Weird Stuff in the Bible

How Was Goliath So Tall?


Listen Later

I am on a bit of a David-and-Goliath kick right now, for three reasons. 

  • One, because I just got back from vacation where I saw an incredible production of David’s life at Sight and Sound theater. 
  • Two, there’s an amazing new show on Amazon called House of David that I just finished watching. 
  • And three, because the story of David and Goliath is a picture of the spiritual battle we all find ourselves in every day.

Now, even if you aren’t a Christian, you know the story of David and Goliath. The small Israelite boy who used a sling to destroy the giant champion of the Philistines. 

But when we say Goliath was a giant, what do we mean? Well, I Samuel 17 says he was six cubits and a span. I have enough trouble converting English to Metric, and my yardsticks growing up did NOT have an edge that measured cubits and spans.

Scholars will tell us that six cubits and a span amounts to anywhere from 9-foot-9 to 10-foot-6.

And yet those same scholars will tell us in the next breath that this must be some kind of mistake, because obviously, nobody can be 10 feet tall. Even Christian scholars will teach that this must be some kind of typo in the Bible.

Well, call me old-fashioned, or call me a fundamentalist, but I believe that the whole Bible is God’s Word, and that God doesn’t make mistakes.

So I take this to be literal truth. But I also take it to be weird. 

And I’d like to explore why it’s in the Bible. 

Turn to I Samuel 17, and let’s get weird.


Check out the new website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com


Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here:

https://weirdstuffinthebible.beehiiv.com/

You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one.


0:00 - Introduction

2:00 - The Origin of Goliath

8:10 - The Origin of the Anakim

11:40 - The Origin of the Nephilim

14:25 - Life Update & Mailbag

22:20 - Closing Thoughts

If you want to get in touch, my email is [email protected]

Hosted by Luke Taylor


If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Weird Stuff in the BibleBy Luke Taylor

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

41 ratings


More shows like Weird Stuff in the Bible

View all
Prophecy Today by Jimmy DeYoung Jr

Prophecy Today

361 Listeners

Discovering Truth with Dan Duval by Discovering Truth w Dan Duval

Discovering Truth with Dan Duval

417 Listeners

Prophecy Watchers by Gary Stearman

Prophecy Watchers

994 Listeners

BibleThinker by Mike Winger

BibleThinker

2,771 Listeners

End Time Headlines by End Time Headlines

End Time Headlines

443 Listeners

Megalithic Marvels by Derek Olson (aka stargate voyager)

Megalithic Marvels

273 Listeners

Blurry Creatures by Blurry Creatures

Blurry Creatures

4,895 Listeners

Bible Mysteries by Scott Mitchell, Bleav

Bible Mysteries

610 Listeners

THE MCCULLOUGH REPORT by Dr. Peter McCullough

THE MCCULLOUGH REPORT

2,485 Listeners

Jack Hibbs Podcast by JackHibbs.com

Jack Hibbs Podcast

12,680 Listeners

The Days of Noah by The Days of Noah

The Days of Noah

410 Listeners

Eyes on the Right Podcast by Amy

Eyes on the Right Podcast

571 Listeners

Prometheus Lens by Justin Brown

Prometheus Lens

137 Listeners

The Divine Council Worldview Podcast by Dr. Ronn Johnson

The Divine Council Worldview Podcast

241 Listeners

Imagine Heaven Podcast with John Burke by John Burke

Imagine Heaven Podcast with John Burke

302 Listeners