Dict: smith - ARMS, ARMOR

smith:

ARMS, ARMOR - A>@ - The subject naturally divides itself into
I. Offensive weapons: Arms. II. Defensive weapons: Armor. I. Offensive weapons.
Apparently the earliest known and most widely used was the Chereb or SWORD. Very little can be gathered as to its shape, size, material or mode of use. Perhaps if anything is to be inferred it is that the Chereb is both a lighter and a shorter weapon than the modern sword. It was carried in a sheath, ( kjv@1Samuel:17:51; 2 Samuel 20:8; kjv@1Chronicles:21:27) slung by a girdle, ( kjv@1Samuel:25:13) and resting upon the thigh, kjv@Psalms:45:3; kjv@Judges:3:16) or upon the hips. (2 Samuel 20:8) Next we have the SPEAR; and of this weapon we meet with at least three distinct kinds. A. The Chanith , a "spear," and that of the largest kind. It was the weapon of Goliath, ( kjv@1Samuel:17:7 kjv@1Samuel:17:45 2 Samuel 21:19; kjv@1Chronicles:20:5) and also of other giants, (2 Samuel 23:21; kjv@1Chronicles:11:23) and mighty warriors. (2 Samuel kjv@2:23; 23:18; kjv@1Chronicles:11:11-20) b. Apparently lighter than the preceding was the Cidon or "javelin." When not in action the Cidon was carried on the back of the warrior, ( kjv@1Samuel:17:6) Authorized Version "target." c. Another kind of spear was the Romach . In the historical books it occurs in kjv@Numbers:25:7) and 1Kin 18:28 And frequently in the later books, as in ( kjv@1Chronicles:12:8) ("buckler"); ( kjv@2Chronicles:11:12) (It varied much in length, weight and size.) d. The Shelach was probably a lighter missile or "dart." see ( kjv@2Chronicles:23:10 kjv@2Chronicles:32:5) ("darts"); kjv@Nehemiah:4:17 kjv@Nehemiah:4:23) (see margin); kjv@Job:33:18 kjv@Job:36:12; kjv@Joel:2:8) e. Shebet , a rod or staff, is used once only to denote a weapon. (2 Samuel 18:14) Of missile weapons of offence the chief was undoubtedly the BOW, Kesheth . The ARROWS were carried in a quiver. kjv@Genesis:27:3; kjv@Isaiah:22:6 kjv@Isaiah:49:2; kjv@Psalms:127:5) From an allusion in kjv@Job:6:4 they would seem to have been some times poisoned; and kjv@Psalms:120:4) may point to a practice of using arrows with some burning material attached to them. The SLING is first mentioned in kjv@Judges:20:16) This simple weapon, with which David killed the giant Philistine, was the natural attendant of a shepherd. Later in the monarchy, slingers formed part of the regular army. ( kjv@2Kings:3:25) The BATTLE AXE, kjv@Jeremiah:51:20) a powerful weapon of whose exact form we have no knowledge. II. Armor.
The BREASTPLATE, enumerated in the description of the arms of Goliath, a "coat of mail," literally a "breastplate of scales." ( kjv@1Samuel:17:5) This word has furnished one of the names of Mount Hermon.
See (3:9) The HABERGEON is mentioned but twice
in reference to the gown of the high priest. kjv@Exodus:28:32 kjv@Exodus:39:28) It was probably a quilted shirt or doublet. The HELMET is referred to in ( kjv@1Samuel:17:5; kjv@2Chronicles:26:14; kjv@Ezekiel:27:10) (GREAVES) or defences for the feet, made of brass, are named in ( kjv@1Samuel:17:6) only. Two kinds of SHIELD are distinguishable. A. The large shield; encompassing, kjv@Psalms:6:12) the whole person. When not in actual conflict it was carried before the warrior. ( kjv@1Samuel:17:7 kjv@1Samuel:17:41) b. Of smaller dimensions was the buckler or target, probably for use in hand-to-hand fight. (Kings:10:16; kjv@2Chronicles:9:15-16)