Bible Thesaurus: Arms

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Thesaurus

Arms (166 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ARMOR; ARMS. ar'-mer, arms. I. ARMOR IN
GENERAL-OLD TESTAMENT II. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT; POLYBIUS III. ...
/a/arms.htm - 56k

Fathom (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Old AS faethm, "bosom, " or the outstretched
arms), a span of six feet (Acts 27:28). Gr. orguia (from ...
/f/fathom.htm - 9k

Armor (53 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Defensive arms for the body; any clothing or covering
worn to protect one's person in battle. ... ARMOR; ARMS. ar'-mer, arms. ...
/a/armor.htm - 41k

Embrace (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug. ... (n.) Intimate
or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the bosom; clasp; hug. ...
/e/embrace.htm - 11k

Armrests (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:19 There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was
round behind; and there were arms on either side by the place of the seat, and ...
/a/armrests.htm - 7k

Grasp (20 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To seize and hold by clasping or embracing
with the fingers or arms; to catch to take possession of. ...
/g/grasp.htm - 13k

Folding (14 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Acts 20:10 Paul, however, went down, threw himself upon him, and folding
him in his arms said, "Do not be alarmed; his life is still in him." (WEY DBY). ...
/f/folding.htm - 11k

Armoury (3 Occurrences)
... At first each man of the Hebrews had his own arms, because all went to
war. There were no arsenals or magazines for arms till the ...
/a/armoury.htm - 8k

Alarm (26 Occurrences)
... quivering sound of the silver trumpets to give warning to the Hebrews on their journey
through the wilderness (Numbers 10:5, 6), a call to arms, or a war-note ...
/a/alarm.htm - 16k

Salute (48 Occurrences)
... etc. 3. (vt) To honor, as some day, person, or nation, by a discharge of
cannon or small arms, by dipping colors, by cheers, etc. 4 ...
/s/salute.htm - 19k

Bible Concordance

Arms (166 Occurrences)

Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise in arms against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places;
(WEY)

Mark 3:26 So if Satan has risen in arms and has made war upon himself, stand he cannot, but meets his end.
(WEY)

Mark 9:36 He took a little child, and set him in the midst of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 10:16 He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 13:8 For nation will rise in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These miseries are but like the early pains of childbirth.
(WEY)

Luke 1:40 And went into the house of Zacharias and took Elisabeth in her arms.
(BBE)

Luke 2:28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 15:5 And when he has got it again, he takes it in his arms with joy.
(BBE)

Luke 15:20 "So he rose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and pitied him, and ran and threw his arms round his neck and kissed him tenderly.
(WEY BBE NIV)

Luke 16:23 And in Hades, being in torment, he looked and saw Abraham in the far distance, and Lazarus resting in his arms.
(WEY)

Luke 21:10 Then He said to them, "Nation will rise in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
(WEY)

John 18:3 So Judas, getting a band of armed men and police from the chief priests and Pharisees, went there with lights and with arms.
(BBE)

John 21:18 "In most solemn truth I tell you that whereas, when you were young, you used to put on your girdle and walk whichever way you chose, when you have grown old you will stretch out your arms and some one else will put a girdle round you and carry you where you have no wish to go."
(WEY)

Acts 20:10 Paul, however, went down, threw himself upon him, and folding him in his arms said, "Do not be alarmed; his life is still in him."
(WEY BBE DBY NIV)

Acts 20:37 and with loud lamentation they all threw their arms round his neck, and kissed him lovingly,
(WEY)

Acts 21:11 When he arrived he took Paul's loincloth, and bound his own feet and arms with it, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So will the Jews in Jerusalem bind the owner of this loincloth, and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'"
(WEY)

Romans 10:21 While as to Israel he says, "All day long I have stretched out My arms to a self-willed and fault-finding people."
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 6:7 In the true word, in the power of God; with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
(BBE DBY)

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the arms with which we are fighting are not those of the flesh, but are strong before God for the destruction of high places);
(BBE DBY)

Ephesians 6:13 For this reason take up all the arms of God, so that you may be able to be strong in the evil day, and, having done all, to keep your place.
(BBE)

Philippians 2:25 Yet I deem it important to send Epaphroditus to you now--he is my brother and comrade both in labour and in arms, and is your messenger who has ministered to my needs.
(WEY)

Hebrews 12:12 Therefore, lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees,
(See NIV)

Genesis 16:5 Sarai said to Abram, "This wrong is your fault. I gave my handmaid into your bosom, and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes. Yahweh judge between me and you."
(See NAS NIV)

Genesis 21:18 Come, take your child in your arms, for I will make of him a great nation.
(BBE)

Genesis 24:22 And when the camels had had enough, the man took a gold nose-ring, half a shekel in weight, and two ornaments for her arms of ten shekels weight of gold;
(BBE RSV)

Genesis 24:30 It happened, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, "This is what the man said to me," that he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
(See RSV NIV)

Genesis 24:47 I asked her, and said,'Whose daughter are you?' She said,'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.
(See RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:13 And Laban, hearing news of Jacob, his sister's son, came running, and took Jacob in his arms, and kissing him, made him come into his house. And Jacob gave him news of everything.
(BBE)

Genesis 33:4 Then Esau came running up to him, and folding him in his arms, gave him a kiss: and the two of them were overcome with weeping.
(BBE NIV)

Genesis 45:14 Then, weeping, he took Benjamin in his arms, and Benjamin himself was weeping on Joseph's neck.
(BBE NIV)

Genesis 46:29 And Joseph got his carriage ready and went to Goshen for the meeting with his father; and when he came before him, he put his arms round his neck, weeping.
(BBE NIV)

Genesis 48:10 Now because Israel was old, his eyes were no longer clear, and he was not able to see. So he made them come near to him, and he gave them a kiss, folding them in his arms.
(BBE)

Genesis 48:14 Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
(See NIV)

Genesis 49:24 But his bow remained strong. The arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, (from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel),
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 28:7 It is to have two bands stitched to it at the top of the arms, joining it together.
(BBE)

Exodus 28:12 And the two stones are to be placed on the ephod, over the arm-holes, to be stones of memory for the children of Israel: Aaron will have their names on his arms when he goes in before the Lord, to keep the Lord in mind of them.
(BBE)

Exodus 28:25 Joining the other ends of the chains to the gold frames and putting them on the front of the ephod, at the top of the arms.
(BBE)

Exodus 28:27 And make two more gold rings and put them on the front of the ephod at the top of the arms, at the join, over the worked band:
(BBE)

Exodus 39:4 And they made two bands for joining its edges together at the top of the arms.
(BBE)

Numbers 11:12 Am I the father of all this people? have I given them birth, that you say to me, Take them in your arms, like a child at the breast, to the land which you gave by an oath to their fathers?
(BBE NIV)

Numbers 25:17 Take up arms against the Midianites and overcome them;
(BBE)

Numbers 32:17 but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place; and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
(See RSV)

Numbers 32:20 And Moses said unto them: 'If ye will do this thing: if ye will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war,
(See RSV)

Deuteronomy 13:15 Then take up arms against the people of that town and give it up to the curse, with all its cattle and everything in it.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 20:19 If in war a town is shut in by your armies for a long time, do not let its trees be cut down and made waste; for their fruit will be your food; are the trees of the countryside men for you to take up arms against them?
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 23:13 And have among your arms a spade; and when you have been to that place, let that which comes from you be covered up with earth:
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 28:7 By the power of the Lord, those who take arms against you will be overcome before you: they will come out against you one way, and will go in flight from you seven ways.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 32:10 He came to him in the waste land, in the unpeopled waste of sand: putting his arms round him and caring for him, he kept him as the light of his eye.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 33:11 Let your blessing, O Lord, be on his substance, may the work of his hands be pleasing to you: may those who take up arms against him and all who have hate for him, be wounded through the heart, never to be lifted up again.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 33:12 And of Benjamin he said, Benjamin is the loved one of the Lord, he will be kept safe at all times; he will be covered by the Most High, resting between his arms.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your dwelling place. Underneath are the everlasting arms. He thrust out the enemy from before you, and said,'Destroy!'
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 5:8 They had no one to make arms, there were no more armed men in the towns; was there a body-cover or a spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?
(BBE)

Judges 6:35 He sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; and they also were gathered together after him: and he sent messengers to Asher, and to Zebulun, and to Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
(See NIV)

Judges 10:17 Then the Ammonites were called to arms, and they encamped in Gilead; and the people of Israel came together, and they encamped at Mizpah.
(DBY RSV NIV)

Judges 12:1 Now the men of Ephraim came together and took up arms and went over to Zaphon; and they said to Jephthah, Why did you go over to make war against the children of Ammon without sending for us to go with you? Now we will put your house on fire over you.
(BBE DBY RSV)

Judges 15:14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him: and the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily on him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands dropped from off his hands.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 16:12 So Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said to him, "The Philistines are on you, Samson!" The ambush was waiting in the inner chamber. He broke them off his arms like a thread.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 16:29 Then Samson put his arms round the two middle pillars supporting the house, putting his weight on them, on one with his right hand and on the other with his left.
(BBE)

Judges 18:23 Crying out to them. And the Danites, turning round, said to Micah, What is your trouble, that you have taken up arms?
(BBE)

Judges 20:1 Then all the children of Israel took up arms, and the people came together like one man, from Dan to Beer-sheba, and the land of Gilead, before the Lord at Mizpah.
(BBE)

Ruth 4:16 And Naomi took the child and put her arms round it, and she took care of it.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 14:1 Now one day Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man who was with him, looking after his arms, Come, let us go over to the Philistine force over there. But he said nothing to his father.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 14:6 And Jonathan said to his young servant who had his arms, Come, let us go over to the armies of these men who have no circumcision: it may be that the Lord will give us help, for there is no limit to his power; the Lord is able to give salvation by a great army or by a small band.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 16:21 And David came to Saul, waiting before him: and he became very dear to Saul, who made him his servant, giving him the care of his arms.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 17:54 And David took the head of the Philistine to Jerusalem, but the metal war-dress and the arms he put in his tent.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 20:40 And Jonathan gave his arms to his lad, and said to him, Go, carry them to the city.
(WBS)

1 Samuel 21:8 And David said to Ahimelech, Have you no sword or spear with you here? for I have come without my sword and other arms, because the king's business had to be done quickly.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 22:13 And Saul said to him, Why have you made designs against me with the son of Jesse, giving him food and a sword and getting directions from the Lord for him, and helping him to take up arms against me, and to be on the watch to make a secret attack on me as he is doing now?
(BBE)

1 Samuel 25:29 And though a man has taken up arms against you, putting your life in danger, still the soul of my lord will be kept safe among the band of the living with the Lord your God; and the souls of those who are against you he will send violently away from him, like stones from a bag.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 29:8 And David said to Achish, But what have I done? what have you seen in your servant while I have been with you till this day, that I may not go and take up arms against those who are now making war on my lord the king?
(BBE)

1 Samuel 31:4 Then Saul said to the servant who had the care of his arms, Take out your sword and put it through me, before these men without circumcision come and make sport of me. But his servant, full of fear, would not do so. Then Saul took out his sword, and falling on it, put an end to himself.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 1:21 O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain on you, you fields of death: for there the arms of the strong have been shamed, the arms of Saul, as if he had not been marked with the holy oil.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 1:27 How have the great ones been made low, and the arms of war broken!
(BBE)

2 Samuel 2:21 And Abner said, Then go to the right or to the left and put your hands on one of the fighting-men and take his arms. But Asahel would not be turned away from going after Abner.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 12:3 But the poor man had only one little she-lamb, which he had got and taken care of: from its birth it had been with him like one of his children; his meat was its food, and from his cup it took its drink, resting in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him.
(BBE NIV)

2 Samuel 12:8 I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that would have been too little, I would have added to you many more such things.
(See NIV)

2 Samuel 13:11 And when she took them to give them to him, he put his arms round her and said, Come to bed, my sister.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 18:19 Then Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, said, Let me go and give the king news of how the Lord has done right in his cause against those who took up arms against him.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 18:28 And Ahimaaz, crying out to the king, said, It is well. And falling down before the king, with his face to the earth, he said, May the Lord your God be praised, who has given up the men who took up arms against my lord the king!
(BBE)

2 Samuel 18:31 And then the Cushite came and said, I have news for my lord the king: today the Lord has done right in your cause against all those who took up arms against you.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 20:21 Not so: but a man of the hill-country of Ephraim, Sheba, son of Bichri, by name, has taken up arms against the king, against David: give up this man only, and I will go away from the town. And the woman said to Joab, His head will be dropped over the wall to you.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 22:35 He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of brass.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 23:7 But the man that toucheth them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place.
(See RSV)

2 Samuel 23:37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, who had the care of the arms of Joab, son of Zeruiah,
(BBE)

2 Samuel 24:9 And Joab gave the king the number of all the people: there were in Israel eight hundred thousand fighting men able to take up arms; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand.
(BBE)

1 Kings 1:2 So his servants said to him, Let search be made for a young virgin for my lord the king, to take care of him and be waiting on him; and you may take her in your arms, and so my lord the king will be warm.
(BBE)

1 Kings 3:20 And she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while your servant was sleeping; and she took it in her arms and put her dead child in my arms.
(BBE)

1 Kings 10:19 There were six steps going up to it, and the top of it was round at the back, there were arms on the two sides of the seat, and two lions by the side of the arms;
(BBE DBY JPS NAS)

1 Kings 17:19 And he said to her, Give your son to me. And lifting him out of her arms, he took him up to his room and put him down on his bed.
(BBE NIV)

1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel said in answer, Say to him, The time for loud talk is not when a man is putting on his arms, but when he is taking them off.
(BBE)

2 Kings 3:21 Now all Moab, hearing that the kings had come to make war against them, got together all who were able to take up arms and went forward to the edge of the country.
(BBE NIV)

2 Kings 4:16 And Elisha said, At this time in the coming year you will have a son in your arms. And she said, No, my lord, O man of God, do not say what is false to your servant.
(BBE NIV)

2 Kings 4:37 And she came in, and went down on her face to the earth at his feet; then she took her son in her arms and went out.
(BBE)

2 Kings 9:24 Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and struck Joram between his arms; and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS)

2 Kings 10:2 Straight away, when you get this letter, seeing that your master's sons are with you, and that you have carriages and horses and a walled town and arms;
(BBE)

2 Kings 16:7 So Ahaz sent representatives to Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, saying, I am your servant and your son; come to my help against the kings of Aram and Israel who have taken up arms against me.
(BBE)

2 Kings 18:7 And the Lord was with him; he did well in all his undertakings: and he took up arms against the king of Assyria and was his servant no longer.
(BBE)

2 Kings 19:32 For this cause the Lord says about the king of Assyria, He will not come into this town, or send an arrow against it; he will not come before it with arms, or put up an earthwork against it;
(BBE)

2 Kings 20:13 And Hezekiah was glad at their coming and let them see all his store of wealth, the silver and the gold and the spices and the oil of great price, and the house of his arms, and everything there was in his stores; there was nothing in all his house or his kingdom which Hezekiah did not let them see.
(BBE)

2 Kings 24:1 In his days, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up and Jehoiakim was his servant for three years; then he took up arms against him.
(BBE)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) Instruments or weapons of offense or defense.

2. (n.) The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science.

3. (n.) Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon.

4. (n.) The ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colors borne in shields, banners, etc., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son.

5. (n.) The legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ARMOR; ARMS

ar'-mer, arms.

I. ARMOR IN GENERAL-OLD TESTAMENT

II. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT; POLYBIUS

III. OFFENSIVE WEAPONS

1. Rod

2. Sling

3. Bow and Arrows

4. Spear-Javelin

5. Sword

IV. DEFENSIVE WEAPONS

1. Shield

2. Helmet

3. Coat of Mail

4. Greaves

5. Girdle

LITERATURE

I. Armor in General-Old Testament.

(maddim; 1 Samuel 17:38 1 Samuel 14:1 the Revised Version (British and American) APPAREL; nesheq, 1 Kings 10:25 Job 39:21; kelim; ta hopla): Under this head it may be convenient to notice the weapons of attack and defense in use among the Hebrews, mentioned in Scripture. There are no such descriptions given by the sacred writers as are to be found in Homer, who sets forth in detail the various pieces of armor worn by an Achilles or a Patroclus, and the order of putting them on. There is an account of the armor offensive and defensive of the Philistine Goliath (1 Samuel 17:5-7); and from a much later time we read of shields and spears and helmets and habergeons, or coats of mail, and bows and slings with which Uzziah provided his soldiers (2 Chronicles 26:14). In Jeremiah's ode of triumph over the defeat of Pharaoh-neco, there is mention of the arms of the Egyptians: "Prepare ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle. Harness the horses, and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, put on the coats of mail" (Jeremiah 46:3, 4). Of the arms of Assyrian, Chaldean, Egyptian and Hittite soldiery there have come down to us sculptured representations from their ancient monuments, which throw light upon the battlepieces of the Hebrew historians and prophets.

II. In the New Testament; Polybius.

In the New Testament, Paul describes the panoply of the Christian soldier, naming the essential pieces of the Roman soldier's armor-the girdle, the breastplate, the footgear, the shield, the helmet, the sword-although it is to be noticed that his most characteristic weapon, the pilum or spear, is omitted (Ephesians 6:10-17). In a similar context the same apostle speaks of "the armor" of light (Romans 13:12), "of righteousness on the right hand and on the left" (2 Corinthians 6:7). Of the equipment of the Roman soldier in detail, the most useful illustration is the account given by Polybius (vi.23): "The Roman panoply consists in the first place of a shield (thureos).. Along with the shield is a sword (machaira).. Next come two javelins (hussoi) and a helmet (perikephalaia), and a greave (knemis).... Now the majority, when they have further put on a bronze plate, measuring a span every way, which they wear on their breasts and call a heart-guard (kardiophulax), are completely armed, but those citizens who are assessed at more than 10,000 drachmae wear instead, together with the other arms, cuirasses made of chain mail (halusidotous thorakas)."

III. Offensive Weapons.

1. Rod:

The commonest weapon in the hands of the shepherd youth of Palestine today is the rod (shebheT; rhabdos), a stick loaded at one end, which he carries in his hand, or wears attached to his wrist by a loop of string, ready for use. It is of considerable weight and is a formidable weapon whether used in self-defense or in attacking a foe. With such a weapon David may well have overcome the lion and the bear that invaded the fold. This shepherd's rod, while used for guidance, or comfort, or for numbering the flock (Psalm 23:4 Leviticus 27:32), was also a weapon with which to strike and punish (Psalm 2:9 Isaiah 10:5, 15). In this sense it has for a synonym maTTeh (Isaiah 9:4 Ezekiel 7:11), and both came to have the derived meaning of spearheads (shebheT, 2 Samuel 18:14; maTTeh, 1 Samuel 14:27). They may have been the original of the maul or hammer (mephits, Proverbs 25:18 Jeremiah 51:20, where Cyrus, as God's battle-axe, is to shatter Babylon and its inhabitants for the wrongs they have done to His people Israel).

2. Sling:

Scarcely less common and equally homely is the sling (qela`; sphendone) (1 Samuel 17:40). It consists of plaited thongs, or of one strip of leather, made broad at the middle to form a hollow or pocket for the stone or other contents, the ends being held firmly in the hand as it is whirled loaded round the head, and one of them being at length let go, so that the stone may take its flight. It is used by the shepherd still to turn the straying sheep, and it can also be used with deadly effect as a weapon of war. The slingers (ha-qalla`im, 2 Kings 3:25) belonged to the light infantry, like the archers. The Benjamites were specially skilled in the use of the sling, which they could use as well with their left hand as the right (Judges 20:16). The sling was a weapon in use in the armies of Egypt and Babylonia, and Jeremiah in a powerful figure makes the Lord say to Jerusalem in a time of impending calamity: "Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time" (Jeremiah 10:18; compare 1 Samuel 25:29).

3. Bow and Arrows:

A very important offensive weapon in the wars of Israel was the bow (qesheth) and arrows (chitstsim), and the archers whether mounted or on foot formed a powerful element of the fighting forces of the Philistines, Egyptians and Assyrians (s.v. ARCHERY; BOW).

4. Spear-Javelin:

The spear has various words to represent it.

(1) The chanith had a wooden staff or shaft of varying size and length with a head, or blade, of bronze, or, at a later time, of iron (1 Samuel 17:7). In the King James Version it is sometimes translated "javelin," but in the Revised Version (British and American) "spear" (see 1 Samuel 13:22; 1 Samuel 18:11). Saul's spear, stuck in the ground, betokened the abode of the king for the time, just as today the spear in front of his tent marks the halting-place of the Bedouin Sheikh (1 Samuel 22:6; 1 Samuel 26:7). Nahum, describing the arms of the Assyrians, joins together the flashing sword and the glittering spear (Nahum 3:3). The bearers of the chanith belonged to the heavy-armed troops.

(2) The romach, also translated in the King James Version "javelin," was of the character of a lance. It does not appear to have differed much from the chanith-they appear as synonyms in Joel 3:10, where romach is used, and in Isaiah 2, 4 where chanith is used, of spears beaten into pruning hooks. It describes the Egyptian spear in Jeremiah 46:4. The bearers of the romach also belonged to the heavy-armed troops.

(3) The kidhon was lighter than either of the preceding and more of the nature of a javelin (gaison in the Septuagint, Joshua 8:18 and Polybius vi.39, 3; Job 41:29 Jeremiah 6:23). (4) In the New Testament the word "spear" occurs only once and is represented by the Greek logche, the equivalent no doubt of chanith as above (John 19:34).

5. Sword:

The sword (cherebh) is by far the most frequently mentioned weapon in Scripture, whether offensive or defensive. The blade was of iron (1 Samuel 13:19 Joel 3:10). It was hung from the girdle on the left side, and was used both to cut and to thrust. Ehud's sword (Judges 3:16) was double-edged and a cubit in length, and, as he was left-handed, was worn on his right thigh under his clothes. The sword was kept in a sheath (1 Samuel 17:51); to draw the sword was the signal for war (Ezekiel 21:3). Soldiers are "men who draw the sword." It is the flashing sword (Nahum 3:3); the oppressing sword (Jeremiah 46:16); the devouring sword (2 Samuel 18:8 Jeremiah 12:12); the sword which drinks its fill of blood (Isaiah 34:5, 6). The sword of the Lord executes God's judgments (Jeremiah 47:6 Ezekiel 21:9, 10).

Figurative: In the highly metaphorical language of the prophets it stands for war and its attendant calamities (Jeremiah 50:35-37 Ezekiel 21:28).

In the New Testament machaira is employed for sword in its natural meaning (Matthew 26:47, 51 Acts 12:2 Hebrews 11:34, 37). Paul calls the Word of God the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17); and in the Epistle to Hebrews the Word of God is said to be sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). As a synonym the word rhomphaia is used in the Apocrypha alone of the New Testament books, save for Luke 2:35. It was the Thracian sword with large blade, and is classed by the ancients rather as a spear. The word is used frequently in the Septuagint like machaira to translate cherebh. In Revelation 1:16 the sharp two-edged sword of judgment, rhomphaia is seen in vision proceeding out of the mouth of the glorified Lord (compare Revelation 19:15). Xiphos is still another word for sword, but it is found only in the Septuagint, and not in the New Testament.

IV. Defensive Weapons.

1. Shield:

The most ancient and universal weapon of defense is the shield. The two chief varieties are

(1) the tsinnah, Latin scutum, the large shield, worn by heavy-armed infantry, adapted to the form of the human body, being made oval or in the shape of a door; hence, its Greek name, thureos, from thura, a door; and

(2) the maghen, Latin clypeus, the light, round hand-buckler, to which pelte is the Greek equivalent. The two are often mentioned together (Ezekiel 23:24; Ezekiel 38:4 Psalm 35:2).

The tsinnah was the shield of the heavy-armed (1 Chronicles 12:24); and of Goliath we read that his shield was borne by a man who went before him (1 Samuel 17:7, 41) The maghen could be borne by bowmen, for we read of men of Benjamin in Asa's army that bare shields and drew bows (2 Chronicles 14:8). The ordinary material of which shields were made was wood, or wicker-work overlaid with leather. The wood-work of the shields and other weapons of Gog's army were to serve Israel for fuel for seven years (Ezekiel 39:9). The anointing of the shield (2 Samuel 1:21 Isaiah 21:5) was either to protect it from the weather, or, more probably, was part of the consecration of the warrior and his weapons for the campaign. Solomon in his pride of wealth had 200 shields (tsinnoth) of beaten gold, and 300 targets (maghinnim) of beaten gold made for himself, and hung in the house of the forest of Lebanon (1 Kings 10:16, 17). They were only for show, and when Shishak of Egypt came up against Rehoboam and carried them off, Rehoboam replaced them with others of bronze (1 Kings 14:27). On the march, the shield was strapped over the shoulder and kept in a cover, which was removed before the battle (Isaiah 22:6). Both words are used of the mechanical device known to the Romans as the testudo employed by the besiegers of a city against the darts and stones and blazing torches thrown out by the besieged (Isaiah 37:33 Ezekiel 26:8).

Figurative: Yahweh is spoken of as the Shield and Protector of His people-of Abraham (Genesis 15:1); of Israel (Deuteronomy 33:29); of the Psalmist (Psalm 18:30; Psalm 35:2, and many other passages). In his description of the panoply of the Christian soldier, Paul introduces faith as the thureos, the large Greek-Roman shield, a defense by which he may quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

2. Helmet:

The helmet, qobha` or kobha`, seems to have been originally in the form of a skull-cap, and it is thus figured in representations of Hittites on the walls of Karnak in Egypt. In the earliest times it is found worn only by outstanding personages like kings and commanders. When King Saul armed David with his own armor he put a helmet of brass upon his head (1 Samuel 17:38). Uzziah at a later time provided his soldiers with helmets, as part of their equipment (2 Chronicles 26:14). The men of Pharaoh-neco's army also wore helmets (Jeremiah 46:4), and the mercenaries in the armies of Tyre had both shield and helmet to hang up within her (Ezekiel 27:10). The materials of the helmet were at first of wood, linen, felt, or even of rushes; leather was in use until the Seleucid period when it was supplanted by bronze (1 Maccabees 6:35); the Greek and Roman helmets both of leather and brass were well known in the Herodian period.

Figurative: Paul has the helmet, perikephalaia, for his Christian soldier (Ephesians 6:17 1 Thessalonians 5:8). In the Septuagint perikephalaia occurs eleven times as the equivalent of the Hebrew term.

3. Coat of Mail:

Body armor for the protection of the person in battle is mentioned in the Old Testament and is well known in representations of Egyptian, Persian and Parthian warriors. The shiryon, translated "habergeon" in the King James Version, rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) "coat of mail," is part of the armor of Nehemiah's workers (Nehemiah 4:16), and one of the pieces of armor supplied by King Uzziah to his soldiers. (2 Chronicles 26:14). Goliath was armed with a shiryon, and when Saul clad David in his own armor to meet the Philistine champion he put on him a coat of mail, his shiryon (1 Samuel 17:5, 38). Such a piece of body armor Ahab wore in the fatal battle of Ramoth-gilead (1 Kings 22:34). In the battle of Bethsura in the Maccabean struggle the Syrian war-elephants were protected with breastplates, the word for which, thorax, represents the shiryon in the Septuagint (1 Maccabees 6:43).

Figurative: Isaiah in a striking figure describes Yahweh as putting on righteousness for a coat of mail and salvation as a helmet, where thorax and perikephalaia are the Greek words of the Septuagint to render shiryon and kobha`. It is from this passage (Isaiah 59:17) that Paul obtains his "breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14).

4. Greaves:

Greaves (mitschah; knemides) are mentioned once in Scripture as part of the armor of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:6). They were of brass or leather, fastened by thongs round the leg and above the ankles.

5. Girdle:

The girdle (chaghorah; Greek zone) was of leather studded with nails, and was used for supporting the sword (1 Samuel 18:4 2 Samuel 20:8). SeeGIRDLE.

Figurative: For figurative uses see under the separate weapons.

LITERATURE.

Nowack, Hebraische Archaeologie, I, 359-67; Benzinger, Herzog, RE, article "Kriegswesen bei den Hebraern"; McCurdy, HPM, I, II; Woods and Powell, The Hebrew Prophets for English Readers, I, II; G. M. Mackie, Bible Manners and Customs; Browne, Hebrew Antiquities, 40-46; corresponding articles in Kitto, Hastings, and other Bible dictionaries.

T. Nicol.

Greek

1723. enagkalizomai -- to take into one's arms, to embrace
... to take into one's arms, to embrace. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
enagkalizomai Phonetic Spelling: (en-ang-kal-id'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I take ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1723.htm - 6k

3712. orguia -- a fathom (the length of the outstretched arms)
... a fathom (the length of the outstretched arms). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: orguia Phonetic Spelling: (org-wee-ah') Short Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3712.htm - 6k

4661. skulon -- arms stripped from a foe, ie spoils
... arms stripped from a foe, ie spoils. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration:
skulon Phonetic Spelling: (skoo'-lon) Short Definition: spoil taken from a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4661.htm - 6k

3696. hoplon -- a tool, implement, weapon
... implement, weapon. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: hoplon Phonetic
Spelling: (hop'-lon) Short Definition: an instrument, arms, weapons Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3696.htm - 7k

1025. brephos -- an unborn or a newborn child
... child. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: brephos Phonetic Spelling:
(bref'-os) Short Definition: infant, babe Definition: infant, babe, child in arms ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1025.htm - 6k

5162. trophos -- a nurse
... [5162 () is used in ancient Greek of a , holding her child in her arms (see ).].
Word Origin from trepho Definition a nurse NASB Word Usage nursing (1). nurse. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5162.htm - 6k

831. authenteo -- to govern, exercise authority
... 831 (from 846 , "self" and , "arms, armor") -- properly, to , ie acting
as an -- literally, -appointed (acting without submission). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/831.htm - 6k

43. agkale -- the bent arm
... Word Origin from agkos (a bend) Definition the bent arm NASB Word Usage arms
(1). arm. From agkos (a bend, "ache"); an arm (as curved) -- arm. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/43.htm - 6k

2440. himation -- an outer garment, a cloak, robe
... [2440 ("a robe") was often made of wool with openings for the head and arms, and
worn loosely the 5509 ("the under-tunic").]. Word Origin dim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2440.htm - 7k

782. aspazomai -- to welcome, greet
... From a (as a particle of union) and a presumed form of spao; to enfold in the arms,
ie (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome -- embrace, greet ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/782.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

1872. dera -- an arm
... 1871, 1872. dera. 1873 . an arm. Transliteration: dera Phonetic Spelling:
(der-aw') Short Definition: arms. Word Origin (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/1872.htm - 6k

2683. chetsen -- bosom (of a garment)
... bosom. From an unused root meaning to hold firmly; the bosom (as comprised between
the arms) -- bosom. 2682, 2683. chetsen. 2684 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2683.htm - 6k

2436. cheq -- bosom
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition bosom NASB Word Usage arms (1), base
(3), bosom (26), bottom (1), care (1), cherish (1), cherishes (2), lap (2 ...
/hebrew/2436.htm - 6k

6654. tsad -- a side
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a side NASB Word Usage arms (1), beside*
(4), hip (1), side (17), side on sides (1), side to the other (1), sides (7 ...
/hebrew/6654.htm - 6k

2220. zeroa -- arm, shoulder, strength
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition arm, shoulder, strength NASB Word Usage
arm (53), arms (19), forces (3), help (1), mighty (1), position (1), power (4 ...
/hebrew/2220.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... 1), able (1), able* (1), addition* (1), afford* (4), against* (3), allegiance (1),
allegiance* (1), along (1), alongside* (1), armpits* (1), arms (5), around (2 ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

5402. nesheq -- equipment, weapons
... Or nesheq {nay'-shek}; from nashaq; military equipment, ie (collectively) arms
(offensive or defensive), or (concretely) an arsenal -- armed men, armour(-y ...
/hebrew/5402.htm - 6k

2429. chayil -- power, strength, army
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to chayil Definition power, strength, army NASB
Word Usage aloud (1), arms (1), army (1), host (1), loudly (1), valiant (1 ...
/hebrew/2429.htm - 6k

Library

The Everlasting Arms
... HYMNS THE EVERLASTING ARMS. "His left hand is under my head, and His right hand
doth embrace me.""Cant. ii.6. JJ Winkler, 1722. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/the everlasting arms.htm

The Everlasting Arms
... XXXIII THE EVERLASTING ARMS. Deuteronomy xxxiii.27. "Underneath are the everlasting
arms,""that was the repeated burden of the great men of Israel. ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xxxiii the everlasting arms.htm

December the Third Arms and the Man!
... DECEMBER The Third ARMS AND THE MAN! 1 THESSALONIANS v.4-10. What wonderful armour
is offered to me in which to meet the insidious assaults of the devil! ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/december the third arms and.htm

Safe in the Arms of Jesus. PM
... 370 Safe in the Arms of Jesus. PM. ... Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on his gentle
breast, There by his love o'ershaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest. Hark! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/370 safe in the arms.htm

Infants, Living or Dying, in the Arms of Christ.
... RELIGIOUS EXULTATION. 666. " Infants, living or dying, in the Arms of Christ. 666.
CM Stennett. Infants, living or dying, in the Arms of Christ. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/666 infants living or.htm

The Different Nations Took up Arms against the Romans, of whom ...
... Chapter V."The Different Nations took up Arms against the Romans, of whom some were,
through the Providence of God defeated, and others brought to Terms of ...
/.../chapter v the different nations took.htm

Jumping into Father's Arms.
... Jumping into Father's Arms. I remember, while ... Without the slightest hesitation
he sprang into his father's arms. Another child was ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/jumping into fathers arms.htm

For the Glory of his Majesty's Arms, Said once a Most Christian ...
... Address 203: For the GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY'S ARMS, said once a Most Christian
king� For the GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY'S ARMS, said once ...
/.../address 203 0 0 for the glory.htm

We Say Then that the Female Holds up with Two Strong Arms These ...
... Chapter 21 We say then that the female holds up with two strong arms these
two pillars� We say then that the female holds up with ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 21 we say then.htm

Now Rests Her Soul in Jesu's Arms,
... II. Now rests her soul in Jesu's arms,. 8,8,8,8,8,8,8,8,8,8 ... by Catherine Winkworth,
1855. Now rests her soul in Jesu's arms,. Her body in the grave sleeps well,. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/ii now rests her soul.htm

Subtopics

Arms

Arms and Armor

Military Arms for Sieges: Battering Rams

Military Arms for Sieges: Engines for Casting Stones

Military Arms of Conquered Nations Taken Away to Prevent Rebellion

Military Arms of the Vanquished: Sometime Burned

Military Arms of the Vanquished: Sometimes Kept As Trophies

Military Arms of the Vanquished: Taken off Them

Military Arms were Provided by Individuals Themselves

Military Arms were Provided: from the Public Arsenals

Military Arms: Armouries Built For