Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 17:5

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 17:5 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 17:5. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Samuel, this verse is about a big and strong soldier named Goliath, who wore heavy and shiny armor to protect himself in battle. His armor was made of metal and very, very heavy, showing how powerful he seemed to everyone.

1 Samuel 17:5: 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. [armed: Heb. clothed]

Contradiction with Psalm 44:6

Emphasizes trust in God rather than in physical weapons or armor.

Psalm 44:6: For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

Contradiction with 2 Corinthians 10:4

Describes the weapons of Christian warfare as not being physical but spiritual.

2 Corinthians 10:4: (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) [through God: or, to God]

Contradiction with Ephesians 6:12

Highlights the spiritual nature of true battles, contrasting with physical armor like Goliath's.

Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. [flesh...: Gr. blood and flesh] [spiritual...: or, wicked spirits] [high: or, heavenly]

Contradiction with Isaiah 31:1

Warns against relying on military strength or physical means for deliverance.

Isaiah 31:1: Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 17:47

Illustrates the battle being the Lord's, not dependent on physical armor or weapons.

1 Samuel 17:47: And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

Paradox #1

The verse describes a very large and heavy armor, specifically a coat of mail weighing about 5,000 shekels. Some argue that it would be scientifically inconsistent for a person to fight effectively while wearing such heavy armor, given the limitations of human strength and endurance.

Paradox #2

The contradiction in 1 Samuel 17:5 relates to the height and the weight of the armor described. Some versions of the Bible provide a very high number for how many shekels the armor weighs, which seems unusually heavy and possibly unrealistic for someone to wear. This has led to debates and discussions about the accuracy of these numbers or whether there was an error in translation or copying.

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