(Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17). This name represents in Greek
letters the Aramaic word Gulgaltha, which is the Hebrew Gulgoleth
(Numbers 1:2; 1 Chronicles 23:3, 24; 2 Kings 9:35), meaning “a skull.” It is
identical with the word Calvary (q.v.). It was a little knoll rounded like a
bare skull. It is obvious from the evangelists that it was some well-known
spot outside the gate (comp. Hebrews 13:12), and near the city (Luke
23:26), containing a “garden” (John 19:41), and on a thoroughfare leading
into the country. Hence it is an untenable idea that it is embraced within
the present “Church of the Holy Sepulchre.” The hillock above Jeremiah’s
Grotto, to the north of the city, is in all probability the true site of
Calvary. The skull-like appearance of the rock in the southern precipice of
the hillock is very remarkable.
- GOLIATH great. (1.) A famous giant of Gath, who for forty days openly
defied the armies of Israel, but was at length slain by David with a stone
from a sling (1 Samuel 17:4). He was probably descended from the
Rephaim who found refuge among the Philistines after they were dispersed
by the Ammonites (Deuteronomy 2:20, 21). His height was “six cubits
and a span,” which, taking the cubit at 21 inches, is equal to 10 1/2 feet.
David cut off his head (1 Samuel 17:51) and brought it to Jerusalem, while
he hung the armour which he took from him in his tent. His sword was
preserved at Nob as a religious trophy (21:9). David’s victory over
Goliath was the turning point in his life. He came into public notice now as
the deliverer of Israel and the chief among Saul’s men of war (18:5), and
the devoted friend of Jonathan.
(2.) In 2 Samuel 21:19 there is another giant of the same name mentioned
as slain by Elhanan. The staff of his apear “was like a weaver’s beam.”
The Authorized Version interpolates the words “the brother of” from 1
Chronicles 20:5, where this giant is called Lahmi.
- GOMER complete; vanishing. (1.) The daughter of Diblaim, who
(probably in vision only) became the wife of Hosea (1:3).
(2.) The eldest son of Japheth, and father of Ashkenaz, Riphath, and
Togarmah (Genesis 10:2, 3), whose descendants formed the principal
branch of the population of South-eastern Europe. He is generally regarded
as the ancestor of the Celtae and the Cimmerii, who in early times settled
to the north of the Black Sea, and gave their name to the Crimea, the
ancient Chersonesus Taurica. Traces of their presence are found in the