Encyclopedia entry
Shield
Used in defensive warfare, varying at different times and under different circumstances in size, form, and material (1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 1:21; 1 Kings 10:17; 1 Chr. 12:8, 24, 34; Isa. 22:6; Ezek. 39:9; Nahum 2:3).
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Used figuratively of God and of earthly princes as the defenders of their people (Gen. 15:1; Deut. 33:29; Ps. 33:20; 84:11). Faith is compared to a shield (Eph. 6:16).
Shields were usually “anointed” (Isa. 21:5), in order to preserve them, and at the same time make the missiles of the enemy glide off them more easily.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
The ordinary shield consisted of a framework of wood covered with leather; it thus admitted of being burnt. (Ezekiel 39:9) It was frequently cased with metal, either brass or copper; its appearance in this case resembled gold when the sun shone on it, 1 Macc. 6:39 and to this, rather than to the practice of smearing blood on the shield we may refer the redness noticed by. Nahum. (Nahum 2:3) The surface of the shield was kept bright by the application of oil as implied in (Isaiah 21:5) The shield was worn on the left arm, to which it was attached by a strap. Shields of state were covered with beaten gold. Shields were suspended about public buildings for ornamental purposes. (1 Kings 10:17) In the metaphorical language of the Bible the shield generally represents the protection of God: e.g. (Psalms 3:3; 28:7) but in (Psalms 47:9) it is applied to earthly rulers and in (Ephesians 6:18) to faith. [Arms, Armor]
In the Bible
61
Verses where Shield is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 5:18
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors—valiant men who carried the shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for battle.
- 1 Chronicles 12:8
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains:
- 1 Chronicles 12:24
From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears.
- 1 Chronicles 12:34
From Naphtali: 1,000 commanders, accompanied by 37,000 men with shield and spear.
- 1 Kings 10:16
King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield.
- 1 Kings 10:17
He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
+55 more verses naming Shield.
Scripture on Shield
48
See all 48 +−
- Psalms 18Psalms 115Isaiah 21Ephesians 6Genesis 15Deuteronomy 332 Samuel 12 Chronicles 9Psalms 3Psalms 33Psalms 84Isaiah 22Jeremiah 46Ezekiel 39Exodus 35Deuteronomy 13Judges 52 Kings 191 Chronicles 52 Chronicles 172 Chronicles 25Job 15Job 39Psalms 5Psalms 7Psalms 28Psalms 35Psalms 47Psalms 59Psalms 76Psalms 89Psalms 91Psalms 119Psalms 140Psalms 144Proverbs 2Proverbs 30Isaiah 31Isaiah 37Ezekiel 23Ezekiel 27Ezekiel 38Zechariah 9
Entries that reference Shield
1
Voices on Shield
9
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.