Armour
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary [1]
The main pieces of armour worn by a soldier in ancient warfare were a coat of mail to protect the body, greaves to protect the legs, and a helmet to protect the head. These were usually made of bronze, though sometimes were made of leather ( 1 Samuel 17:5-6; 1 Kings 22:34; Nehemiah 4:16; Jeremiah 46:4). Soldiers who did the heavy fighting in the front ranks carried large shields, and the archers who came behind carried smaller shields ( 1 Samuel 17:7; 2 Chronicles 14:8). Shields were sometimes made of bronze ( 1 Kings 14:27), but less expensive kinds were made of rattan overlaid with leather. They could therefore be burnt ( Ezekiel 39:9; see also War ; Weapons ).
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [2]
As Jews, the disciples of our Lord-not to speak of Himself-were exempt from military service. They had the privilege of ἀστρατεία, which Lentulus conceded to the Jews of Asia (Jos. Ant . xiv. x. 13f.), and Julius Caesar to those of Palestine ( ib. x. 6). The Roman auxiliaries who garrisoned Judaea were recruited wholly from the Greek cities of Palestine, such as Sebaste and Caesarea. Probably, therefore, none of the disciples ever wore armour, or, with the possible exception of Simon the Zealot, became skilled in the use of weapons. St. Peter once carried a sword, but made a very blundering use of it ( Mark 14:47, John 18:10). The only sword of which Christianity approves is that which is the symbol of the punitive ministry of the magistrate ( Romans 13:4). Nevertheless, it was impossible for Christians not to be profoundly interested in the brave men who were taught that it was dulce et decorum pro patria mori , and Christ Himself sanctioned the use of illustrations drawn from the warfare of kings ( Luke 14:31). It is not surprising, therefore, to find that St. Paul regards the valour and endurance of the world’s conquerors and the Empire’s defenders as worthy of emulation, and that he transfigures the armour of the Roman legionary into the panoply of the Christian soldier ( Ephesians 6:11 ff.).
Descriptions of the equipment of soldiers are frequent in Greek authors. (1) Homer lets us see his πρόμαχοι arming before they go forth to battle. Paris ( Il . iii. 328ff.) cases his limbs in greaves (κνημῖδες); a splendid cuirass (θώραξ) covers his breast; a baldrick sustains the sword (ξίφος) that glitters at his side; his great round shield (σάκος) is then displayed; over his brows he places his helmet (κυνέη) with nodding plume; and last of all he grasps his spear (ἔγχος) in his hand (cf. Il . iv. 132ff., xi. 15ff., xvi. 130ff., xix. 364ff.). ‘The six pieces of armour are always mentioned in the same order, in which they would naturally be put on, except that we should expect the helmet to be donned before the shield was taken on the arm’ (Leaf’s Homer , i. 106).-(2) Polybius (vi. 23) describes the armour of Roman soldiers in the time of the Punic wars. The heavy-armed carried an oblong shield (θυρεός, scutum ), 4 feet by 2½, incurved into the shape of a half-cylinder; the helmet (περικεφαλαια) of bronze had a crest of three feathers; and a greave protected the right leg. The wealthier soldiers wore a cuirass of chain-armour ( lorica ), the poorer a bronze plate 9 inches square. For defence they all carried a Spanish sword (μάχαιρα), straight, double-edged, and pointed, which was used for both thrust and cut; and two long javelins (ὑσσοί, pila ), which were either hurled at a distance or used at close quarters like modern bayonets.-(3) Josephus ( Bellum Judaicum (Josephus) iii. v. 5) describes the equipment of Roman soldiers under the Empire. The heavy-armed had a helmet (κράνος), a cuirass, a long sword worn on the left side and a dagger on the right, a pilum (ξυστόν), and scutum (θυρεός). The detachment which attended the commander had a round shield (ἀσπίς, clipeus ) and a long spear (λόγχη). The cavalry wore armour like that of the infantry, with a broadsword (μάχαιρα), a buckler slung from the horse’s side, a lance, and several javelins (ἄκοντες), almost as large as spears, in a sheath or quiver.
In his enumeration of the weapons of spiritual warfare St. Paul omits the spear, and by implication adds girdle and shoes (ζωστήρ and caligœ ). The complete equipment consists of six pieces, defensive and offensive-the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of readiness to carry good tidings, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. The Christian soldier is clad cap-à-pie in supernatural armour-the panoply which is the gift of God. There is he defence for the back, which should never need any.
‘The next day they took him [Christian] into the armoury, where they showed him all manner of furniture, which the Lord had provided for pilgrims, as sword, shield, helmet, breastplate, all-prayer, and shoes that would not wear out. And there was enough of this to harness out as many men for the service of their Lord as there be stars in the heaven for multitude’ (Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress ).
In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 the breastplate (θυρεός) is faith and love. In the realm of the imagination a happy idea will present itself in various aspects to different minds, and even to the same mind at different moments. Isaiah (59:17) had already suggested the thought of a panoply in which God Himself is clothed, and the writer of Wisdom had worked it out thus (5:17-20): ‘He shall take His jealousy as complete armour; … He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and shall array Himself with judgment unfeigned as with a helmet; He shall take holiness as an invincible shield, and He shall sharpen stern wrath for a sword.’
Literature.-In addition to the sources cited in the article, see article‘Arma,’ in Smith’s Dict. of Gr. and Rom. Ant .3, London, 1891, and article‘Armour, Arms’ (A. R. S. Kennedy), in Hastings’ Single-vol. Dictionary of the Bible .
James Strahan.
Morrish Bible Dictionary [3]
None of the Hebrew words translated 'armour' refer definitely to what is understood now by armour worn on the person. Saul armed David with his 'armour,' 1 Samuel 17:38 , but the word used is also translated 'clothes,' etc., and it may refer to Saul's warrior-dress. The articles named are somewhat more definite.
1. Saul put on David a 'HELMET of brass.' These were raised a little above the head, as may be seen by some of the sculptures from Nineveh. 1 Samuel 17:38; Ezekiel 23:24 : the word is qoba. Another word, koba, meaning the same, is found in 1 Samuel 17:5; 2 Chronicles 26:14; Isaiah 59:17; Jeremiah 46:4; Ezekiel 27:10; Ezekiel 38:5 .
2. COAT OF MAIL. Saul put on David a 'Coat of Mail,' shiryon. 1 Samuel 17:5,38 . This word is translated 'HABERGEON ' in 2 Chronicles 26:14; Nehemiah 4:16 , which also signifies 'coat of mail,' and there is a similar word in Job 41:26 . It was made of brass scales fastened together. The weight of Goliath's coat of mail was 5,000shekels.
3. GREAVES. The giant wore Greaves of brass upon his legs. 1 Samuel 17:6 . The word is mitschah, and occurs nowhere else.
4. TARGET. He had a Target of brass between his shoulders, 1 Samuel 17:6 : the word is kidon, and is elsewhere translated both 'shield' and 'spear.' In this case it was probably a small spear carried between the shoulders.
5. SHIELD. A Shield was carried before him. This was a tsinnah, a shield of large size to protect the whole body, with a large boss in the centre rising to a point which could be used as a weapon. It is employed figuratively for God's protecting care of His people. Psalm 5:12; Psalm 91:4 . The same word is translated BUCKLER. Psalm 35:2; Ezekiel 23:24; Ezekiel 26:8 , etc.
Another word is used for a smaller shield, magen, and this is the word which occurs most commonly in the O.T., especially in the Psalms, referring to God's protection, as Psalm 28:7; Psalm 33:20; Psalm 84:11; Psalm 119:114 , etc. The same word is translated BUCKLER. 2 Samuel 22:31; 1 Chronicles 5:18; Song of Solomon 4:4; Jeremiah 46:3 , etc.
The word shelet is translated Shield, but is also applied to Shields of gold, 2 Samuel 8:7 , and those suspended for ornament. Ezekiel 27:11 . It occurs also in 2 Kings 11:10; 1 Chronicles 18:7; 2 Chronicles 23:9; Song of Solomon 4:4; Jeremiah 51:11 .
In the N.T. 'armour' is used symbolically.
1. ὅπλα in contrast to 'theworks of darkness' we are exhorted to put on 'the armour of light.' Romans 13:12 . Paul and his fellow-labourers commended themselves as God's ministers by the "armour, or arms, of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." 2 Corinthians 6:7 .
2. πανοπλία, 'whole armour.' One stronger than Satan takes away all his 'armour.' Luke 11:22 . The Christian is exhorted to put on the 'whole armour of God,' the panoply, thathe may stand in the evil day in his conflict with the spiritual powers of wickedness in the heavenlies. Ephesians 6:11,13 . See BREASTPLATE, HELMET, etc.
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types [4]
1 Samuel 17:54 (c) This may be taken as a type of rejecting ability, skill, gift and manners of another person, rather than being one's own self. When we serve our Lord we should not try to be like another by imitating his ways, manners, virtues and powers.
Isaiah 22:8 (c) This armor represents human powers made by human instruments for human purposes and relied upon instead of the armor of GOD which only He can provide.
Luke 11:22 (b) In this place the armor represents Satan's devices, arguments and reasonings which he gives to his children in order to keep them from being touched by the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of GOD. Satan fills his followers with his own line of reasonings to keep them from becoming Christians. The Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit who are stronger than Satan take away this armor and make way for the truth of GOD to enter the soul of the sinner.
Romans 13:12 (b) Here the word is used for the protecting influence of light in the life of the children of GOD. A light is kept burning over the cash register to keep away robbers. The Christian should walk in the light of the Word of GOD in order to defeat Satan.
2 Corinthians 6:7 (b) Here the armor represents a life of righteousness toward those wham we meet and toward GOD. Those who live right have no fear of accusers. They are protected from the attacks of the enemy.
Ephesians 6:11 (b) The armor mentioned in this passage presents aspects of CHRIST:
(1). We are to put on the Lord JESUS Christ ( Romans 13:14).
(2). CHRIST Himself is the truth ( John 14:6).
(3). CHRIST Himself is our righteousness ( 1 Corinthians 1:30).
(4). The Gospel of peace is concerning His Son ( Romans 1:1-13) who is the king of peace ( Hebrews 7:2).
(5). Our faith is in the Lord JESUS CHRIST ( Acts 20:21).
(6). CHRIST is our salvation ( Luke 2:30).
(7). The sword is the Word which comes from the mouth of our Lord JESUS CHRIST ( Revelation 19:15).
The helmet protects our thinking. The breastplate protects our feelings.
Easton's Bible Dictionary [5]
Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Armour'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/a/armour.html. 1897.
Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary [6]
In Scripture terms, this word is for the most part used spiritually, meaning that divine strength is to be our armour against all opposition, and under all human weakness. (See Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 2Co 10:4; Ephesians 6:11-13)
