Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5237 breastplate
A coat of armour comprising one or more pieces of bronze, iron or chain mail covering the chest and back to protect the heart and other vital organs. Used figuratively it refers to righteousness, faith and love.
Breastplates were coats or tunics of armour
They were part of military dress
2 Chronicles 26:14 See also 1 Samuel 17:5,38; 2 Samuel 20:8
They were worn by soldiers
2 Samuel 20:8 See also Nehemiah 4:16; Jeremiah 46:4; Jeremiah 51:3
Bronze breastplates
1 Samuel 17:5
Iron breastplates
Revelation 9:9
Those wearing breastplates were not impregnable
1 Kings 22:34 pp 2 Chronicles 18:33 See also 1 Samuel 31:3; 1 Kings 20:11
The breastplate was often referred to figuratively
As a picture of righteousness
Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:14
As a picture of faith and love
1 Thessalonians 5:8
As a picture of invincibility
See also Revelation 9:9
See also
4312 bronze 4336 iron 5145 clothing 5209 armour 5480 protection 5544 soldiers 5605 warfare 7320 breastpiece 8020 faith 8154 righteousness 8292 love 8486 spiritual warfare, armour
