King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:5 in the King James Version says “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 t...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 17:5 · KJV

Context

3

And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

4

And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

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

6

And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. target: or, gorget

7

And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.

Read 1 Samuel 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The Goliath narrative demonstrates that human impossibilities create opportunities for divine glory. David's confidence rests not in weapons or military training but in the character of the God who delivered him from lion and bear. His declaration that 'the battle is the LORD's' establishes the theological principle that spiritual victory comes through faith in God's power rather than confidence in human strength. The contrast between Saul's armor (representing human methods) and simple shepherd's weapons (representing faith) teaches that God uses unexpected means to accomplish His purposes and receive glory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The establishment of monarchy around 1050-1010 BCE represented a dramatic political and theological shift for Israel. Unlike surrounding nations where kings were considered divine or semi-divine, Israel's kings were supposed to function under God's ultimate authority as laid out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Benjamite tribe occupied strategic territory between Ephraim and Judah, making Saul's selection a politically astute choice to balance tribal rivalries. Archaeological remains from this period show increased fortification and centralization of settlements, confirming the transition to state-level organization.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
  2. What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
  3. How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְכ֤וֹבַע1 of 14

“And he had an helmet”

H3553

a helmet (as arched)

נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃2 of 14

“of brass”

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

עַל3 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רֹאשׁ֔וֹ4 of 14

“upon his head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַשִּׁרְי֔וֹן5 of 14

“of the coat”

H8302

a corslet (as if twisted)

קַשְׂקַשִּׂ֖ים6 of 14

“of mail”

H7193

a scale (of a fish); hence a coat of mail (as composed of or covered with jointed plates of metal)

ה֣וּא7 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לָב֑וּשׁ8 of 14

“and he was armed”

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

וּמִשְׁקַל֙9 of 14

“and the weight”

H4948

weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act)

הַשִּׁרְי֔וֹן10 of 14

“of the coat”

H8302

a corslet (as if twisted)

חֲמֵֽשֶׁת11 of 14

“was five”

H2568

five

אֲלָפִ֥ים12 of 14

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

שְׁקָלִ֖ים13 of 14

“shekels”

H8255

probably a weight; used as a commercial standard

נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃14 of 14

“of brass”

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 17:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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