1 Samuel 17:7
1 Samuel 17:7 in Multiple Translations
The 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.
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.
And the staff 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.
The stem of his spear was as long as a cloth-worker's rod, and its head was made of six hundred shekels' weight of iron: and one went before him with his body-cover.
The shaft of his spear was as thick as weaver's beam, with an iron tip that weighed six hundred shekels. His shield-bearer walked ahead of him carrying his shield.
And the shaft of his speare was like a weauers beame: and his speare head weyed sixe hundreth shekels of yron: and one bearing a shielde went before him.
and the wood of his spear [is] like a beam of weavers', and the flame of his spear [is] six hundred shekels of iron, and the bearer of the buckler is going before him.
The staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. His shield bearer went before him.
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.
And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred sicles of iron: and his armourbearer went before him.
He also had a big spear. It had a cord on it to enable him to throw it better (OR, which was as thick as a weaver’s beam). The tip of the spear was made of iron and weighed ◄15 pounds/almost 7 kg.►. A soldier carrying a huge shield walked in front of him.
The long spear had a sharp point made of iron. The point was really heavy too, about 7 kilograms. Another soldier used to walk in front of Goliath, to carry his shield for him.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 17:7
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 17:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ו/חץ
וְ/עֵ֣ץ
חֲנִית֗/וֹ
כִּ/מְנוֹר֙
אֹֽרְגִ֔ים
וְ/לַהֶ֣בֶת
חֲנִית֔/וֹ
שֵׁשׁ
מֵא֥וֹת
שְׁקָלִ֖ים
בַּרְזֶ֑ל
וְ/נֹשֵׂ֥א
הַ/צִּנָּ֖ה
הֹלֵ֥ךְ
לְ/פָנָֽי/ו
ו/חץ
chêts
H2671
arrow
Conj | N-ms
וְ/עֵ֣ץ
ʻêts
H6086
tree
Conj | N-ms
חֲנִית֗/וֹ
chănîyth
H2595
spear
N-fs | Suff
כִּ/מְנוֹר֙
mânôwr
H4500
loom-beam
Prep | N-ms
אֹֽרְגִ֔ים
ʼârag
H707
to weave
V-Qal
וְ/לַהֶ֣בֶת
lehâbâh
H3852
flame
Conj | N-fs
חֲנִית֔/וֹ
chănîyth
H2595
spear
N-fs | Suff
שֵׁשׁ
shêsh
H8337
six
Adj
מֵא֥וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
שְׁקָלִ֖ים
sheqel
H8255
shekel
N-mp
בַּרְזֶ֑ל
barzel
H1270
iron
N-ms
וְ/נֹשֵׂ֥א
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
Conj | V-Qal
הַ/צִּנָּ֖ה
tsinnâh
H6793
hook
Art | N-fs
הֹלֵ֥ךְ
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Qal
לְ/פָנָֽי/ו
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 17:7
ו/חץ
chêts
H2671
"arrow"
Conj | N-ms
An arrow is a sharp object shot from a bow, used for hunting or battle, like those used by archers in the book of Judges. It can also symbolize God's powerful judgment.
Definition: arrow
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] archer, arrow, dart, shaft, staff, wound. See also: Genesis 49:23; Psalms 91:5; Psalms 7:14.
וְ/עֵ֣ץ
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
חֲנִית֗/וֹ
chănîyth
H2595
"spear"
N-fs | Suff
This word refers to a spear or lance used for thrusting, like a tent pole. It appears in the stories of Saul and Jonathan, where they use spears in battle. The word is also used to describe a shaft or spear-head.
Definition: 1) spear 1a) spear 1a1) shaft of a spear 1a2) spear-head
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: javelin, spear. See also: 1 Samuel 13:19; 2 Samuel 21:19; Psalms 35:3.
כִּ/מְנוֹר֙
mânôwr
H4500
"loom-beam"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the beam of a loom, used for weaving. It is also translated as a yoke for plowing, and appears in the KJV as beam.
Definition: 1) beam 1a) beam (carrying the heddles in a loom)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: beam. See also: 1 Samuel 17:7; 1 Chronicles 11:23; 1 Chronicles 20:5.
אֹֽרְגִ֔ים
ʼârag
H707
"to weave"
V-Qal
This word means to weave or plait, and is used to describe everyday tasks like weaving cloth or braiding hair. It also has figurative meanings, such as intrigue or plotting.
Definition: 1) to weave 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to weave (cloth) 1a2) to braid (Samson's hair) 1a3) weaver (subst.) 1a4) intrigue (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: weaver(-r). See also: Exodus 28:32; 2 Samuel 21:19; Isaiah 19:9.
וְ/לַהֶ֣בֶת
lehâbâh
H3852
"flame"
Conj | N-fs
This word refers to a flame or the tip of a weapon, like the head of a spear. It describes something sharp or pointed, often used in battle.
Definition: 1) flame 2) tip of weapon, point, head of spear
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: flame(-ming), head (of a spear). See also: Numbers 21:28; Isaiah 43:2; Psalms 29:7.
חֲנִית֔/וֹ
chănîyth
H2595
"spear"
N-fs | Suff
This word refers to a spear or lance used for thrusting, like a tent pole. It appears in the stories of Saul and Jonathan, where they use spears in battle. The word is also used to describe a shaft or spear-head.
Definition: 1) spear 1a) spear 1a1) shaft of a spear 1a2) spear-head
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: javelin, spear. See also: 1 Samuel 13:19; 2 Samuel 21:19; Psalms 35:3.
שֵׁשׁ
shêsh
H8337
"six"
Adj
This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.
Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.
מֵא֥וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
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.
בַּרְזֶ֑ל
barzel
H1270
"iron"
N-ms
Iron refers to a strong metal used for tools and furniture, symbolizing strength or harshness, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of iron implements.
Definition: 1) iron 1a) iron 1a1) iron ore 1a2) as material of furniture, utensils, implements 2) tool of iron 3) harshness, strength, oppression (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: par.zel (פַּרְזֶל "iron" H6523)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: (ax) head, iron. See also: Genesis 4:22; 2 Chronicles 2:6; Psalms 2:9.
וְ/נֹשֵׂ֥א
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
Conj | V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
הַ/צִּנָּ֖ה
tsinnâh
H6793
"hook"
Art | N-fs
This Hebrew word for shield refers to a protective device used in battle, like a buckler. It appears in the Bible as a symbol of God's protection, as in Psalm 5:12. The word also means cold, as in piercing or biting.
Definition: 1) something piercing, hook, barb 1a) meaning uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: buckler, cold, hook, shield, target. See also: 1 Samuel 17:7; Psalms 5:13; Psalms 35:2.
הֹלֵ֥ךְ
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Qal
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
לְ/פָנָֽי/ו
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 17:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 17:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:7
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:7
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 17:7
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 17:7
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:7
Context — Goliath’s Challenge
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.
8And Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and array yourselves for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. 9If he is able to fight me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and work for us.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 21:19 | Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 17:41 | Now the Philistine came closer and closer to David, with his shield-bearer before him. |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 11:23 | He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 20:5 | Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. |
1 Samuel 17:7 Summary
This verse, 1 Samuel 17:7, describes the massive spear carried by the giant Goliath, emphasizing his size and strength. The spear's shaft was as big as a weaver's beam, and its iron point weighed about 7.5 pounds, making it a formidable weapon. Goliath's shield bearer went before him, adding to his intimidating presence, much like the armor described in 1 Samuel 17:5-6. This sets the stage for the famous battle between David and Goliath, where David's faith in God ultimately leads to victory, as in 1 Samuel 17:45-47 and Psalm 121:1-2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the spear's shaft being like a weaver's beam in 1 Samuel 17:7?
The comparison of the spear's shaft to a weaver's beam in 1 Samuel 17:7 indicates its large size and strength, emphasizing Goliath's imposing presence, much like the descriptions of his armor in 1 Samuel 17:5-6.
How heavy was the iron point of Goliath's spear?
According to 1 Samuel 17:7, the iron point of Goliath's spear weighed six hundred shekels, which is approximately 7.5 pounds or 3.4 kilograms, a massive weight for a spearhead, as described in the context of his other armor in 1 Samuel 17:5-6.
What role did Goliath's shield bearer play?
Goliath's shield bearer, mentioned in 1 Samuel 17:7, went before him, likely to carry his shield and provide protection, similar to how attendants served other important figures in the Bible, such as in Judges 9:54.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of David and Goliath?
This verse, 1 Samuel 17:7, sets the stage for the confrontation between David and Goliath, highlighting Goliath's formidable strength and armor, which contrasts with David's faith and trust in God, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:45-47 and Psalm 121:1-2.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I'm facing a 'giant' like Goliath, and how can I trust God to help me overcome them, as in 1 Samuel 17:45-47?
- How does the description of Goliath's armor and spear in 1 Samuel 17:5-7 make me think about the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:10-18, and how can I apply that to my own life?
- What role do I think faith and trust in God played in the story of David and Goliath, and how can I apply that to my own experiences, as in Romans 8:28 and Proverbs 3:5-6?
- In what ways can I, like David, trust in God's power and provision, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, as in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 41:10?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:7
And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam,.... The wooden part of it, held in the hand; this for thickness was like the beam in the weaver's loom, about which the warp, or else the web, is
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:7
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:7
A weaver’ s beam, on which the weavers fasten their web. It was like this for thickness; and for length, that he omits, as easy to be collected by proportion to the rest. And though the whole weight of Goliath’ s armour may seem prodigious, yet it is not so much by far as one Athanatus did manage; of whom Pliny relates, that he saw him come into the theatre with arms weighing 12,000 ounces.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:7
1 Samuel 17:7 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.Ver. 7. And one bearing a shield.] For state’ s sake. He came into the field like thunder and lightning, but went out like a snuff.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:7
Verse 7. The staff on his spear was like a weaver's beam] Either like that on which the warp is rolled, or that on which the cloth is rolled. We know not how thick this was, because there were several sorts of looms, and the sizes of the beams very dissimilar. Our woollen, linen, cotton, and silk looms are all different in the size of their beams; and I have seen several that I should not suppose too thick, though they might be too short, for Goliath's spear. His spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron] That is, his spear's head was of iron, and it weighed six hundred shekels; this, according to the former computation, would amount to eighteen pounds twelve ounces. And one bearing a shield] הצנה hatstsinnah, from צן tsan, pointed or penetrating, if it do not mean some kind of a lance, must mean a shield, with what is called the umbo, a sharp protuberance, in the middle, with which they could as effectually annoy their enemies as defend themselves. Many of the old Highland targets were made with a projecting dagger in the centre. Taking the proportions of things unknown to those known, the armour of Goliath is supposed to have weighed not less than two hundred and seventy-two pounds thirteen ounces! Plutarch informs us that the ordinary weight of a soldier's panoply, or complete armour, was one talent, or sixty pounds; and that one Alcimus, in the army of Demetrius, was considered as a prodigy, because his panoply weighed two talents, or one hundred and twenty pounds.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 17:7
7. the staff of his spear, &c.] The shaft of Goliath’s spear, short, but extraordinarily stout and heavy, is compared to the “beam” to which the web is fastened in a loom (cp. 2 Samuel 21:19). The iron spear head weighed nearly nineteen pounds avoirdupois. one bearing a shield] A large shield to protect the whole body. Comp. Layard’s Nineveh II. 346, “The archers, whether on foot or in chariots, were accompanied by shield-bearers, whose office it was to protect them from the shafts of the enemy. The king was always attended in his wars by this officer; and even in peace, one of his eunuchs usually carried a circular shield for his use. This shield-bearer was probably a person of high rank as in Egypt.” Ajax protects Teucer with his shield while he is shooting (Hom. Il. VIII. 266–272).
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 17:7
Spear’s-head - literally, “the flame of his spear,” the metal part which flashed like a flame. Six hundred shekels - i. e., between seventeen and eighteen pounds avoirdupois.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:7
7. The staff of his spear — So the Keri, and the parallel passages in 2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 20:5. But the Kethib here reads, ηφηπιϊε, arrow of his spear, that is, the arrow-head, or iron point, of his javelin.