolized his reliance on human strength and military might, rather than on God, as seen in other biblical accounts where trust in God leads to victory, such as in Exodus 14:13-14 and 2 Chronicles 20:15.
How heavy was Goliath's coat of mail?
According to 1 Samuel 17:5, Goliath's coat of mail weighed five thousand shekels, which is approximately 57 kilograms or 125 pounds, a significant weight that would have restricted his mobility and made him nearly invulnerable to conventional attacks, similar to the heavy armor described in Ephesians 6:11-17.
What can we learn from Goliath's armor about spiritual warfare?
Goliath's armor teaches us that our spiritual armor, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, is essential for protection against spiritual enemies, and that we should not rely solely on human strength or worldly means to overcome them, but rather on the power of God and the armor He provides, as seen in Psalm 28:7 and Proverbs 30:5.
How does Goliath's armor compare to the armor of God described in the New Testament?
While Goliath's armor was made of bronze and weighed heavily on his body, the armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18 and Romans 13:12, is spiritual and provides protection, strength, and victory over spiritual enemies, demonstrating the superiority of God's power and provision over human ingenuity and strength, as seen in Isaiah 59:17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'armors' that I rely on in my life, and are they based on human strength or God's power?
- How can I, like David in 1 Samuel 17, trust in God's power and provision rather than my own abilities or resources?
- What are the 'giants' in my life that seem insurmountable, and how can I apply the lessons from 1 Samuel 17:5 to overcome them?
- In what ways can I 'put on the armor of God' in my daily life, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, and trust in His power to protect and guide me?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:5
And he had an helmet of brass upon his head,.... This was a piece of armour, which covered the head in the day of battle; these were usually made of the skins of beasts, of leather, and which were
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:5
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. Helmet of brass.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5
The common shekel contained only a fourth part of an ounce; and so 5000 shekels made 1250 ounces, which make exactly 78 pounds; which weight is not unsuitable to a man of such vast greatness and strength, as his height speaks him to be.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5
1 Samuel 17:5 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. Ver. 5. And he had an helmet of brass (or steel) upon his head.] Which yet could not save his head. No armour is of proof against the Almighty. If he set himself against a man, no other helps can relieve him. Brass and steel cannot fence one against fire and water. "Now God is a consuming fire," and his "breath a stream of brimstone." And he was armed with a coat of mail.] Lorica squamata, like fish scales, one lying over another, to ward off deadly darts, or other weapons of war, leviathan like. Five thousand shekels of brass.] That is, One hundred and fifty-six pounds, and more, besides all the weight of his other arms; which yet he could well wield and make use of in fight.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5
(5) A coat of mail.—More accurately, breastplate of scales. This armour has been sometimes understood as “chain armour,” but it is more probable that the Philistine armour was made of metal scales, like those of a fish, whose defensive coat was, no doubt, imitated at a very early date by this warlike race, who dwelt on the sea-shore, and whose life and worship were so closely connected with the great sea. This coat of mail, or corselet, was flexible, and covered the back and sides of the wearer. The weight of the different pieces of the giant’s panoply largely exceeds the weight of mediæval suits of armour.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5
Verse 5. He was armed with a coat of mail] The words in the original, שרון קשקשים shiryon kaskassim, mean a coat of mail formed of plates of brass overlapping each other, like the scales of a fish, or tiles of a house. This is the true notion of the original terms. With thin plates of brass or iron, overlapping each other, were the ancient coats of mail formed in different countries; many formed in this way may be now seen in the tower of London. The weight - five thousand shekels] Following Bishop Cumberland's tables, and rating the shekel at two hundred and nineteen grains, and the Roman ounce at four hundred and thirty-eight grains, we find that Goliath's coat of mail, weighing five thousand shekels, was exactly one hundred and fifty-six pounds four ounces avoirdupois. A vast weight for a coat of mail, but not all out of proportion to the man.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 17:5
5. a coat of mail] “A corselet of scales,” made of overlapping plates of metal, and protecting the body almost down to the knees. Armour of this kind is represented in the Assyrian sculptures. See Layard’s Nineveh II. 335. Cp. Virg. Aen. XI. 487, “Turnus … thoraca indutus aenis Horrebat squamis.” five thousand shekels] Estimated at about 157 pounds avoirdupois.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 17:5
Coat of mail - Or “breastplate of scales.” A kind of metal shirt, protecting the back as well as the breast, and made of scales like those of a fish; as was the corselet of Rameses III, now in the British Museum.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5
5. A helmet of brass — A defensive armour for the head. A coat of mail — Literally, a coat of scales.