| Gath. (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. 1Sa 17:4; 1Sa 17:23. 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; 2Ch 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. Smith's Bible Dictionary or |
Occurences In Authorized Version
32 Verse(s)
1 Samuel 5:8, 1Sa 6:17, 1Sa 7:14, 1Sa 17:4, 1Sa 17:23, 1Sa 17:52, 1Sa 21:10, 1Sa 21:12, 1Sa 27:2, 1Sa 27:3, 1Sa 27:4, 1Sa 27:11,
2 Samuel 1:20, 2Sa 15:18, 2Sa 21:20, 2Sa 21:22,
1 Kings 2:39, 1Ki 2:40, 1Ki 2:41,