Shield

VIEW:23 DATA:01-04-2020
SHIELD.—See Armour Arms, § 2 (a).
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909


(See ARMS.) Being of wood covered with leather, it might be burned (Eze_39:9). In Nah_2:3, "the shield ... is made red," the reference is to bull's hide shields dyed red to strike terror into the foe, or rather to the red reflection of the sun's rays from shields of bronze or copper, such as are found among the Assyrian remains. The surface was kept bright with oil, which preserved both the leather and the metal, Isa_21:5, "anoint the shield": Isaiah warns the Babylonian revelers to prepare for instant self defense; offensive arms are not mentioned, as Cyrus would take them by surprise in the midst of a feast (2Sa_1:21).
The shield was covered when not in use; Isa_22:6, "Kir uncovered the shield," i.e. took off for battle the leather cover which protected the embossed figures from dust or injury. In Psa_47:9, "the shields of the earth belong unto God," the shields are the princes as protectors of their people (Hos_4:18). Faith is our shield "above all" (Eph_6:16), i.e. to cover all that was put on before; but Sinaiticus and Vaticanus manuscripts read "IN all things." Faith will certainly intercept (not only "ye may," but "ye shall be able") and so "quench all the fire-tipped darts of the evil one" (1Pe_5:9; 1Jn_5:4; 1Jn_5:18). Fire darts were canes with tow and combustibles ignited on the head. to set fire to wood and tents.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.


Shield. The ordinary shield consisted of a framework of wood, covered with leather; it thus admitted of being burnt. Eze_39:9. It was frequently cased with metal, either brass or copper; its appearance, in this case, resembled gold, when the sun shone on it, 1Ma_6:39, and to this, rather than to the practice of smearing blood on the shield, we may refer the redness noticed by Nahum. Nah_2:3. The surface of the shield was kept bright by the application of oil as implied in Isa_21:5.
The shield was worn on the left arm, to which it was attached by a strap. Shields of state were covered with beaten gold. Shields were suspended about public buildings for ornamental purposes. 1Ki_10:17. In the metaphorical language of the Bible, the shield generally represents the protection of God: for example, Psa_3:3; Psa_28:7, but in Psa_47:9, it is applied to earthly rulers and in Eph_6:18, to faith. See Arms.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863


shēld. See ARMOR, IV., 1.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.


Shield [ARMS]




The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.


Gen_15:1 (a) The preserving and protecting care over His children is thus understood. Eph_6:16 (b) Here is an attitude of trust in the living GOD which preserves the heart of the child of GOD from injury by that which others say and do.
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types
press 1957.



is the rendering in the A.V. of the four following Hebrew words, of which the first two are the most usual and important; likewise of one Greek word.
1. The tsinnah (צַנָּה, from a root]צָנִ, to protect) was the large shield, encompassing (Psa_5:12) and forming a protection for the whole person. When not in actual conflict, the tsinnah was carried before the warrior (1Sa_17:7; 1Sa_17:41). The definite article in the former passage (the shield, not a shield” as in the A.V.) denotes the importance of the weapon. The word is used with “spear,” romach (1Ch_12:8; 1Ch_12:14; 2 Chronicles 11:32, etc.), and chanith (1Ch_12:34) as a formula for weapons generally.
2. Of smaller dimensions was the magen ( מָגֵן from גָּנֵ, to cover), a buckler or target, probably for use in hand to hand fight. The difference in size between this and the tsinnah is evident from 1Ki_10:16-17; 1Ki_10:29 2Ch_9:15-16, where a much larger quantity of gold is named as being used for the latter than for the former. The portability of the magen may be inferred from the notice in 2Ch_12:9-10; and perhaps also from 2Sa_1:21. The word is a favorite one with the poets of the Bible (see Job_15:26; Psa_3:3; Psa_18:2, etc.). Like tsinnah, it occurs in the formulated expressions for weapons of war, but usually coupled with light weapons, the bow (2Ch_14:8; 2Ch_17:7), darts, שֶׁלִה (2Ch_32:5).
3. What kind of arm the shelet (שֶׁלֶט) was it is impossible to determine. By some translators it is rendered a “quiver,” by some “weapons” generally, by others a “shield.” Whether either or none of these is correct, it is clear that the word had a very individual sense at the time; it denoted certain special weapons taken by David from Hadadezer, king of Zobah (2Sa_8:7; 1Ch_18:7), and dedicated in the temple, where they did service on the memorable occasion of Joash's proclamation (2Ki_11:10; 2Ch_23:9), and where their remembrance long lingered (Son_4:4). From the fact that these arms were of gold, it would seem that they cannot have been for offense. In the two other passages of its occurrence (Jer_51:11; Eze_27:11) the word has the force of a foreign arm.
4. In two passages (1Sa_17:45; Job_39:23) kidon (כַּידוֹן), a dart, is thus erroneously rendered.
To these we may add socherah (סֹחֵרָה, “buckler”), a poetical term, occurring only in Psa_91:4.
Finally, in Greek, θυρεός (probably a door, hence a large shield) occurs metaphorically once (Eph_6:16).
Among the Hebrews the ordinary shield consisted of a framework of wood covered with leather; it thus admitted of being burned (Eze_39:9). The magen was frequently cased with metal, either brass or copper; its appearance in this case resembled gold, when the sun shone on it (1Ma_6:39), and to this rather than to the practice of smearing blood on the shield we may refer the redness noticed by Nahum (Nah_2:3). The surface of the shield was kept bright by the application of oil as implied in Isa_21:5; hence, Saul's shield is described as “not anointed with oil,” i.e. dusty and gory (2Sa_1:21). Oil would be as useful for the metal as for the leather shield. In order to preserve it from the effects of weather, the shield was kept covered except in actual conflict (Isa_22:6; comp. Caesar, B. G. 2, 21; Cicero, Nat. Deor. 2, 14). The shield was worn oh the left arm, to which it was attached by a strap. It was used not only in the field, but also in besieging towns, when it served for the protection of the head, the combined shields of the besiegers forming a kind of testudo (Eze_26:8). Shields of state were covered with beaten gold. Solomon made such for use in religious processions (1Ki_10:16-17); when these were carried off they were replaced by shields of brass, which, as being less valuable, were kept in the guard room (1Ki_14:27), while the former had been suspended in the palace for ornament.
A large golden shield was sent as a present to the Romans when the treaty with them was renewed by Simon Maccabaeus (1Ma_14:24; 1Ma_15:18) it was intended as a token of alliance (σύμβολον τ ης συμμαχίας, Josephus, Ant. 14, 8, 5); but whether any symbolic significance was attached to the shield in particular as being the weapon of protection is uncertain. Other instances of a similar present occur (Sueton. Calig. 16), as well as of complimentary presents of a different kind on the part of allies (Cicero, Verr. 2 Act. 4, 29, 67). Shields were suspended about public buildings for ornamental purposes (1Ki_10:17; 1Ma_4:57; 1Ma_6:2). This was particularly the case with the shields (assuming shelet to have this meaning) which David took from Hadadezer (2Sa_8:7; Son_4:4), and which were afterwards turned to practical account (2Ki_11:10; 2Ch_23:9). The Gammadim similarly suspended them about their towers (Eze_27:11). SEE GAMMADIM. In the metaphorical language of the Bible the shield generally represents the protection of God (e.g. Psa_3:3; Psa_28:7); but in 47:9 it is applied to earthly rulers, and in Eph_6:16 to faith.
The large shield (ἀσπίς, clipeus) of the Greeks and Romans was originally of a circular form, and in the Homeric times was large enough to cover the whole body. It was made sometimes of osiers twisted together, sometimes of wood, covered with ox hides several folds thick. On the center was a projection called ὀμφάλος, umbo, or boss, which sometimes terminated in a spike. After the Roman soldier received pay, the clipeus was discontinued for the scutum, θυρεός, of oval or oblong form, and adapted to the shape of the body. Significant devices on shields are of great antiquity. Each Roman soldier had his name inscribed on his shield. Paul (Eph_6:16) uses the word θυρεός rather than ἀσπίς. because he is describing the armor of a Roman soldier. See Kitto, Pict. Bible, note at Jdg_5:8. SEE ARMOR.



CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.





Norway

FACEBOOK

Participe de nossa rede facebook.com/osreformadoresdasaude

Novidades, e respostas das perguntas de nossos colaboradores

Comments   2

BUSCADAVERDADE

Visite o nosso canal youtube.com/buscadaverdade e se INSCREVA agora mesmo! Lá temos uma diversidade de temas interessantes sobre: Saúde, Receitas Saudáveis, Benefícios dos Alimentos, Benefícios das Vitaminas e Sais Minerais... Dê uma olhadinha, você vai gostar! E não se esqueça, dê o seu like e se INSCREVA! Clique abaixo e vá direto ao canal!


Saiba Mais

  • Image Nutrição
    Vegetarianismo e a Vitamina B12
  • Image Receita
    Como preparar a Proteína Vegetal Texturizada
  • Image Arqueologia
    Livro de Enoque é um livro profético?
  • Image Profecia
    O que ocorrerá no Armagedom?

Tags