Gath (Tell es-Safi): Goliath's Hometown
The 2005 ostracon with Goliath-like names and Hazael's siege trench
Found 1996 — Aren M. Maeir (Bar-Ilan University), Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project, 1996–present (earlier soundings by Bliss & Macalister 1899)
Where Tell es-Safi (Tel Zafit), Shephelah, at the mouth of the Elah valley (Israel)
Dates from c. 1175–830 BCE (Philistine city); ostracon c. 950 BCE; siege c. 830 BCE · Iron Age I–IIA · Judges, Saul, David; later Hazael of Aram
Now at Site (Tel Zafit National Park); ostracon and finds held by the Tell es-Safi/Gath Project at Bar-Ilan University and the Israel Antiquities Authority
How Gath (Tell es-Safi): Goliath's Hometown was found
Maeir's team identified a 2.5-km siege trench ringing the site, cut by Hazael of Aram (compare 2 Melachim 12:17), and a massive destruction of the 9th-century city. In 2005 an inscribed sherd turned up with two non-Semitic names, 'lwt and wlt, written in early alphabetic letters. Later seasons exposed a huge Iron I–IIA city, a temple with two pillars, and a monumental gate.
What it is
One of the largest Iron Age cities in the land, over 100 acres. The ostracon is a small sherd with two names ending in the Indo-European style; scholars compare them to the biblical name Golyat (Goliath), which has a similar non-Semitic shape. Hazael's dry moat is up to 8 m deep.
Why it matters for the Bible
Gath was Goliath's city (1 Shmuel 17:4) and David's refuge under Achish (1 Shmuel 27). The ostracon does not name Goliath, but it shows names like his were in use at Gath around David's time, so the biblical name is authentic to place and period. The size of Iron I Gath explains why Judah's early history is so full of Philistine pressure, and Hazael's siege trench matches 2 Melachim 12:17, where Hazael 'fought against Gath and took it.' The Philistine temple with two central pillars is often compared with the temple Shimshon (Samson) pulled down.
The Hebrew word: gol-YAHT
גָּלְיָת
גָּלְיָת is pronounced gol-YAHT and means Goliath (Strong's H1555).
People this discovery connects to
- Goliath — גָּלְיָת (gol-YAHT) — non-Semitic; possibly 'exile' by folk etymology
- Achish — אָכִישׁ (ah-CHEESH) — non-Semitic royal name
- Hazael — חֲזָאֵל (chah-zah-EL) — El has seen
Places
- Gath — גַּת (gaht) — winepress
Events
David and Goliath of Gath (1 Samuel 17) · David flees to Achish of Gath (1 Samuel 21, 27) · Hazael captures Gath (2 Kings 12:17)
Gath (Tell es-Safi): Goliath's Hometown in Scripture
Joshua 11:22 First mention of Gath in Scripture.
1 Samuel 17:4 'Goliath, of Gath'; the 2005 ostracon shows Goliath-type names at Gath in the 10th century.
2 Kings 12:17 Hazael took Gath; the siege trench and burned city are the archaeological trace.
Questions people ask
What is Gath (Tell es-Safi): Goliath's Hometown?
One of the largest Iron Age cities in the land, over 100 acres. The ostracon is a small sherd with two names ending in the Indo-European style; scholars compare them to the biblical name Golyat (Goliath), which has a similar non-Semitic shape. Hazael's dry moat is up to 8 m deep.
When was Gath (Tell es-Safi): Goliath's Hometown discovered?
It was found in 1996 by Aren M. Maeir (Bar-Ilan University), Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project, 1996–present (earlier soundings by Bliss & Macalister 1899), at Tell es-Safi (Tel Zafit), Shephelah, at the mouth of the Elah valley.
Where is Gath (Tell es-Safi): Goliath's Hometown today?
Site (Tel Zafit National Park); ostracon and finds held by the Tell es-Safi/Gath Project at Bar-Ilan University and the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Which Bible verses does Gath (Tell es-Safi): Goliath's Hometown relate to?
Joshua 11:22, 1 Samuel 17:4, 2 Kings 12:17.
Related discoveries
- מָצוֹרTell es-Safi/Gath: Hazael's Siege TrenchA 2-km ditch and burnt city marking the Aramean destruction of Gath
- צִקְלַגKhirbet a-Ra'i (Ziklag?)A Philistine-era site proposed as David's town of refuge
- עֶקְרוֹןTel Miqne-Ekron Olive-Oil Industry and Royal InscriptionThe largest olive-oil factory of the ancient world, and a Philistine king's dedication naming his city
- סַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּיםEkron Royal Dedicatory Inscription'Achish son of Padi... ruler of Ekron' carved in a Philistine temple
- בֵּית דָּוִדTel Dan SteleAramean victory inscription naming the 'House of David'
- שַׁעַרTel Dan Iron Age Gate ComplexThe stone gate, plaza and 'seat of judgment' where the Tel Dan Stele was reused
Sources
- A. M. Maeir et al., 'A Late Iron Age I/Early Iron Age II Old Canaanite Inscription from Tell es-Safi/Gath', BASOR 351 (2008)
- Wikipedia: Tell es-Safi inscription
- Tell es-Safi/Gath Project blog
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