Bible Dictionary
Greaves
Greaves were pieces of defensive armor worn over the lower legs, extending from the foot toward the knee. Goliath wore bronze greaves as part of his battle equipment.
Definition
Greaves were defensive armor protecting the lower leg from the foot to the knee. They covered the shin and were made of leather or brass. The term is used of a piece of military equipment.
Biblical Usage
Goliath wore greaves as part of his armor in the account of David and Goliath.
Historical Background
The word is an Old English term connected with the shin. The supplied material compares the greaves with Roman cothurni and describes them as leather or brass armor.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Only in 1 Sam. 17:6, a piece of defensive armour (q.v.) reaching from the foot to the knee; from French greve, “the shin.” They were the Roman cothurni.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
a piece of defensive armor which reached from the foot to the knee and thus protected the shin of the wearer. It was made of leather or brass.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>grevz.</p><p>See ARMOR, ARMS, IV, 4.</p>