Reference: Arms
Fausets
Neither remains of Hebrew Arms, nor representations of them in Scripture, or on vases, bronzes, mosaics, paintings, coins, or jewels, have been preserved to us. Of offensive armor there was the SWORD (chereb), first mentioned Ge 3:24. Lighter and shorter than our modern sword (2Sa 2:16; 20:8-10; 1Sa 17:51; 21:9-10). It was carried in a sheath, slung by a girdle, resting upon the thigh (Ps 45:3; 2Sa 20:8). In peace even a king wore no sword (1Ki 3:24). So that "gird on the sword" was a phrase for begin war (Ps 45:3). "Devour with the sword" (Isa 1:20), "smite with the edge (mouth) of the sword," are familiar personifications. Some swords were "two edged" (Ps 149:6), type of the Word (Heb 4:12; Re 1:16). Traces of the primitive use of flint for swords or knives appear in Ex 4:25; Jos 5:2.
The SPEAR (chanith), Saul's regular companion (appropriate to his own stately height), at his head when sleeping, in his hand when gathering his soldiers, his leaning staff when dying (1Sa 26:7; 22:6; 2Sa 1:6). It was this ponderous (compare 2Sa 2:23) weapon, not the lighter "javelin" (as KJV) which he hurled at David twice, and at Jonathan (1Sa 18:11; 19:10; 20:33). The JAVELIN (kidon) was lighter, appropriate to maneuvering, easy to hold outstretched (Jos 8:14-27); carried on the back between the shoulders. In 1Sa 17:6 translate, not "target," but "a JAVELIN of brass," distinguished from "the spear" (chanith), 1Sa 17:7; so 1Sa 17:45, "with a javelin," not "a shield"; Job 39:23, "the glittering spear and the JAVELIN."
The LANCE (romach), translated KJV "spear," "javelin," "lancet" (1Ki 18:28). The DART (shelach) (2Ch 32:5). The BATON, or SCEPTRE (shebet) used in 2Sa 18:14 of the "darts" with which Joab killed Absalom. The BOW (quesheth). Captains of high rank did not disdain to seek expertness in it: as Jonathan (2Sa 1:22), Jehu (2Ki 9:24). The tribe Benjamin was noted for archery (1Ch 8:40; 12:2), where a bow for shooting stones forth is implied (2Ch 14:8). The phrase for "bend the bow" is "tread" it, implying that it was bent with the foot. Some bows were made of brass or "steel" (Ps 18:34). In the beginning of Saul's reign the Philistines had reduced Israel so as that "no smith was found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrew make them swords or spears; so in the day of battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people but with Saul and with Jonathan" (1Sa 13:19-22). Curiously analogous to this is the stipulation mentioned in the league which the Etrurian Potsena conceded to the vanquished Romans (Pliny, 34:14), namely, "that they should not use iron save in agriculture."
The arrows (chitzim) were carried in a quiver (theli); Job 6:4 refers to poisoned arrows; Ps 120:4 to the practice of attaching burning material to some arrow heads. Divination by arrows was practiced by the Chaldees. Nebuchadnezzar, undecided whether to attack Jerusalem or Ammon first, wrote their names on distinct arrows; the arrow first drawn from the quiver decided his course (Eze 21:21-22). The SLING (Jg 20:16), the usual weapon of a shepherd, as David, to ward off beasts from the flock. His weapon in slaying Goliath; hence gracefully alluded to by Abigail in her prayer for him (1Sa 25:29): "the souls of thine enemies ... shall God sling out, as out of the middle of a sling." ENGINES for "shooting great stones" prepared by king Uzziah (2Ch 26:15).
Of defensive armor there was the COAT OF MAIL (1Sa 17:5), Hebrew "breast-plate (shirion) of scales." In 1Ki 22:34, translate as margin "between the joints and the breast. plate." KJV trans. shirion "habergeons" (2Ch 26:14; Ne 4:16), i.e. hauberks, a quilted shirt or doublet put over the head. From its breast-plate-like outline Hermon is called Sirion, contracted into Sion (De 3:9; 4:48). The HELMET from a root meaning "high and round." GREAVES of brass, for the feet (1Sa 17:6). Two kinds of SHIELD: the tzinnah protecting the whole person (Ps 5:12), carried before the warrior when not in actual battle (1Sa 17:7,41); the Roman doorlike oblong shield, four feet long by two broad (thureon), from thura, a door), is meant Eph 6:16, "above all," i.e. over all, covering all the body, not the small round shield.
The mageen was smaller, a buckler for hand to band fight. 1Ki 10:16-17; "six hundred shekels of gold went to one target" (tzinnah), but" three pounds of gold went to one shield" (mageen); the greater weight required for the tzinnah shows its larger size. The light mageen is that in 2Ch 12:9-10. The shelet ("buckler," from shalat, to exercise authority), probably a small peculiarly shaped shield of gold, the badge of men high in authority. In 2Sa 8:7 "shields" of gold taken by David from Hadadezer king of Zobah, and dedicated in the temple, used in proclaiming, Joash king (2Ki 11:10), compare Song 4:4). In the New Testament compare Eph 6:14-17 for the Roman armor, except the spear. The breast-plate had a girdle beneath to brace up the person.
The Greek greaves protected the legs as well as the feet. The light armed troops (psiloi), instead of shield and cuirass, wore a garment of leather, and fought with parts, bows, stones, and slings. The targeteers (peltastes) also were more lightly equipped than the heavy armed (hoplitoe). Three integuments are specified in Ephesians 6: the breast-plate, girdle, and shoes; two defenses, the helmet and shield; two offensive weapons, the sword and the spear (not the type, but its antitype, prayer, shot up as a javelin mightily; ejaculation is derived from jaculum, "a javelin".) There is no armor for the back, but only for the front we must never turn our back to the foe (Lu 9:62), our only safety is ceaseless fighting (Mt 4:11; Jas 4:7). The girdle kept the armor in its place and supported the sword; so the "truth" in Jesus appropriated secures the believer, and braces him for the good fight (Eph 4:21; compare Ex 12:11; Lu 12:35).
The Roman soldier wore military sandals (caligoe whence the emperor Caligula took his name); so Christians, "your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"; the peace within beautifully contrasting with the raging war outside (Isa 26:3). To be at peace with God and ourselves we must ever war with Satan. In Assyrian remains we see a coat of scale armor reaching down to the knees or ankles. The MAUL or mace is alluded to in Ps 2:9; Pr 26:18; Jer 50:23; 51:20; Na 2:1; literally "that which scatters in pieces." So "Martel," a little HAMMER, was the surname of the king of the Franks.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And he drove out Man; and he set the Cherubim, and the flame of the flashing sword, toward the east of the garden of Eden, to guard the way to the tree of life.
And he drove out Man; and he set the Cherubim, and the flame of the flashing sword, toward the east of the garden of Eden, to guard the way to the tree of life.
Then Zipporah took a stone and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, A bloody husband indeed art thou to me!
Then Zipporah took a stone and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, A bloody husband indeed art thou to me!
And thus shall ye eat it: your loins shall be girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste; it is Jehovah's passover.
And thus shall ye eat it: your loins shall be girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste; it is Jehovah's passover.
(the Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir):
(the Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir):
from Aroer, which is on the bank of the river Arnon, as far as mount Sion, which is Hermon,
from Aroer, which is on the bank of the river Arnon, as far as mount Sion, which is Hermon,
At that time Jehovah said to Joshua, Make thee stone-knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
At that time Jehovah said to Joshua, Make thee stone-knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
And it came to pass when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hasted and rose early, and went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at the appointed place before the plain. But he knew not that there was an ambush against him behind the city.
And it came to pass when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hasted and rose early, and went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at the appointed place before the plain. But he knew not that there was an ambush against him behind the city. And Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten before them; and they fled by the way of the wilderness.
And Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten before them; and they fled by the way of the wilderness. And all the people that were in the city were called together to pursue after them; and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.
And all the people that were in the city were called together to pursue after them; and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. And not a man remained in Ai and Bethel that went not out after Israel; and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.
And not a man remained in Ai and Bethel that went not out after Israel; and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. And Jehovah said to Joshua, Stretch out the javelin that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thy hand. And Joshua stretched out the javelin that he had in his hand toward the city.
And Jehovah said to Joshua, Stretch out the javelin that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thy hand. And Joshua stretched out the javelin that he had in his hand toward the city. And the ambush arose quickly from their place, and they ran when he stretched out his hand, and came into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.
And the ambush arose quickly from their place, and they ran when he stretched out his hand, and came into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire. And the men of Ai turned and saw, and behold, the smoke of the city went up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way; and the people that fled to the wilderness turned upon the pursuers.
And the men of Ai turned and saw, and behold, the smoke of the city went up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way; and the people that fled to the wilderness turned upon the pursuers. When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city went up, they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.
When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city went up, they turned again, and slew the men of Ai. And the others went out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side; and they smote them, until they let none of them escape or flee away.
And the others went out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side; and they smote them, until they let none of them escape or flee away. And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua. And it came to pass when Israel had ended slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they had chased them, and they had all fallen by the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all Israel returned to Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.
And it came to pass when Israel had ended slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they had chased them, and they had all fallen by the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all Israel returned to Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all who fell that day, men as well as women, were twelve thousand, all the people of Ai.
And so it was, that all who fell that day, men as well as women, were twelve thousand, all the people of Ai. And Joshua did not draw back his hand, which he had stretched out with the javelin, until they had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
And Joshua did not draw back his hand, which he had stretched out with the javelin, until they had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Only, the cattle and the spoil of the city Israel took as prey to themselves, according to the word of Jehovah which he had commanded Joshua.
Only, the cattle and the spoil of the city Israel took as prey to themselves, according to the word of Jehovah which he had commanded Joshua.
Among all these were seven hundred picked men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair, and not miss.
Among all these were seven hundred picked men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair, and not miss.
Now there was no smith found throughout the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears.
Now there was no smith found throughout the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears. And all Israel went down to the Philistines, every man to get his ploughshare, and his hoe, and his axe, and his sickle sharpened,
And all Israel went down to the Philistines, every man to get his ploughshare, and his hoe, and his axe, and his sickle sharpened, when the edges of the sickles, and the hoes, and the forks, and the axes were blunted; and to set the goads.
when the edges of the sickles, and the hoes, and the forks, and the axes were blunted; and to set the goads. And it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan; but with Saul and with Jonathan his son there was found.
And it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan; but with Saul and with Jonathan his son there was found.
And he had a helmet of bronze upon his head, and he was clothed with a corselet of scales; and the weight of the corselet was five thousand shekels of bronze.
And he had a helmet of bronze upon his head, and he was clothed with a corselet of scales; and the weight of the corselet was five thousand shekels of bronze. And he had greaves of bronze upon his legs, and a javelin of bronze between his shoulders.
And he had greaves of bronze upon his legs, and a javelin of bronze between his shoulders.
And he had greaves of bronze upon his legs, and a javelin of bronze between his shoulders.
And he had greaves of bronze upon his legs, and a javelin of bronze between his shoulders. And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and the shield-bearer went before him.
And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and the shield-bearer went before him.
And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and the shield-bearer went before him.
And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and the shield-bearer went before him.
And the Philistine came on and approached David; and the man that bore the shield was before him.
And the Philistine came on and approached David; and the man that bore the shield was before him.
And David said to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with sword, and with spear, and with javelin; but I come to thee in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
And David said to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with sword, and with spear, and with javelin; but I come to thee in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
And Saul cast the spear, and thought, I will smite David and the wall. But David turned away from him twice.
And Saul cast the spear, and thought, I will smite David and the wall. But David turned away from him twice.
And Saul sought to smite David and the wall with the spear; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the spear into the wall. And David fled, and escaped that night.
And Saul sought to smite David and the wall with the spear; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the spear into the wall. And David fled, and escaped that night.
Then Saul cast the spear at him to smite him; and Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to put David to death.
Then Saul cast the spear at him to smite him; and Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to put David to death.
And Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah under the tamarisk upon the height, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing by him.
And Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah under the tamarisk upon the height, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing by him.
And if a man is risen up to pursue thee and to seek thy life, the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with Jehovah thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out from the hollow of the sling.
And if a man is risen up to pursue thee and to seek thy life, the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with Jehovah thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out from the hollow of the sling.
And David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping within the wagon-defence, and his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay round about him.
And David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping within the wagon-defence, and his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay round about him.
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty.
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty.
And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side, and they fell down together. And that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is by Gibeon.
And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side, and they fell down together. And that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is by Gibeon.
But he refused to turn aside; therefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him in the belly, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place. And it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
But he refused to turn aside; therefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him in the belly, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place. And it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three spears in his hand, and thrust them into Absalom's body, while he was yet alive in the midst of the terebinth.
Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three spears in his hand, and thrust them into Absalom's body, while he was yet alive in the midst of the terebinth.
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. And Joab was girded with his coat, his dress, and upon it was the girdle of the sword which was fastened on his loins in its sheath; and as he went forth it fell out.
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. And Joab was girded with his coat, his dress, and upon it was the girdle of the sword which was fastened on his loins in its sheath; and as he went forth it fell out. And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou well, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou well, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. And Amasa had taken no notice of the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him with it in the belly and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. And Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
And Amasa had taken no notice of the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him with it in the belly and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. And Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold, he applied six hundred shekels of gold to one target;
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold, he applied six hundred shekels of gold to one target; and three hundred shields of beaten gold, he applied three minas of gold to one shield; and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
and three hundred shields of beaten gold, he applied three minas of gold to one shield; and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with swords and spears, till the blood gushed out upon them.
And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with swords and spears, till the blood gushed out upon them.
And a man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the fastenings and the corslet. And he said to his charioteer, Turn thy hand, and drive me out of the camp; for I am wounded.
And a man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the fastenings and the corslet. And he said to his charioteer, Turn thy hand, and drive me out of the camp; for I am wounded.
And Jehu took his bow in his hand, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out through his heart; and he sank down in his chariot.
And Jehu took his bow in his hand, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out through his heart; and he sank down in his chariot.
And the priest gave to the captains of the hundreds king David's spears and shields which were in the house of Jehovah.
And the priest gave to the captains of the hundreds king David's spears and shields which were in the house of Jehovah.
And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers; and they had many sons, and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers; and they had many sons, and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left with stones and with arrows on the bow; they were of Saul's brethren of Benjamin:
armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left with stones and with arrows on the bow; they were of Saul's brethren of Benjamin:
And Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king's house; he took away all; and he took away the shields of gold that Solomon had made.
And Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king's house; he took away all; and he took away the shields of gold that Solomon had made. And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of bronze, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the couriers who kept the entrance of the king's house.
And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of bronze, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the couriers who kept the entrance of the king's house.
And Asa had an army that bore targets and spears: out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew the bow, two hundred and eighty thousand: all these, mighty men of valour.
And Asa had an army that bore targets and spears: out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew the bow, two hundred and eighty thousand: all these, mighty men of valour.
And Uzziah prepared for them, throughout the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and even slinging-stones.
And Uzziah prepared for them, throughout the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and even slinging-stones. And he made in Jerusalem machines invented by skilful men, to be upon the towers and upon the bulwarks, wherewith to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he became strong.
And he made in Jerusalem machines invented by skilful men, to be upon the towers and upon the bulwarks, wherewith to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he became strong.
And he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and built another wall outside, and fortified the Millo of the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.
And he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and built another wall outside, and fortified the Millo of the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.
And from that time forth the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held the spears, and the shields, and the bows, and the corslets; and the captains were behind all the house of Judah.
And from that time forth the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held the spears, and the shields, and the bows, and the corslets; and the captains were behind all the house of Judah.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, their poison drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of +God are arrayed against me.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, their poison drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of +God are arrayed against me.
The quiver rattleth upon him, the glittering spear and the javelin.
The quiver rattleth upon him, the glittering spear and the javelin.
Thou shalt break them with a sceptre of iron, as a potter's vessel thou shalt dash them in pieces.
Thou shalt break them with a sceptre of iron, as a potter's vessel thou shalt dash them in pieces.
For thou, Jehovah, wilt bless the righteous man; with favour wilt thou surround him as with a shield.
For thou, Jehovah, wilt bless the righteous man; with favour wilt thou surround him as with a shield.
Who teacheth my hands to war, and mine arms bend a bow of brass;
Who teacheth my hands to war, and mine arms bend a bow of brass;
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, in thy majesty and thy splendour;
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, in thy majesty and thy splendour;
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, in thy majesty and thy splendour;
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, in thy majesty and thy splendour;
Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with burning coals of broom-wood.
Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with burning coals of broom-wood.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand:
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand:
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
Thy neck is like the tower of David, Built for an armoury: A thousand bucklers hang thereon, All shields of mighty men.
Thy neck is like the tower of David, Built for an armoury: A thousand bucklers hang thereon, All shields of mighty men.
but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken.
but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken.
Thou wilt keep in perfect peace the mind stayed on thee, for he confideth in thee.
Thou wilt keep in perfect peace the mind stayed on thee, for he confideth in thee.
How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! How is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!
How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! How is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!
Thou art my maul, my weapons of war: and with thee I will break in pieces the nations, and I will with thee destroy kingdoms;
Thou art my maul, my weapons of war: and with thee I will break in pieces the nations, and I will with thee destroy kingdoms;
For the king of Babylon standeth at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he shaketh his arrows, he inquireth of the teraphim, he looketh in the liver.
For the king of Babylon standeth at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he shaketh his arrows, he inquireth of the teraphim, he looketh in the liver. In his right hand is the lot of Jerusalem to appoint battering-rams, to open the mouth for bloodshed, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering-rams against the gates, to cast mounds, to build siege-towers.
In his right hand is the lot of Jerusalem to appoint battering-rams, to open the mouth for bloodshed, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering-rams against the gates, to cast mounds, to build siege-towers.
He that dasheth in pieces is come up against thy face: keep the fortress, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
He that dasheth in pieces is come up against thy face: keep the fortress, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
Then the devil leaves him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.
Then the devil leaves him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.
But Jesus said to him, No one having laid his hand on the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.
But Jesus said to him, No one having laid his hand on the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Let your loins be girded about, and lamps burning;
Let your loins be girded about, and lamps burning;
if ye have heard him and been instructed in him according as the truth is in Jesus;
if ye have heard him and been instructed in him according as the truth is in Jesus;
Stand therefore, having girt about your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Stand therefore, having girt about your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and shod your feet with the preparation of the glad tidings of peace:
and shod your feet with the preparation of the glad tidings of peace: besides all these, having taken the shield of faith with which ye will be able to quench all the inflamed darts of the wicked one.
besides all these, having taken the shield of faith with which ye will be able to quench all the inflamed darts of the wicked one.
besides all these, having taken the shield of faith with which ye will be able to quench all the inflamed darts of the wicked one.
besides all these, having taken the shield of faith with which ye will be able to quench all the inflamed darts of the wicked one. Have also the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word;
Have also the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word;
For the word of God is living and operative, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and penetrating to the division of soul and spirit, both of joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
For the word of God is living and operative, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and penetrating to the division of soul and spirit, both of joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Subject yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Subject yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
and having in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth a sharp two-edged sword going forth; and his countenance as the sun shines in its power.
and having in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth a sharp two-edged sword going forth; and his countenance as the sun shines in its power.
Morish
.
The offensive arms found in the O.T. are:
1. The SWORD, for which several Hebrew words are used: a. baraq, often translated 'lightning;' it is 'glittering sword' in Job 20:25. b. chereb, a sword, as laying waste. It is the word commonly used in the O.T. for sword (everywhere indeed except in the references given here under the other words): it was a straight tapering weapon, with two edges and a sharp point. Ps 149:6; Isa 14:19. It is used metaphorically for keen and piercing words, as in Ps 57:4; 64:3. c. retsach, an undefined slaying weapon, translated 'sword' only in Ps 42:10. d. shelach, a missile of death, as a dart. Job 33:18; 36:12; Joe 2:8. e. pethichoth, from 'to open,' is translated 'drawn sword' in Ps 55:21.
2. SPEARS. a. chanith, thus named as being flexible: it is the word mostly used for the spear. 1Sa 13:19; Ps 57:4. It is this weapon that will be beaten into pruning hooks. Isa 2:4; Mic 4:3. b. kidon, a smaller kind of lance, or javelin. Jos 8:18,26; Job 41:29; Jer 6:23. c. tselatsal, harpoon. Job 41:7. d. qayin, lance, 2Sa 21:16. e. romach, spear used by heavy-armed troops, the iron head of a spear. Jg 5:8, etc. The pruning hooks are to be beaten into spears in the time of God's judgements. Joe 3:10.
3. BOW, from which arrows are discharged, qesheth, generally made of wood, but sometimes of steel or brass. Job 20:24. It is constantly found in the O.T. from Genesis to Zechariah. It is used to express punishment from God, La 2:4; 3:12; and of men to show their power to injure. Ps 37:14-15. 'A deceitful bow' expresses a man who fails just when his aid is most needed, as when a bow breaks suddenly. Ps. 78: 57; Ho 7:16.
4. The SLING, by which stones are discharged, qela. It was by means of this that David smote Goliath. 1Sa 17:40,49-50. Of the Benjamites there were 700 men lefthanded; "every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss." Jg 20:16. (In Pr 26:8 occurs another word for sling margemah, but the passage is considered better translated "as he that putteth a precious stone in a heap of stones," as in the margin.)
5. 'ENGINES,' with which Uzziah shot arrows and great stones. 2Ch 26:15.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Jehovah said to Joshua, Stretch out the javelin that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thy hand. And Joshua stretched out the javelin that he had in his hand toward the city.
And Joshua did not draw back his hand, which he had stretched out with the javelin, until they had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
When new gods were chosen, then war was in the gates. Was shield or spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?
Among all these were seven hundred picked men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair, and not miss.
Now there was no smith found throughout the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears.
And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag that he had, into the pocket; and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.
And David put his hand into the bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, and the stone sank into his forehead; and he fell on his face to the earth. So David overcame the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and smote the Philistine and killed him; and there was no sword in the hand of David.
And Ishbibenob, who was of the children of Raphah the weight of his lance was three hundred shekels of bronze, and he was girded with new armour thought to smite David.
And he made in Jerusalem machines invented by skilful men, to be upon the towers and upon the bulwarks, wherewith to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he became strong.
If he have fled from the iron weapon, the bow of brass shall strike him through. He draweth it forth; it cometh out of his body, and the glittering point out of his gall: terrors are upon him.
He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from passing away by the sword.
But if they hearken not, they shall pass away by the sword, and expire without knowledge.
Wilt thou fill his skin with darts, and his head with fish-spears?
The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the afflicted and needy, to slay those that are upright in the way: their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
As with a crushing in my bones mine adversaries reproach me, while they say unto me all the day, Where is thy God?
Smooth were the milky words of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords.
My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down among them that breathe out flames, the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down among them that breathe out flames, the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword, and have aimed their arrow, a bitter word;
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand:
As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
And he shall judge among the nations, and shall reprove many peoples; and they shall forge their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-knives: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
but thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, covered with the slain those thrust through with the sword, that go down to the stones of the pit: like a carcase trodden under foot.
They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as a man for the battle, against thee, daughter of Zion.
He hath bent his bow like an enemy; he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and hath slain all that was pleasant to the eye: in the tent of the daughter of Zion, he hath poured out his fury like fire.
He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
They return, but not to the Most High: they are like a deceitful bow. Their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
Neither doth one press upon another; they march every one in his path; and fall amid weapons, but are not wounded.
Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning-knives into spears; let the weak say, I am strong.
And he shall judge among many peoples, and reprove strong nations, even afar off; and they shall forge their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-knives: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Watsons
ARMS. The Hebrews do not appear to have had any peculiar military habit. As the flowing dress which they ordinarily wore would have impeded their movements, they girt it closely around them when preparing for battle, and loosened it on their return, 2Sa 20:8; 1Ki 20:11. They used the same arms as the neighbouring nations, both defensive and offensive; and these were made either of iron or of brass, principally of the latter metal. Of the defensive arms of the Hebrews, the following were the most remarkable; namely,
1. The helmet, ????, for covering and defending the head. This was a part of the military provision made by Uzziah for his vast army, 2Ch 26:14; and long before the time of that king, the helmets of Saul and of the Philistine champion were of the same metal, 1Sa 17:38.
This military cap was also worn by the Persians, Ethiopians, and Libyans, Eze 38:5, and by the troops which Antiochus sent against Judas Maccabaeus, 1 Mac. 6:35.
2. The breastplate or corslet, ?????, was another piece of defensive armour. Goliath, and the soldiers of Antiochus, 1-Samuel/17/5/type/darby'>1Sa 17:5; 1 Mac. 6:35, were accoutred with this defence; which, in our authorized translation, is variously rendered habergeon, coat of mail, and brigandine, 1Sa 17:38; 2Ch 26:14; Isa 59:17; Jer 46:4. Between the joints of this harness, as it is termed in 1Ki 22:4, the profligate Ahab was mortally wounded by an arrow, shot at a venture. From these various renderings of the original word, it should seem that this piece of armour covered both the back and breast, but principally the latter. The corslets were made of various materials: sometimes they were made of flax or cotton, woven very thick, or of a kind of woollen felt: others again were made of iron or brazen scales, or laminae, laid one over another, like the scales of a fish; others were properly what we call coats of mail; and others were composed of two pieces of iron or brass, which protected the back and breast. All these kinds of corslets are mentioned in the Scriptures. Goliath's coat of mail, 1Sa 17:5, was literally a corslet of scales, that is, composed of numerous laminae of brass, crossing each other. It was called by Virgil, and other Latin writers, squama lorica. Similar corslets were worn by the Persians and other nations. The breastplate worn by the unhappy Saul, when he perished in battle, is supposed to have been of flax, or cotton, woven very close and thick, 2Sa 1:9, marginal rendering.
3. The shield defended the whole body during the battle. It was of various forms, and made of wood covered with tough hides, or of brass, and sometimes was overlaid with gold, 1Ki 10:16-17; 14:26-27. Two sorts are mentioned in the Scriptures; namely, the ??, great shield or buckler, and the ???, or smaller shield. It was much used by the Jews, Babylonians, Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Egyptians. David, who was a great warrior, often mentions a shield and buckler in his divine poems, to signify that defence and protection of Heaven which he expected and experienced, and in which he reposed all his trust, Ps 5:12; and when he says, "God will with favour compass the righteous as with a shield," he seem, to allude to the use of the great shield tsinnah, (which is the word he uses,) with which they covered and defended their whole bodies. King Solomon caused two different sorts of shields to be made; namely, the tsinnah, (which answers to clypeus among the Latins,) such a large shield as the infantry wore, and the maginnim, or scuta, which were used by the horsemen, and were of a much less size, 2Ch 9:15-16. The former of these are translated targets, and are double in weight to the other. The Philistines came into the field with this weapon: so we find their formidable champion was appointed, 1Sa 17:7. One bearing a shield went before him, whose proper duty it was to carry this and some other weapons, with which to furnish his master upon occasion.
The loss of the shield in fight was excessively resented by the Jewish warriors, as well as lamented by them; for it was a signal aggravation of the public mourning, that "the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away," 2Sa 1:21. David, a man of arms, who composed this beautiful elegy on the death of Saul, felt how disgraceful a thing it was for soldiers to quit their shields in the field.
These honourable sentiments were not confined to the Jews. We find them prevailing among most other ancient nations, who considered it infamous to cast away or lose their shield. With the Greeks it was a capital crime, and punished with death. The Lacedemonian women, it is well known, in order to excite the courage of their sons, used to deliver to them their fathers' shields, with this short address: "This shield thy father always preserved: do thou preserve it also, or perish." Alluding perhaps to these sentiments, St. Paul, when exhorting the Hebrew Christians to steadfastness in the faith of the Gospel, urges them not to cast away their confidence, which "hath great recompense of reward," Heb 10:35.
4. Another defensive provision in war was the military girdle, which was for a double purpose: first, in order to hold the sword, which hung, as it does this day, at the soldier's girdle or belt, 1Sa 17:39: secondly, it was necessary to gird the clothes and the armour together. To gird and to arm are synonymous words in Scripture; for those who are said to be able to put on armour are, according to the Hebrew and the Septuagint, girt with a girdle; and hence comes the expression of "girding to the battle," 1Ki 20:11; Isa 8:9; 2Sa 22:40; 1Sa 18:4. There is express mention of this military girdle, where it is recorded that Jonathan, to assure David of his entire love and friendship by some visible pledges, stripped himself not only of his usual garments, but of his military habiliments, his sword, bow, and girdle, and gave them to David.
5. Boots or greaves were part of the ancient defensive harness, because it was the custom to cast certain ???????, impediments, (so called, because they entangled the feet,) in the way before the enemy. The military boot or shoe was therefore necessary to guard the legs and feet from the iron stakes placed in the way to gall and wound them; and thus we are enabled to account for Goliath's greaves of brass which were upon his legs.
The offensive weapons were of two sorts; namely, such as were employed when they came to a close engagement, and those with which they annoyed the enemy at a distance. Of the former description were the sword and the battle-axe.
1. The sword is the most ancient weapon of offence mentioned in the Bible. With it Jacob's sons treacherously assassinated the Shechemites, Ge 34:2. It was worn on the thigh, Ps 45:4; Ex 32:27; and, it should seem, on the left thigh; for it is particularly mentioned that Ehud put a dagger or short sword under his garments on his right thigh, Jg 3:16. There appear to have been two kinds of swords in use, a larger one with one edge, which is called in Hebrew the mouth of the sword, Jos 6:21; and a shorter one with two edges, like that of Ehud. The modern Arabs, it is well known, wear a sabre on one side, and a cangiar or dagger in their girdles.
2. Of the battle-axe we have no description in the sacred volume: it seems to have been a most powerful weapon in the hands of cavalry, from the allusion made to it by Jeremiah: "Thou art my battle-axe and weapons of war; for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms: and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider, and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider," Jer 51:20-21.
3. The spear and javelin (as the words ??? and ???? are variously rendered in Nu 25:7; 1Sa 13:19, and Jer 46:4) were of different kinds, according to their length or make. Some of them might be thrown or darted, 1Sa 18:11; others were a kind of long swords, Nu 25:8; and it appears from 2Sa 2:23, that some of them were pointed at both ends. When armies were encamped, the spear of the general or commander-in-chief was stuck into the ground at his head.
4. Slings are enumerated among the military stores collected by Uzziah, 2Ch 26:14. In the use of th
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And God was with the lad, and he grew; and he dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
And now, I pray thee, take thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field and hunt me venison,
And when Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and humbled her.
And he said to them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Put every man his sword upon his hip; go and return from gate to gate through the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbour.
And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, and rose up from among the assembly, and took a javelin in his hand, and he went after the man of Israel into the tent-chamber, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. And the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city; both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.
And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length; and he girded it on his right thigh under his clothes.
Among all these were seven hundred picked men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair, and not miss.
And she said, Let thy bondwoman find grace in thy sight. And the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more as before.
And he had a helmet of bronze upon his head, and he was clothed with a corselet of scales; and the weight of the corselet was five thousand shekels of bronze.
And he had a helmet of bronze upon his head, and he was clothed with a corselet of scales; and the weight of the corselet was five thousand shekels of bronze.
And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and the shield-bearer went before him.
And Saul clothed David with his dress, and put a helmet of bronze upon his head, and clothed him with a corselet.
And Saul clothed David with his dress, and put a helmet of bronze upon his head, and clothed him with a corselet. And David girded his sword upon his dress, and endeavoured to go; for he had not yet tried it. And David said to Saul, I cannot go in these; for I have never tried them. And David put them off him.
And Saul cast the spear, and thought, I will smite David and the wall. But David turned away from him twice.
He said to me again, Stand, I pray thee, over me, and slay me; for anguish has seized me; for my life is yet whole in me.
Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, no rain upon you, nor fields of heave-offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, as not anointed with oil.
But he refused to turn aside; therefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him in the belly, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place. And it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. And Joab was girded with his coat, his dress, and upon it was the girdle of the sword which was fastened on his loins in its sheath; and as he went forth it fell out.
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold, he applied six hundred shekels of gold to one target; and three hundred shields of beaten gold, he applied three minas of gold to one shield; and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
And he took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king's house; he even took away all; and he took away all the shields of gold that Solomon had made. And king Rehoboam made in their stead brazen shields, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the couriers who kept the entrance of the king's house.
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on boast himself as he that putteth off!
And he said to Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-Gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left with stones and with arrows on the bow; they were of Saul's brethren of Benjamin:
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold, he applied six hundred shekels of beaten gold to one target; and three hundred shields of beaten gold, he applied three hundred shekels of gold to one shield; and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
And Uzziah prepared for them, throughout the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and even slinging-stones.
And Uzziah prepared for them, throughout the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and even slinging-stones.
If he have fled from the iron weapon, the bow of brass shall strike him through.
For thou, Jehovah, wilt bless the righteous man; with favour wilt thou surround him as with a shield.
And in thy splendour ride prosperously, because of truth and meekness and righteousness: and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
their arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent; their horses' hoofs are reckoned as the flint, and their wheels as a whirlwind.
Rage, ye peoples, and be broken in pieces! And give ear, all ye distant parts of the earth: Gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces!
For they flee from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
And he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
Harness the horses, and mount ye horsemen, and stand forth with helmets; polish the spears, put on the coats of mail!
Harness the horses, and mount ye horsemen, and stand forth with helmets; polish the spears, put on the coats of mail!
Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about, all ye that bend the bow; shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against Jehovah.
Thou art my maul, my weapons of war: and with thee I will break in pieces the nations, and I will with thee destroy kingdoms; and with thee I will break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee I will break in pieces the chariot and its driver;
Persia, Cush, and Phut with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the battle-bow shall be cut off. And he shall speak peace unto the nations; and his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.
And I will strengthen them in Jehovah; and they shall walk in his name, saith Jehovah.
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense.