Armor in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What is Armor?
AR'MOR
See also War. Weapons or instruments of defence. These were in general the shield or buckler, the target, the coat of mail, the greaves, and the helmet. Egyptian Shields. (After Eosellini.) 1. The shield or buckler was probably one of the earliest pieces of armor, for allusion is often made to it by the earliest writers. Gen 15:1; Ps 5:12; Ps 18:2; Ps 47:9. It was of various sizes, and usually made of light wood and covered with several folds or thicknesses of stout hide, which were preserved and polished by frequent applications of oil, Isa 21:5, and often painted with circles of various colors or figures. Nah 2:3. Sometimes osiers, or reeds woven like basket-work, were used to stretch the hide upon, and sometimes the shield was made either entirely of brass or gold, or covered with thick plates of those metals. 1 Kgs 14:26, 2 Chr 11:21. It was of various forms, but generally circular or oblong. The shield was held by the 1, 2. Assyrian Mail. (Nineveh Marbles.) 3. Part of Chain Mail. (From Kouyunjik.) 4. Greek Cuirass. (From Temple Collections.) 5. Persian Mail. left arm. The hand passed through under two straps or thongs placed thus, X. and grasped with the fingers another small strap near the edge of the shield, so that it was held with great firmness. A single handle of wood or leather in the centre was used in later times. The outer surface was made more or less rounding from the centre to the edge, and being polished smooth made the arrows or darts glance off or rebound with increased force; and the edges were armed with plates of iron, not only to strengthen them, but to preserve the perishable part from the dampness while lying upon the ground. In times of peace the shield was kept in a covering. In times of engagement the shields were either held above the head or they were placed together edge to edge, and thus formed a continuous barrier. 1. The target was a long shield, protecting the whole body, larger than the bucklers above described. 1 Kgs 10:16, 2 Sam 21:17. It is usually mentioned in connection with heavy arms, while the shield is spoken of with the sword, dart, and other light arms. It probably resembled the great shield of the Romans, which in some cases was four feet high and two and a half feet broad, and so curved as to fit the body of the soldier. 2. The coat of mail of Goliath, 1 Sam 17:5, covered the body upon and below the breast and back, and was probably like a shirt covered with rows of brass pieces overlapping one another; and this may have been the usual form. The habergeon of Neh 4:16 is a different translation of the same word. The article so called formed part of the high priest's dress, and "is supposed to have been of linen, thickly woven or quilted, with a binding on the neck, and plated on the breast with mail." 3. Greaves or boots, 1 Sam 17:6, were for the protection of the legs, being made of brass and fastened by leather thongs over the shins. They are mentioned only as a part of the armor of Goliath, and probably were not in common use among the Hebrews, though they were almost universal among the Greeks and Romans. 4. Helmet. This was a cap, the diverse shapes of which are seen in the figures of the archers, slinger, bearers of shields. In early times skins of the heads of animals were used, but afterward it was made of thick, tough hide, and sometimes of plated brass, 1 Sam 17:38, and usually crowned with a crest or plume as an ornament. Armor-bearer. Jud 9:54. An officer selected by kings and generals from the bravest of their favorites, whose service Egyptian Battle-axes. (From Rosellini and Chattipollion.) it was, not only to bear their armor, but to stand by them in danger and carry their orders, somewhat after the manner of adjutants in modern service. 1 Sam 16:21 and 1 Sam 31:4. 1. Egyptian Maces and Clubs. 2. Assyrian Maces. ARMS were weapons or instruments of offence. They were the sword, the spear or javelin, dart or lance, the bow Assyrian Swords or Daggers. (From Nineveh Marbles.) and arrow, the sling, the quiver, and the battle-axe. 1. The sword. Gen 27:40. This was a short two-edged instrument resembling what we call a dagger. It was carried in a sheath or scabbard, Jer 47:6; Eze 21:9, 1 Kgs 20:30, and suspended to the girdle or belt. Jud 3:16; 2 Sam 20:8. Assyrian Spears and Shields. (From Nineveh Marbles.) 1. Of the spear there were at least three distinct varieties, which differed chiefly in length and size. (1.) The spear, Assyrian Archers behind a large Shield. (From Nineveh Marbles.) par-excellence, was a long wooden staff with a stout metal point at one end. The Greek spears were sometimes twenty-five feet long, and the Arabs now use them fifteen feet long. They were required to be long enough to reach beyond the front rank when used by those who were in the second rank. Goliath's spear was said to have a staff "like a weaver's beam." 1 Sam 17:7. This largest sort of spear was used by Saul habitually. It must have had a metallic point at its butt end, because it was stuck into the ground, 1 Sam 26:1, and Asahel was killed "with the hinder end" of Abner's spear. 2 Sam 2:23. It was this kind of spear, and not a "javelin," which Saul threw at David and Jonathan. 1 Sam 18:11; 1 Sam 20:33. There was a somewhat lighter spear, which was carried on the back when not in use. 1 Sam 17:6. (Authorized Version translates target.) (2.) The javelin was a short spear, cast,as is supposed, with the hand. Num 25:7. (3.) The dart was still smaller than the javelin, and used in like manner. 2 Chron 32:5. 1. The arrow was a slender missile shot from a bow, as in modern days. 1 Sam 20:36. It was used in hunting. Gen 27:3, as well as in combat. Gen 48:22. Those who used the bow were called "archers." Gen 21:20. Arrows were originally made of reeds, and afterward of any light wood. The bows were made of flexible wood or steel, Ps 18:34, and the bowstring of leather, horsehair, or the tendons of animals. Bows were the chief dependence in both an attack and a defence. The point of the arrow was barbed like a fish-hook. Ps 38:2. Egyptian Archer. (Eosellini.) Job refers to the use of poisoned arrows. Job 6:4, and fire was often conveyed by the use of juniper-wood, which kindled upon the combustible baggage or armament of the enemy. Ps 91:5; Ps 120:4. It is said that the coals of the Assyrian and Egyptian Quivers and Bows. juniper-wood retain their heat for a long time. The Phoenicians and, in later times, the Spaniards have used arrows for the like purpose. Arrows were used in divination. Eze 21:21. Arrows were kept in a case or box called a quiver, which was slung over the shoulder in such a position that the soldier could draw out the arrows when wanted. The position of the quiver and bow is seen in a preceding cut. The drawing of the bow was a test of strength, and is still so among the Arabians. Hence the allusion in Ps 18:34. 1. The sling, 1 Sam 17:40, was an early weapon of war, by which stones were thrown with great force and surprising accuracy of aim. This skill was shown in a remarkable degree by the Benjamites, who could employ the left hand in its use with great adroitness. Jud 20:16. The slingers ranked next to the archers in efficiency, and formed a regular arm of the service. Assyrian Slinger. 1. The battle-axe, Jer 51:20, was obviously a powerful weapon of war, but of its ancient form and manner of use we have now no knowledge. The term "armor," and the various offensive and defensive articles comprised in it, are frequently used figuratively in the Bible, in Eph 6:11-17, where the graces of the Christian character are represented as the armor of God, in which he clothes the believer, and by which he is enabled to fight the good fight of faith with a victorious arm. AR'MY The armies of the Israelites embraced the whole male population of the country of twenty years and over, Num 1:2,Num 1:3, Num 26:2, and when occasion required, the entire body was readily mustered. Jud 20:1-11; 1 Sam 11:7, 1 Kgs 15:8. This accounts for the prodigious numbers which were often assembled. 2 Chron 13:3; 2 Chron 14:9. See War. The system was minute. Each tribe constituted a division with a separate banner and separate position on the march to the Holy Land, and as near as possible in battle. The army gathered from the tribes was divided into thousands and hundreds under their respective captains. Num 31:14. The kings had body-guards. 1 Sam 13:2; 1 Sam 25:13. In later times a standing army was maintained, and in war troops were sometimes hired. 2 Chr 25:6. But ordinarily the soldiers received no wages, but were armed and supported. 1 Kgs 4:27; 1 Kgs 10:26. Hence their campaigns were short, and generally terminated by a single battle. Horses were not used, it is supposed, until Solomon's time. The manner of declaring war, and the character and occupation of exempts, are minutely stated. Deut 20:1-14;Deut 24:5.

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Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'armor' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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