Changes

Goliath was almost certainly a [[giant]]. The question arises as to how he came to be one. Did he suffer from a [[medicine|medical]] condition? Modern [[doctor]]s have suggested that, if Goliath actually lived, then he suffered from a [[pituitary adenoma]] that over-produced the [[human growth hormone]] during his [[adolescence|adolescent]] years. This would indeed produce the disease called [[giantism]] today. Many such "pituitary giants" are known to medical science, and they generally have all their organs and bones, all in proper proportion to one another.

Goliath was almost certainly a [[giant]]. The question arises as to how he came to be one. Did he suffer from a [[medicine|medical]] condition? Modern [[doctor]]s have suggested that, if Goliath actually lived, then he suffered from a [[pituitary adenoma]] that over-produced the [[human growth hormone]] during his [[adolescence|adolescent]] years. This would indeed produce the disease called [[giantism]] today. Many such "pituitary giants" are known to medical science, and they generally have all their organs and bones, all in proper proportion to one another.

But the speculation does not stop there. These same doctors speculate that the pituitary tumor grew to impinge upon the [[optic chiasm]] and cut off the signals that pass from each [[eye]] to the opposing [[occipital lobe]], which is the center for visual processing. Thus Goliath would have suffered [[bitemporal hemianopsia]], which produces "tunnel vision," and thus David would have been better able to approach him close enough to deliver a killing blow with his slingshot.<ref>Berginer, Vladimir M. [http://www.ima.org.il/imaj/ar00sep-15.pdf Neurological Aspects of the David-Goliath Battle: Restriction in the Giant's Visual Field]. ''IMAJ''2000;2:725-727 (requires a PDF reader or plug-in)</ref>

But the speculation does not stop there. These same doctors speculate that the pituitary tumor grew to impinge upon the [[optic chiasm]] and cut off the signals that pass from each [[eye]] to the opposing [[occipital lobe]], which is the center for visual processing. Thus Goliath would have suffered [[bitemporal hemianopsia]], which produces "tunnel vision," and thus David would have been better able to approach him close enough to deliver a killing blow with his slingshot.<ref>Berginer, Vladimir M. [http://www.ima.org.il/imaj/ar00sep-15.pdf Neurological Aspects of the David-Goliath Battle: Restriction in the Giant's Visual Field]. ''IMAJ'' 2000;2:725-727 (requires a PDF reader or plug-in)</ref>

Such speculation ignores three key facts. One is the utility of the ancient slingshot; indeed the Book of [[Judges (book)|Judges]] speaks of a cadre of slingers who each could reliably hit a target no broader than a human hair.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Judges|chap=20|verses=16|version=KJV}}</ref> Though that verse does not say from how far away the slingers could accomplish this feat, one must remember that the combat between David and Goliath was at very close range, with the two combatants never more than five or six cubits apart from one another. In all likelihood, David could have defeated a three-meter-tall man having full possession of his visual faculties--and equally likely, the Philistines would not have invested such effort to train and equip a man, no matter how tall he stood, if he had, in effect, two blind sides.

Such speculation ignores three key facts. One is the utility of the ancient slingshot; indeed the Book of [[Judges (book)|Judges]] speaks of a cadre of slingers who each could reliably hit a target no broader than a human hair.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Judges|chap=20|verses=16|version=KJV}}</ref> Though that verse does not say from how far away the slingers could accomplish this feat, one must remember that the combat between David and Goliath was at very close range, with the two combatants never more than five or six cubits apart from one another. In all likelihood, David could have defeated a three-meter-tall man having full possession of his visual faculties--and equally likely, the Philistines would not have invested such effort to train and equip a man, no matter how tall he stood, if he had, in effect, two blind sides.