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Download Free PDFHeight Theology: The Theological Use of Lexical Ambiguity in the David and Goliath StoryAvinoam Sharon

2017, Jewish Bible Quarterly

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Abstract

AI

This study explores the use of lexical ambiguity in the story of David and Goliath, particularly focusing on the depiction of David through terms like "na'ar" and their implications for understanding his character. It highlights how the ambiguity allows readers to envision David as both small and impressive, reflecting a deeper theological message about God's perspective versus human perception. The analysis suggests that the author skillfully manipulates language to frame David as a hero within a narrative where divine intervention plays a crucial role.

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Key takeaways

AI

1. The ambiguity of David's youthfulness serves a theological purpose, emphasizing God's power over physical might.
2. David's image contrasts with Goliath's, representing Israel's perceived weakness against overwhelming odds.
3. David's rejection of Saul's armor reflects strategic wisdom, favoring mobility over weighty protection.
4. The narrative employs lexical ambiguity to manipulate perceptions of David's physical stature and royal potential.
5. The text highlights a dichotomy between human perception and divine insight, underscoring spiritual over physical qualities.

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References (23)

1. the Hebrew expressed by the juxtaposition of "eyes" and "heart" that is important to the broader context. Robert Alter, The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1999), translates: "For man sees with the eyes and the Lord sees with the heart." I have chosen a more literal translation in order to stress the poetic parallel- ism and grammatical awkwardness of the Hebrew expression, which seems intended to draw the reader's attention to the idea of "looking to the eyes" before introducing David, who has "beauti- ful eyes".
2. Indeed, on this basis, and a conjecture about the possible size of the teraphim in I Samuel 19:16, McKenzie speculates that "we may imagine David as a short man" (Steven L. McKenzie, King David: A Biography, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000) pp. 64-65).
3. Thus we find katan referring to a younger brother, e.g., Jacob (Gen. 27:15, 27:42);
4. Benjamin (e.g., Gen. 42:13, 42:15, 42:20), Ephraim (Gen. 48:19); and to something small, e.g. Ex. 18:22 (a small matter);
5. I Sam. 2:19 (a little cloak). McKenzie also notes this ambiguous use of the word katan in context (McKenzie, King David, p. 64).
6. For a different understanding of the term "ish ha-beynayim", see Jeffrey R. Zorn, "Reconsid- ering Goliath: An Iron Age I Philistine Chariot Warrior," 360 BASOR 1 (November 2010).
7. E.g., Genesis 22:3; I Sam. 2:15; 25:14; II Sam. 9:9; 16:1; II Kings 5:20.
8. As Alter notes on I Samuel 30:17: "Again, the versatile na'ar is not an indication of chrono- logical age but is used in its military sense, which appears to be something like 'elite troops,' or perhaps simply 'fighting men.'" Alter, The David Story, p. 186. And see II Samuel 18 where the term na'ar is repeatedly used in reference to the rebellious Absalom.
9. This term appears in I Samuel 20:35; I Kings 3:7 and 11:17, and in II Kings 5:14.
10. P. Kyle McCarter, Jr., The Anchor Bible, 1 Samuel: A New Translation with Introduction, Notes & Commentary (New York: Doubleday, 1980), p. 297.
11. See, e.g., I Sam. 18:27.
12. See Anchor Bible, p. 293: "Saul objects (v 33) not so much on the grounds of David's youth and small stature as of his lack of training and experience…David is 'only a lad'…and not a combatant, whereas the Philistine is a professionally trained and battle seasoned soldier, 'a war- rior since his youth."' 12. Alter, The David Story, 107.
13. McKenzie, King David, p. 74
14. Yair Zakovich & Avigdor Shinan, Lo Kach Katuv Ba-Tanakh (Tel Aviv: Miskal -Yediot Ahronoth Books and Chemed Books, 2004), p. 191 (Hebrew) (translation mine -A.S.).
15. And see: TB Yevamot 76b: "And Saul clothed David in his own battle garb (I Samuel 17:38), being of the same size as his, and about Saul it is written, head and shoulders taller than all the people (I Samuel 9:2)."
16. Rashi on I Sam. 17:38: "They became David's size because he had been anointed with the anointing oil, even though they were Saul's, who was head-and-shoulders taller than all the people. And when Saul saw this, he looked upon him with an evil eye, and David sensed it." (In giving this explanation, Rashi draws upon the midrash, see, e.g., Midrash Aggada (Buber), Lev. 21:15).
17. Hillel I. Millgram, The Invention of Monotheist Ethics (Lanham: University Press of Ameri- ca, 2010), vol. I, 163.
18. Midrash Tanhuma (Buber), Parashat Emor 6, and see Midrash Aggada (Buber), Lev. 21:15; Leviticus Rabbah (Margulies) 26:9; and see TB Yevamot 76b.
19. For a detailed discussion of Goliath's sword, see: Zorn, "Reconsidering Goliath," pp. 9-14, and see also: Stanley Isser, The Sword of Goliath: David in Heroic Literature (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003) pp. 34-37.
20. Alter, The David Story, 133.
21. It is not my intention to conjecture as to David's precise height, or the possible height of an Iron Age giant, nor to weigh in on the question of Goliath's height as reflected by the Masoretic Text (six cubits and a span), as opposed to the Septuagint, Josephus, the Dead Sea Scrolls text of Samuel, and the reading adopted by the International Standard Version (four cubits and a span), and whether any of these descriptions should be taken at face value. I would note, however, that the weight of Goliath's gear cannot serve as a definitive indicator for preferring one figure over the other, bearing in mind that a recent study shows that a modern U.S. marine, although stand- ing well under four cubits and a span, can carry an "assault load" of as much as 135 lbs., and notes: "He is still as heavily burdened as the soldier of 1000 years B.C." Lightening the Load (Naval Research Advisory Committee Report (Sept. 2007)) https://www.nrac.navy.mil/docs/2007_rpt_lightening_the_load.pdf. For a discussion of Goliath's height, see: McKenzie, King David, pp. 73-74 (who describes Goliath as "just tall enough to play guard or maybe small forward in the NBA"); and see: J. Daniel Hays, "Reconsidering the Height of Goliath," 48 (4) JETS 701-714 (2005).
22. Midrash Tanhuma (Buber), Parashat Emor 6, and see Midrash Aggada (Buber), Leviticus 21; Leviticus Rabbah (Margulies) 26:9.
23. Alter, Art of Biblical Narrative, 148.   If you have written a paper in the Jewish Bible Quarterly and wish to see if it has been quoted in another academic journal, book, or doctoral dissertation, access http://scholar.google.com and type in Jewish Bible Quarterly under "journal" and your name under "au- thor".  

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FAQs

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What role do lexical ambiguities play in David's portrayal?add

The study reveals that David is described with ambiguous terms, allowing a dual image as both a weak youth and a capable warrior, emphasizing theological insights rather than clear physical characteristics.

How does Saul's armor emphasize David's perceived vulnerability?add

The narrative illustrates that Saul's armor, which David finds cumbersome, serves to heighten the image of his vulnerability while underlining the dependence on divine strength for victory.

What theological implications are found in David's confrontation with Goliath?add

The findings demonstrate that David's reliance on God for victory signifies the overarching theme that divine intervention is crucial, challenging typical perceptions of strength in warfare.

Why does the text leave David's size ambiguous?add

The narrative intentionally creates ambiguity regarding David's size to convey the theological message that true strength lies in divine favor, not physical attributes.

How is Goliath's sword significant to the narrative's portrayal of David?add

The analysis shows that Goliath's sword, presumed large and unwieldy, symbolically contrasts David's perceived vulnerability while reinforcing the miraculous nature of his victory.

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