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# goliath

proper noun (Goliath); noun (a goliath — something huge)

«goliath» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (Bible) Goliath was a giant Philistine warrior whom the young shepherd David killed with a stone from his sling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goliath/#m1)
2. A goliath is a very big, strong person, company or thing, often one that is beaten by a smaller one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goliath/#m2)

### In the lessons

"David and Goliath" teaches that courage and faith can beat size and strength. Sports reporters say "a David and Goliath match" when a tiny team plays a famous one. In science, the Goliath beetle and Goliath frog are among the biggest of their kind. Phrases: David and Goliath, a goliath of a company.

### Examples

- Goliath was over nine feet tall and wore heavy armour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goliath/#x1)
- David slung a stone, and Goliath fell to the ground. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goliath/#x2)
- Our village team against the champions was a real David and Goliath game. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goliath/#x3)
- The Goliath beetle is one of the heaviest insects. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goliath/#x4)
- The little shop stood up to the supermarket goliath. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goliath/#x5)
- Everyone was afraid of Goliath except David. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goliath/#x6)
- Certainly a Goliath like you could creep in with ease, and throw out the coins to us." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goliath/#x7)

### Note

Capital G for the giant; small g in the general sense is possible but rare. Sometimes "nine feet" is said as about three metres. The story's lesson is that the underdog can win.

## In Jewish tradition

The giant Philistine champion of Gath whom David defeated. One verse says Elhanan killed him.

**Interpretation.** Tradition celebrates David's victory as faith in God over brute strength. The verse about Elhanan is explained by the sages and commentators as another name for David or as a different giant with the same name.

### Examples

- And he inquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.' (Prophets 1SA.22.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goliath/#x1)
- And there went out a champion from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. (Prophets 1SA.17.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goliath/#x2)
- And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob; and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Beth-lehemite slew Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. (Prophets 2SA.21.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goliath/#x3)

### Note

Capital G for the giant; small g in the general sense is possible but rare. Sometimes "nine feet" is said as about three metres. The story's lesson is that the underdog can win.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «goliath» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goliath/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«goliath» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/goliath.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «goliath» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goliath/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«goliath» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/goliath.html) on Mova free.