Encyclopedia entry
Gath
A wine-vat, one of the five royal cities of the Philistines (Josh. 13:3) on which the ark brought calamity (1 Sam. 5:8, 9; 6:17). It was famous also as being the birthplace or residence of Goliath (1 Sam. 17:4). David fled from Saul to Achish, king of Gath (1 Sam. 21:10; 27:2-4; Ps. 56), and his connection with it will account for the words in 2 Sam. 1:20. It was afterwards conquered by David (2 Sam. 8:1). It occupied a strong position on the borders of Judah and Philistia (1 Sam. 21:10; 1 Chr. 18:1). Its site has been identified with the hill called Tell esSafieh, the Alba Specula of the Middle Ages, which rises 695 feet above the plain on its east edge. It is noticed on monuments about B.C. 1500. (See METHEGAMMAH.)
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
(a wine press), one of the five royal cities of the Philistines; (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17) and the native place of the giant Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:4,23) It probably stood upon the conspicuous hill now called Tell-es-Safieh, upon the side of the plain of Philistia, at the foot of the mountains of Judah; 10 miles east of Ashdod, and about the same distance south by east of Ekron. It is irregular in form, and about 200 feet high. Gath occupied a strong position, (2 Chronicles 11:8) on the border of Judah and Philistia, (1 Samuel 21:10; 1 Chronicles 18:1) and from its strength and resources forming the key of both countries, it was the scene of frequent struggles, and was often captured and recaptured. (2 Kings 12:17; 2 Chronicles 11:8; 26:6; Amos 6:2) The ravages of war to which Gath was exposed appear to have destroyed it at a comparatively early period, as it is not mentioned among the other royal cities by the later prophets. (Zephaniah 2:4; Zechariah 9:5,6) It is familiar to the Bible student as the scene of one of the most romantic incidents in the life of King David. (1 Samuel 21:10-15)
In the Bible
40
Verses where Gath is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 6:69
Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon, together with their pasturelands.
- 1 Chronicles 7:21
Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son. Ezer and Elead were killed by the natives of Gath, because they went down to steal their livestock.
- 1 Chronicles 8:13
and Beriah and Shema (who were the heads of families living in Aijalon and who drove out the inhabitants of Gath).
- 1 Chronicles 18:1
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines.
- 1 Chronicles 20:6
And there was also a battle at Gath, where there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He too was descended from Rapha,
- 1 Chronicles 20:8
So these descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David and his servants.
+34 more verses naming Gath.
Scripture on Gath
30
Entries that reference Gath
40
See all 40 +−
- AmittaiAnakimAradArkBaalBileamEkronEzerGathhepher, Or GittahhepherGathrimmonGittiteGittitesGittithGoliathHaemorrhoidsHazaelHezekiahIttaiJaphiaJonathanLordMaachahMadnessMaochMetheg-ammahMethegammahMoresheth-gathMoreshethgathMusical Instruments Of The HebrewsNobObed-EdomObededomPhilistinesShimeiZiklag
Gath references
17
Voices on Gath
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
![Search the Scriptures Live - Wherever Two or Three Are Gathered [Matthew #78]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/f74GnvIkSMQ/hqdefault.jpg)
Sources · Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869) · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.