David was just a blur to myopic Goliath, says study
By Phil Reeves in Jerusalem
18 February 2000
The story of David and Goliath =E2=80" timeless analogy for the triumph of the
underdog, small boy's Bible favourite, and clich=C3=A9 of first resort in soccer
commentaries, =E2=80" 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 =E2=80" whereupon David chopped off his head, causing the
Philistines to flee the battlefield (1 Samuel, 17).
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 =E2=80" around 9ft 10in =E2=80" 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 =E2=80" who specialises in treating the condition =E2=80" it
can also disrupt the eyesight by causing a tumour on the optic nerves.
The professor =E2=80" who has submitted his findings for publication in the
London-based Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry =E2=80" does not
believe his findings diminish the story. In his eyes, it is still about "the
battle of good against evil." =E2=80" no matter how blind the loser was. [from
Independent]
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