Bible Dictionary
Shield
A shield was a defensive weapon made from wood, leather, or metal. Scripture uses it as a picture of God’s protection, and the New Testament compares faith to a shield against spiritual attack.
Definition
A shield is a defensive weapon whose size, shape, and material varied. It was commonly made from a wooden framework covered with leather and could be reinforced or covered with metal.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses the shield as a figure for God’s protection and, in one passage, for earthly rulers. Faith is compared to a shield against spiritual attack.
Historical Background
Shields were carried on the left arm by a strap and were often treated with oil to preserve them and help missiles glance off. State shields could be covered with beaten gold, and shields were also displayed ornamentally on public buildings.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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). 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.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
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]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sheld.</p><p>See ARMOR, IV, 1.</p>