📖 Biblical Definition
One of the five great Philistine cities (the Pentapolis: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron). Gath's most famous resident in Scripture is Goliath of Gath (1 Sam 17:4, 23), the champion David killed with a sling-stone in the Valley of Elah. Other giants are also associated with Gath (2 Sam 21:18-22 names four more Philistine giants killed by David's men). David himself fled to Gath when escaping Saul, twice taking refuge with Achish king of Gath (1 Sam 21:10-15, where he feigned madness; and 1 Sam 27:1-12, where he served under Achish as a vassal). David later conquered Gath (2 Sam 8:1; 1 Chr 18:1). Solomon's rebellious official Shimei broke his oath by going to Gath to recover slaves (1 Kgs 2:39-41). Archaeology identifies Gath with Tell es-Safi, where excavations have confirmed massive Philistine fortifications. The city that produced Goliath also harbored fugitive David — the deep biblical irony of the same place serving as enemy stronghold and provident refuge in different chapters of one life.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Philistine city; Goliath's home; David's refuge.
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One of the five great Philistine cities; home of Goliath and his giant brothers; ironically the place where David fled twice when running from Saul, feigning madness before Achish king of Gath.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Samuel 17:4 — "And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath."
1 Samuel 21:10 — "And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath."
2 Samuel 1:20 — "Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Read as a footnote rather than as the dramatic stage on which David's story repeatedly turned.
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Gath keeps showing up: the giant-city, the refuge-city, the embarrassment-city ('tell it not in Gath'). David's life loops through Gath. The geography repeats; God draws lessons in repetition.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Gat — winepress.
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['Hebrew', 'H1661', 'Gat', 'Gath, winepress']
['Hebrew', 'H1555', 'Goliath', 'Goliath']
Usage
"Gath is where giants and refugees both lived."
"Tell it not in Gath."