David and Goliath geneolgy ~ Ruth and Orpah

According to the Babylonian Talmud (Sotah 42b) Goliath was a son of Orpah, the sister-in-law of Ruth, David’s own great grandmother (Ruth → Obed → Jesse → David). Ruth Rabbah, a haggadic and homiletic interpretation of the Book of Ruth, makes the blood-relationship even closer, considering Orpah and Ruth to have been full sisters. Orpah was said to have made a pretense of accompanying Ruth but after forty paces left her. Thereafter she led a dissolute life. According to the Jerusalem Talmud Goliath was born by polyspermy, and had about one hundred fathers.
(Jerusalem Talmud Yebamoth, 24b.)

2 Responses to “David and Goliath geneolgy ~ Ruth and Orpah”

  1. Pulen Pather Says:

    I find it highly unlikely that David slew someone who could have been his Grandfather

    • stefangillies Says:

      St Luke Chapter 12 – [51] Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation. [52] For there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided: three against two, and two against three. [53] The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against his father, the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother, the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Leave a comment