The Bible contains a few references to people who had six fingers or toes. Polydactyly, the condition of having extra fingers or toes, is a relatively rare congenital abnormality that has been documented throughout history. Though not always considered a desirable trait, polydactyly is mentioned in the Bible in reference to a few prominent figures.
Goliath the Philistine
One of the most well-known biblical figures said to have six fingers is Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior who is famous for his battle with the future king David. The story is told in 1 Samuel 17. Goliath is described as a formidable soldier, standing over nine feet tall (1 Samuel 17:4). In 1 Samuel 21:20 and 1 Chronicles 20:6, it notes that Goliath had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot:
And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants.
So Goliath’s polydactyly is presented as evidence of his ancient giant lineage. The extra digits contributed to his overall abnormal size and formidable presence as a warrior.
Other Giants
Goliath was not the only giant mentioned in the Bible with six digits. In 2 Samuel 21:20, there is another reference to a Philistine giant with six fingers who is killed:
And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants.
Based on the description, this appears to be a different giant warrior than Goliath who also exhibited polydactyly and traced his ancestry back to giants.
Some scholars believe “the giants” refers to the Nephilim, who were the offspring of “sons of God” and human women before the Flood in Genesis 6:4. Though that verse does not specify that the Nephilim had six digits, extra fingers and toes are attributed to their giant descendants, including Goliath.
Other References
In 2 Samuel 8:13 and 1 Chronicles 18:12, King David is said to have killed 18,000 Edomites and put garrisons throughout Edom. The phrase “six fingers” appears in the King James Version:
And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
Which also king David dedicated unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
Modern translations like the ESV render this as “garrisons” rather than “six fingers”, so this is likely referring to military outposts rather than polydactyly.
The only other mention is in 2 Samuel 21:16, which notes that Ishbi-Benob had a spear with a 300 shekel weight tip, but the reference to six fingers is unclear and disputed by scholars.
So aside from Goliath and the unnamed Philistine giant in 2 Samuel 21, there are no other definitive references to six-fingered people in the Bible.
Theories on the Significance of Six Fingers
Why are giants like Goliath specifically described as having six fingers and toes? Here are a few possible explanations:
– Physical Anomaly: It emphasizes their sheer size and physical/genetic abnormalities as giant descendants.
– Marker of Evil: Some see polydactyly as a disfigurement reflecting their monstrous and evil nature.
– Symbol of Power: Six fingers could be seen as giving a physical advantage and symbolic of supernatural strength.
– Nephilim Link: It connects Goliath to the ancient Nephilim, whose giant offspring were believed to have six digits.
– Historical Accuracy: The writers could have recorded an actual detail that was notable to witnesses of Goliath.
So the extra fingers and toes may have symbolic meaning, or could simply reflect a true physiological detail. Either way, it added to the intimidating portrayal of giants like the formidable Goliath.
Giants with Six Digits in Other Ancient Texts
The motif of giants with six fingers or toes is not unique to the Bible, but appears in other ancient texts as well:
– In Greek mythology, the Titans were giants who ruled the earth prior to the Olympian gods. Some ancient sources describe certain Titans as having six arms and legs.
– The one-eyed giant Orion in Greek myth was said to have been fathered by the sea god Poseidon and born with six arms and legs.
– The Babylonian Enuma Elish tells of primordial monster-gods with strange features like wings and six mouths who battled the younger gods.
– Some Hindu epics contain references to destructive demon-giants called Rakshasas that had six heads and limbs.
So in different cultural mythologies, primeval giants were imagined with supernumerary body parts signifying their ancient, powerful, and chaotic origins.
Medical Explanation of Polydactyly
Polydactyly is the term for having extra fingers or toes beyond the normal five digits on each limb. It arises from abnormalities during fetal development, when the embryonic limb bud splits into multiple digits. Polydactyly occurs in about 1 in every 500-1000 births.
There are three main types:
– Postaxial: Extra digit on the pinky finger side (most common type)
– Preaxial: Extra digit on the thumb side
– Central: Extra digit in the center of the hand
The condition shows primarily in two forms – isolated polydactyly with no other abnormalities, which has a genetic component and runs in families, or as part of a syndrome with other birth defects.
Polydactyly can affect one or both hands and/or feet. In Goliath’s case, having six digits on all four limbs likely signifies the isolated, non-syndromic type.
The extra fingers or toes often dangle off the side of the hand or foot but can contain bones, joints, nerves, and muscles allowing some function. However, they are usually removed surgically for improved appearance and function.
So while the polydactyly exhibited by Goliath is quite rare, especially affecting all four limbs, it has been documented as a known anatomical anomaly.
Famous People with Polydactyly
While polydactyly is quite unusual, there have been some famous people who exhibited the trait:
– Musician Hound Dog Taylor had six fingers on his left hand.
– Actor Gemma Arterton was born with six fingers on each hand, but had the extra digits removed.
– Former Major League Baseball pitcher Antonio Alfonseca had six fingers and toes and was nicknamed “El Pulpo” (the Octopus).
– Actress Halle Berry has a sixth toe on her left foot which she has said adds balance for her.
– Musician Robert Johnson’s extra digit reportedly helped him as a skilled guitarist.
So polydactyly hasn’t slowed down some stars and has even been credited by some as providing advantages in certain activities!
Polydactyly Today
While still considered rare and abnormal, polydactyly is one of the most common congenital limb abnormalities. Estimates indicate it affects 1 in 1000 to 10,000 births in the United States. It occurs more frequently with certain genetic disorders like Down and Ellis-van Creveld syndromes.
Polydactyly occurs more often in males and in black populations. Hand polydactyly is especially common among African peoples. Certain isolated populations exhibit high rates due to founder mutations and inbreeding.
Prenatal screening ultrasounds can detect polydactyly, so it is often diagnosed before birth. Most cases are surgically treated with removal of the extra digit shortly after birth. If functionality of the hands or feet is not impaired, the condition may be left alone.
Some cultures and religions historically viewed polydactyly as a mark of distinction. But in most modern societies, surgical removal is performed primarily for aesthetic reasons and to avoid social stigmatization.
Treatment
Polydactyly treatment depends on the type and severity but typically involves surgery to remove the extra digits and reshape the hand or foot:
– Most postaxial extra fingers can simply be tied off and allowed to fall off soon after birth.
– Complex digits containing bone or joint structures require full surgical excision.
– Reconstruction procedures may be done to realign remaining digits and improve appearance.
– Syndromic polydactyly often requires multiple surgeries as the child grows.
– Therapy is sometimes needed to strengthen hand muscles and coordination after removal surgery.
If digits appear functional or do not disturb hand function, parents may opt to leave extra fingers or toes uncorrected after thorough counseling by the treatment team. However, surgery is usually advised for psychosocial reasons.
Outlook
The prognosis for isolated polydactyly is excellent after corrective surgery. Hand function is typically normal, with a low risk of long term disabilities. When associated with genetic disorders, other medical problems may impact the overall outlook.
However, self-esteem issues may persist even after removal if the condition resulted in teasing or bullying. Supportive counseling and peer acceptance is important for children with visible differences like polydactyly.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible contains a few references to ancient giants who had six fingers or toes, attributing significance to the trait as a marker of their power and ancestry. Goliath is the most notable giant described as having polydactyly affecting all four limbs. While quite rare, especially in that form, the condition has been documented in modern cases as well. People with extra digits remind us that our bodies have wondrous diversity, medical anomalies have existed throughout history, and those with visible differences deserve our understanding and support.