Military Arms: Defensive: Coat of Mail, Breastplate, Habergeon, or Brigandine
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In the ancient world, military defense was as crucial as offensive weaponry, and the Bible provides several references to defensive armor used by warriors. Among these, the coat of mail, breastplate, habergeon, and brigandine are notable for their protective qualities.

Coat of Mail

The coat of mail, often referred to as a "mail shirt," was a type of armor made from interlocking metal rings or scales. This form of protection was designed to cover the torso and sometimes extended to the arms and legs, providing flexibility and defense against slashing weapons. In 1 Samuel 17:5, Goliath is described as wearing a coat of mail: "He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels." This description highlights the formidable nature of such armor, emphasizing its weight and the protection it offered to the wearer.

Breastplate

The breastplate was a piece of armor that covered the chest, protecting the heart and other vital organs. It is frequently mentioned in the context of spiritual armor in the New Testament, symbolizing righteousness and faith. In the Old Testament, the breastplate is part of the high priest's sacred garments, as described in Exodus 28:15: "You are to make a breastpiece for making decisions, the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen." While this breastplate served a ceremonial purpose, the concept of a protective breastplate was well understood in the context of military defense.

Habergeon

The habergeon, similar to the coat of mail, was a sleeveless coat of armor that extended to the knees. It is mentioned in the context of the priestly garments in Exodus 28:32, where it is described as having an opening for the head, reinforced to prevent tearing. The habergeon provided substantial protection while allowing for greater mobility than a full coat of mail. In 2 Chronicles 26:14, King Uzziah's military preparations include habergeons, indicating their use in equipping soldiers for battle.

Brigandine

The brigandine, though not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, is a type of body armor that evolved from earlier forms like the coat of mail and habergeon. It consisted of small metal plates sewn onto a fabric or leather garment, offering both flexibility and protection. While the term "brigandine" itself does not appear in biblical texts, the concept aligns with the descriptions of layered armor used by ancient warriors.

These defensive armaments were essential for survival in the warfare of biblical times, providing protection against the weapons of the enemy. They also serve as powerful metaphors in Scripture, illustrating spiritual truths about the protection and righteousness provided by God to His people.
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1 Samuel 17:5,38
And he had an helmet of brass on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
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Exodus 28:32
And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the middle thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.
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Jeremiah 46:4
Harness the horses; and get up, you horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.
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Revelation 9:9
And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
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Resources
What can we learn from the tribe of Joseph? | GotQuestions.org

How many people were raised from the dead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the history of crucifixion? What was crucifixion like? | GotQuestions.org

Arms: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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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

Military Arms: Before Using: Anointed

Military Arms: Before Using: Burnished

Military Arms: Before Using: Tried and Proved

Military Arms: Defensive: Buckler

Military Arms: Defensive: Called Armour

Military Arms: Defensive: Called Harness

Military Arms: Defensive: Coat of Mail, Breastplate, Habergeon, or Brigandine

Military Arms: Defensive: Girdle

Military Arms: Defensive: Greaves

Military Arms: Defensive: Helmet

Military Arms: Defensive: Shield

Military Arms: Defensive: Target

Military Arms: Great Stores of, Prepared

Military Arms: Hung of the Walls of Cities

Military Arms: Inferior to Wisdom

Military Arms: Judgments of God

Military Arms: Made of Iron, Steel, or Brass

Military Arms: Not Worn in Ordinary Times

Military Arms: Offensive: Battle-Axe

Military Arms: Offensive: Bow and Arrows

Military Arms: Offensive: Called Instruments of Death

Military Arms: Offensive: Called Instruments of War

Military Arms: Offensive: Called Weapons of War

Military Arms: Offensive: Dagger

Military Arms: Offensive: Dart or Javelin

Military Arms: Offensive: Hand Staff

Military Arms: Offensive: Sling

Military Arms: Offensive: Spear or Lance

Military Arms: Offensive: Sword

Military Arms: Offensive: Two-Edged Sword

Military Arms: Often Given As Presents

Military Arms: Part of, Borne by Armour-Bearers

Military Arms: Put on at the First Alarm

Military Arms: Spiritual Armour

Military Arms: Spiritual Weapons

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Great (10383 Occurrences)

Army (401 Occurrences)

Officer (70 Occurrences)

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Legion (3 Occurrences)

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General (9 Occurrences)

Tilt (2 Occurrences)

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Ruler (329 Occurrences)

Exercise (35 Occurrences)

Equipped (17 Occurrences)

Post (26 Occurrences)

Province (66 Occurrences)

Philippi (8 Occurrences)

Ban (12 Occurrences)

Artificer (13 Occurrences)

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Strategy (3 Occurrences)

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Asmoneans

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Rome (12 Occurrences)

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Service (317 Occurrences)

Empire (8 Occurrences)

Pontius (4 Occurrences)

Pilate (60 Occurrences)

Roman (26 Occurrences)

Elamarna

Tablets (31 Occurrences)

El-amarna

Judgment (430 Occurrences)

Alexander (5 Occurrences)

Joab (128 Occurrences)

Tell (3056 Occurrences)

Hammurabi

Prince (160 Occurrences)

Philippians (2 Occurrences)

Kingdom (409 Occurrences)

Government (20 Occurrences)

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)

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Dispersion (4 Occurrences)

Books (16 Occurrences)

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Young (3454 Occurrences)

Veteran (1 Occurrence)

Neck (97 Occurrences)

Numbering (35 Occurrences)

Noble (61 Occurrences)

Naarai (1 Occurrence)

Nobleman (5 Occurrences)

Nobles (71 Occurrences)

Military Arms: Defensive: Called Harness
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