Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5527 shield
A piece of armour used to fend off blows or missiles such as arrows. God is described as the shield of his people; protecting, giving help, strength and favour. Faith is the shield with which believers are to ward off spiritual attack.
Shields are pieces of armour
See also
2 Chronicles 11:11-12; 2 C 5; Nehemiah 4:16; Nahum 2:5 A number of shields were used to make a wall of defence.
Kinds of shield
Large and small shields
Jeremiah 46:3 See also 1 Kings 10:16-17 pp 2 Chronicles 9:15-16; 2 Chronicles 14:8
Gold shields
2 Samuel 8:7 pp 1 Chronicles 18:7 See also 1 Kings 10:16-17; Kings 14:26
Bronze shields
1 Kings 14:27
Shields made of combustible materials
Ezekiel 39:9
Shields covered with leather
Isaiah 21:5 Leather shields were rubbed with oil to preserve them and to deflect blows from swords or arrows.
Shields in warfare
As part of an army's equipment
2 Chronicles 14:8 See also 1 Chronicles 12:23-24; 2 Chronicles 11:12; 2 C 14; Nehemiah 4:16
Their use in battle
1 Chronicles 5:18 See also 1 Samuel 17:7; 2 Kings 19:32; Jeremiah 46:3,9; Jeremiah 51:11; Ezekiel 23:24
The figurative use of shields
God is called a shield of his people
Genesis 15:1 See also 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 7:10; Psalm 18:2; Proverbs 2:7
God acts as a shield
Exodus 14:19-20 See also Isaiah 52:12; Isaiah 58:8
God protects his people
Isaiah 31:5 See also Psalm 3:3; Psalm 12:7; Psalm 32:10; Psalm 125:2; Psalm 140:7; Zechariah 2:5; Zechariah 12:8
God is a refuge for his people
Psalm 144:2 See also Psalm 18:30; Psalm 119:114; Proverbs 30:5
God is the help and strength of his people
Psalm 28:7 See also Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalm 33:20; Psalm 115:9-11
God gives victory to his people
2 Samuel 22:36 pp Psalm 18:35
God's favour is compared to a shield
Psalm 5:12 See also Psalm 3:3; Psalm 32:10; Psalm 84:9-11
God's faithfulness is compared to a shield
Psalm 91:4
A shield is used as a picture of defiance towards God
Job 15:25-26
Faith is given to the believer to act as a shield
Ephesians 6:16 See also 1 Peter 1:5
1035 God, faithfulness 4126 Satan, resistance to 5209 armour 5237 breastplate 5291 defence 5480 protection 5490 refuge 5596 victory 5605 warfare 5954 strength 8020 faith 8486 spiritual warfare, armour
