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David was just a blur to myopic Goliath, says study

Independent, The (London), Feb 18, 2000 by Phil Reeves in Jerusalem

THE STORY of David and Goliath - timeless analogy for the triumph of the underdog, small boy's Bible favourite, and cliche of first resort in soccer commentaries, - could be, er, wrong.

Research in Israel suggests that Goliath the Philistine may not have been an almost-indestructible 10ft warrior but a shambling figure suffering from terrible eye trouble.

The chain-mail-clad giant may not even have seen tiny David approaching, sling at the ready, let alone the stone that cracked him on the forehead and knocked him over - whereupon David chopped off his head, causing the Philistines to flee the battlefield (1 Samuel, 17).

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Vladimir Berginer, a professor of neurology at Israel's Ben- Gurion University, believes that Goliath may have suffered from acromegaly which restricted his field of vision.

The condition, which affects the pituitary gland, has been associated with gigantism since its discovery in the 19th century. As the Bible places "Goliath of Gath" at six cubits - around 9ft 10in - he is a prime candidate for the condition.

"It is written in the Bible that Goliath was moving very slowly, but that David was running," Professor Berginer said yesterday, "If my theory is correct, Goliath was suffering from restricted vision, and could not see David from time to time.

In acromegaly, a tumour of the pituitary gland releases extra growth hormone which causes the skeleton and other tissues to grow to an abnormal size. According to the professor - who specialises in treating the condition - it can also disrupt the eyesight by causing a tumour on the optic nerves.

The professor - who has submitted his findings for publication in the London-based Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry - does not believe his findings diminish the story. In his eyes, it is still about "the battle of good against evil." - no matter how blind the loser was.

David was just a blur to myopic Goliath, says study

Independent, The (London), Feb 18, 2000 by Phil Reeves in Jerusalem

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