Numbers can be rather
problematic in the historical books of the OT, and numerous contradictory
readings can also be gleaned from the Septuagint. This is particularly true
with respect to 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. The Hebrew Masoretic Text of I Samuel
17:4 (dated from AD 9th-10th centuries) does read six cubits and a span
(which is about a half a cubit long). This would make Goliath to be about 9
3/4 feet tall.
However, the Greek Septuagint
(3rd century BC), the Dead Sea Scrolls (2nd century BC), and even Josephus
(AD 1st century) all read four cubits and a span in regards to Goliath's
height, which would make him to be about 6 3/4 ft. tall.
We decided to use the older text
traditions of this verse in the ISV translation because it seems more likely
that the MT, which dates more than 1100 years after the DSS and LXX,
would have been edited to reflect a higher stature for Goliath.
