A weaver’s beam is the shaft of a loom to which the cloth is fastened. Most interpreters think the size of the spear is being compared to the thickness of a weaver’s beam (so Good News Translation and Bible en français courant). A different interpretation is possible, however. Archaeological evidence indicates that some spears had a loop of cord attached to the end of them to help the soldier throw the spear farther. This loop of cord resembled the loop of cord tied to the piece of wood (a heddle-rod) used to lift alternate threads on a loom while weaving. The New American Bible translation is based on this second interpretation: “The shaft of his javelin was like a weaver’s heddle-bar” (so also Klein and Anchor Bible).

The first interpretation (Good News Translation) understands the comparison of the spear and the weaver’s beam to be that of size, that is, “as thick as.” The second interpretation (New American Bible), which is more probable, understands the comparison to be the loops of cord, which allowed the spear to be thrown with greater accuracy. If the second interpretation is followed, it may be necessary to explain the basis of the comparison by saying something like “the shaft of his spear had a loop of cord around it, like that on a weaver’s beam, in order to throw it further and more accurately.” But such detailed information should probably be reserved for a footnote.

Spear’s head: the head of the spear, as indicated in Good News Translation, was made of iron. It was made long and had a sharp point at the end.

Six hundred shekels of iron: in the metric system this is “nearly seven kilos” (La Bible du Semeur) or “more than seven kilos.” The note in Osty-Trinquet, which speaks of “almost eighteen kilograms,” seems to be a misprint for “eight.” New Century Version and Contemporary English Version say “fifteen pounds,” which is roughly equivalent to the “seven kilos” mentioned and corresponds to Good News Translation.

The placement of the words of iron, like of bronze in verse 5, may be unnatural, and they may need to be shifted to a different position in the sentence.

Shield-bearer: though the Hebrew does not say that the shield-bearer was carrying Goliath’s shield, the original readers would have understood that he did. It may be necessary to make that information explicit, as Good News Translation has done. Good News Translation does not make clear, however, that this task of carrying the shield was an official assignment in the military. New Century Version says “the officer who carried his shield walked in front of him.” This shield was a large one used to protect the whole body, unlike the smaller shield that was held with one hand and was swung about for protection.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .