One of the five principal cities of the Philistines (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17). The name occurs in the El-Amarna tablets as "Gimta," "Gimti," "Ginti"; in the Egyptian inscriptions as "Kutu." Goliath came from this city (1 Samuel 17). David took refuge with King Achish of Gath ( 21:10, 27:2). According to 2 Chronicles 11:8, Rehoboam fortified the city, which, however, must have fallen into the hands of the Philistines again, for Uzziah conquered it (2 Chronicles 26:6). Previous to that Gath was taken by the Syrian king Hazael (2 Kings 12:18). According to an Assyrian inscription, Sargon took Gath among other Philistine cities (comp. Amos 6:2; Micah 1:14).