1 Samuel 17:5
New International Version
He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels;

New Living Translation
He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds.

English Standard Version
He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.

Berean Standard Bible
and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels,

King James Bible
And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

New King James Version
He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.

New American Standard Bible
And he had a bronze helmet on his head, and he wore scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.

NASB 1995
He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.

NASB 1977
And he had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor, and the weight of that scale-armor was five thousand shekels of bronze.

Amplified Bible
He had a bronze helmet on his head, and wore a coat of scale-armor (overlapping metal plates) which weighed 5,000 shekels of bronze.

Christian Standard Bible
and wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed one hundred twenty-five pounds.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed 125 pounds.

American Standard Version
And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

English Revised Version
And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he wore a bronze coat of armor scales weighing 125 pounds.

Good News Translation
and wore bronze armor that weighed about 125 pounds and a bronze helmet.

International Standard Version
wore a bronze helmet on his head, and wore bronze scale armor that weighed about 5,000 shekels.

Majority Standard Bible
and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels,

NET Bible
He had a bronze helmet on his head and was wearing scale body armor. The weight of his bronze body armor was five thousand shekels.

New Heart English Bible
And he had a helmet on his head, and wore bronze scale-armor. And the weight of the bronze armor was five thousand shekels.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

World English Bible
He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he wore a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and a helmet of bronze [is] on his head, and he is clothed [with] a scaled coat of mail, and the weight of the coat of mail [is] five thousand shekels of bronze,

Young's Literal Translation
and a helmet of brass is on his head, and with a scaled coat of mail he is clothed, and the weight of the coat of mail is five thousand shekels of brass,

Smith's Literal Translation
And a helmet of brass upon his head, and a coat of mail of scales he put on; and the weight of the coat of mail five thousand shekels of brass.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clothed with a coat of mail with scales, and the weight of his coat of mail was five thousand sicles of brass:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clothed with a breastplate of scales. Moreover, the weight of his breastplate was five thousand shekels of brass.

New American Bible
He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a bronze breastplate of scale armor weighing five thousand shekels,

New Revised Standard Version
He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of his coat of mail was five thousand shekels of brass.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a helmet of brass was on his head and he wore a breastplate of metal, and the weight of his breastplate five thousand shekels of brass
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he had a helmet upon his head, and he wore a breastplate of chain armour; and the weight of his breastplate was five thousand shekels of brass and iron.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Goliath's Challenge
4Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height, 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.…

Cross References
Ephesians 6:11-17
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. / Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. ...

Isaiah 59:17
He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.

2 Corinthians 10:4
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

2 Samuel 21:16
Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David.

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.

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.

Job 41:26-29
The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or dart or arrow. / He regards iron as straw and bronze as rotten wood. / No arrow can make him flee; slingstones become like chaff to him. ...

Isaiah 9:5
For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

Isaiah 11:4-5
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. / Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Jeremiah 46:4
Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears; put on armor!

Ezekiel 38:4
I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great company armed with shields and bucklers, all brandishing their swords.

Ezekiel 39:9
Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out, kindle fires, and burn up the weapons—the bucklers and shields, the bows and arrows, the clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel.


Treasury of Scripture

And he had an helmet of brass on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

armed [heb] clothed

Jump to Previous
Armed Armor Brass Bronze Clad Clothed Coat Corselet Dressed Head Head-Dress Helmet Mail Metal Scale Scale-Armor Scales Shekels Thousand Weighed Weighing Weight Wore
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Armed Armor Brass Bronze Clad Clothed Coat Corselet Dressed Head Head-Dress Helmet Mail Metal Scale Scale-Armor Scales Shekels Thousand Weighed Weighing Weight Wore
1 Samuel 17
1. The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle
4. Goliath challenges a combat
12. David, sent by his father to visit his brothers, takes the challenge
28. Eliab chides him
30. He is brought to Saul
32. shows the reason of his confidence
38. and slays the giant
55. Saul takes notice of David














He had a bronze helmet on his head
The mention of a "bronze helmet" signifies the advanced military technology and craftsmanship of the Philistines. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, was a significant material in ancient warfare, offering durability and protection. The helmet symbolizes not only physical protection but also the might and intimidation of Goliath. In a spiritual sense, the helmet can be seen as a metaphor for the protection of the mind, a theme echoed in Ephesians 6:17, where believers are encouraged to take the "helmet of salvation."

and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze
The "coat of scale armor" is indicative of the Philistine's advanced military equipment. Scale armor, made of overlapping metal plates, provided flexibility and protection, resembling the scales of a fish. This imagery can be seen as a representation of Goliath's formidable and seemingly impenetrable defense. Spiritually, it reminds believers of the need for the "armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) to stand against spiritual adversaries. The use of bronze again highlights the wealth and power of the Philistine army, contrasting with the humble shepherd's garb of David.

weighing five thousand shekels
The weight of "five thousand shekels" (approximately 125 pounds or 57 kilograms) emphasizes the sheer size and strength of Goliath. This detail serves to magnify the challenge faced by David, underscoring the miraculous nature of his victory. Historically, this weight would have been daunting, suggesting that Goliath was not only a giant in stature but also in strength. Theologically, this can be seen as a reminder that God often uses the weak to confound the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27), highlighting His power and sovereignty in overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds.

(5) A coat of mail.--More accurately, breastplate of scales. This armour has been sometimes understood as "chain armour," but it is more probable that the Philistine armour was made of metal scales, like those of a fish, whose defensive coat was, no doubt, imitated at a very early date by this warlike race, who dwelt on the sea-shore, and whose life and worship were so closely connected with the great sea. This coat of mail, or corselet, was flexible, and covered the back and sides of the wearer. The weight of the different pieces of the giant's panoply largely exceeds the weight of mediaeval suits of armour.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and he wore a bronze
נְחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ (nə·ḥō·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base

helmet
וְכ֤וֹבַע (wə·ḵō·w·ḇa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3553: A helmet

and bronze
נְחֹֽשֶֽׁת׃ (nə·ḥō·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base

coat
וְשִׁרְי֥וֹן (wə·šir·yō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8302: Body armor

of mail
קַשְׂקַשִּׂ֖ים (qaś·qaś·śîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 7193: A scale, a coat of mail

weighing
וּמִשְׁקַל֙ (ū·miš·qal)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4948: Weight, weighing

five
חֲמֵשֶׁת־ (ḥă·mê·šeṯ-)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2568: Five

thousand
אֲלָפִ֥ים (’ă·lā·p̄îm)
Number - masculine plural
Strong's 505: A thousand

shekels.
שְׁקָלִ֖ים (šə·qā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8255: A weight, a commercial standard


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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:5 He had a helmet of brass (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 17:4
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