The height of Goliath is described in **1 Samuel 17:4**, but there is some variation depending on the textual tradition used.
1. **Masoretic Text (Hebrew):**
The Masoretic Text, which is the basis for most modern translations of the Old Testament, states that Goliath was “six cubits and a span” tall. A cubit is typically understood to be about 18 inches (45 centimeters), and a span is roughly 9 inches (23 centimeters). This would make Goliath around **9 feet 9 inches (296 cm)** tall.
2. **Septuagint (Greek) and Dead Sea Scrolls:**
In contrast, the Septuagint (an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) and one fragment of the Dead Sea Scrolls describe Goliath’s height as “four cubits and a span.” This makes Goliath about **6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)** tall—still tall but not as extraordinary.
The difference in Goliath’s reported height likely reflects variations in ancient manuscript traditions. Most English translations today, such as the King James Version and the New International Version, follow the Masoretic Text’s “six cubits and a span” measurement.