[Easton]
A wine-vat, one of the five royal cities of the Philistines (
Josh. 13:3) on which the ark brought calamity (
1 Sam. 5:8,
9;
6:17). It was famous also as being the birthplace or residence of Goliath (
1 Sam. 17:4). David fled from Saul to Achish, king of Gath (
1 Sam. 21:10;
27:2-4;
Ps. 56), and his connection with it will account for the words in
2 Sam. 1:20. It was afterwards conquered by David (
2 Sam. 8:1). It occupied a strong position on the borders of Judah and Philistia (
1 Sam. 21:10;
1 Chr. 18:1). Its site has been identified with the hill called Tell esSafieh, the Alba Specula of the Middle Ages, which rises 695 feet above the plain on its east edge. It is noticed on monuments about B.C. 1500. (See METHEGAMMAH.)
[Smith]
(a wine press), one of the five royal cities of the Philistines; (
Joshua 13:3;
1 Samuel 6:17) and the native place of the giant Goliath. (
1 Samuel 17:4,
23) It probably stood upon the conspicuous hill now called Tell-es-Safieh, upon the side of the plain of Philistia, at the foot of the mountains of Judah; 10 miles east of Ashdod, and about the same distance south by east of Ekron. It is irregular in form, and about 200 feet high. Gath occupied a strong position, (
2 Chronicles 11:8) on the border of Judah and Philistia, (
1 Samuel 21:10;
1 Chronicles 18:1) and from its strength and resources forming the key of both countries, it was the scene of frequent struggles, and was often captured and recaptured. (
2 Kings 12:17;
2 Chronicles 11:8; 26:6;
Amos 6:2) The ravages of war to which Gath was exposed appear to have destroyed it at a comparatively early period, as it is not mentioned among the other royal cities by the later prophets. (
Zephaniah 2:4;
Zechariah 9:5,
6) It is familiar to the Bible student as the scene of one of the most romantic incidents in the life of King David. (
1 Samuel 21:10-15)
[Hitchcock]
a wine-press
[Nave]
–One of the five chief cities of the Philistines Jos
13:3 ;
1Sa 6:17 ;
Am 6:2 ;
Mic 1:10
–Anakim, a race of giants, inhabitants of
Jos 11:22
–Goliath lived in
1Sa 17:4 ;
1Ch 20:5-8
–Obed-edom belonged to
2Sa 6:10
–The ark of the covenant taken to
1Sa 5:8
–Inhabitants of, called GITTITES
Jos 13:3
–David takes refuge at
1Sa 21:10-15 ;
27:2-7
–Band of Gittites, attached to David
2Sa 15:18-22
–Captured by David
1Ch 18:1
–Shimei’s servants escape to
1Ki 2:39-41
–Fortified by Rehoboam
2Ch 11:8
–Captured by Hazael
2Ki 12:17
–Recovered by Jehoash
2Ki 13:25
–Besieged by Uzziah
2Ch 26:6
–Called METHEGAMMAH in
2Sa 8:1
[STEPBible TIPNR]
A location in Philistia first mentioned at
Jos.11.22)
referred to as Gath (גַּת), or Gath (גַּיְא), or Gath or Gittite (גִּתִּי), or Metheg-ammah (מֶתֶג הָאַמָּה).
[Theographic]
A wine-vat, one of the five royal cities of the Philistines (
Josh. 13:3) on which the ark brought calamity (
1 Sam. 5:8,
9;
6:17). It was famous also as being the birthplace or residence of Goliath (
1 Sam. 17:4). David fled from Saul to Achish, king of Gath (
1 Sam. 21:10;
27:2-4;
Ps. 56), and his connection with it will account for the words in
2 Sam. 1:20. It was afterwards conquered by David (
2 Sam. 8:1). It occupied a strong position on the borders of Judah and Philistia (
1 Sam. 21:10;
1 Chr. 18:1). Its site has been identified with the hill called Tell esSafieh, the Alba Specula of the Middle Ages, which rises 695 feet above the plain on its east edge. It is noticed on monuments about B.C. 1500.
