Is the story of Goliath unreliable?

If you are asking for a nuke, I don’t have one. However, if you are looking for a reasonable response, you might consider that Goliath was not the only “giant” in the biblical record. If the OT or the LXX are to be believed, then during David’s reign, Israel faced at least 5 “giants,” 2 Sam 21:22.
Consider these verses that describe people/people-groups referred to as giants. First, the Anakim, Gen 6:1-4; Num 13:22–33; Josh 15:13–14; the original Transjordan inhabitance Deut 2:10-11; Deut 2:20; the Amorites; Amos 2:9-10 ( I believe this is Yahweh speaking); the Rephaim. Then, Deut 2:11, 20–22; 3:11–13; Josh 12:4; 13:13, note the 13-foot-long-iron bed of King Og.
If you consider the Apocrypha, we have 3000 cubit tall giants, Enoch 7:2. Don’t forget the weight of Goliath’s armor, 125 + lbs, not including his shield or helmet, spear, and a weaver’s beam with a 15.375 lb tip.
Last, consider this from the Faith Life Bible:

six cubits and a span : The Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the OT), and the Dead Sea Scrolls vary with regard to Goliath’s height. The Hebrew Bible states that he was six cubits and a span—roughly nine and a half feet tall (or perhaps a few inches more). This would make him about half a foot taller than the world’s tallest man in medical history (8 feet, 11 inches). The latter two sources, however, describe him as four cubits and a span—roughly six and a half feet tall. It is possible that the number “six” in the Hebrew text (“six cubits and a span”) could have been inadvertently introduced when the scribe’s eye saw “six” a few lines below in v. 7.

The following excerpt will likely only mitigate the issue depending on your bias but it will not put the question to bed. :grinning:

The point of the passage, however, is not to ascertain Goliath’s exact height but to note his size and skill compared to David. The young, inexperienced David is victorious over the Philistine champion because Yahweh assisted him (see vv. 37, 46–47). Although Goliath appears invincible, God’s declaration in 16:7 indicates that height is insignificant.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Sa 17:4). Lexham Press.

My thoughts.

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