Gath, one of the five chief cities of Philistia, often mentioned in the history of David and his successors. The giant Goliath, who was slain by David, was either a native or an inhabitant of Gath. It was for centuries alternately under the power of the Jewish kings or independent, except a short period when it was under Syrian rule. In the time of Jerome it was a very large village.'1 There is much dispute as to its site, three different places being suggested. The one now considered most probable is Tel es-Safieh, 10 m. S. E. of Ashdod, and 22 m. S. W. of Jerusalem, where are considerable ruins.