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Shield

Original Hebrew / Aramaic / Greek connected to this term

How to read this: there is rarely one magic “true meaning” hidden behind an English word. A lexicon records a word’s semantic range. The intended meaning is narrowed by grammar, sentence, author, historical usage and context.

HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H8121

שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ

she.mesh — sun

1) sun 1a) sun 1b) sunrise, sun-rising, east, sun-setting, west (of direction) 1c) sun (as object of illicit worship) 1d) openly, publicly (in other phrases) 1e) pinnacles, battlements, shields (as glittering or shining)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H1354

גַּב

gav — back/rim/brow

1) convex surface, back 1a) back (of man) 1b) mound (for illicit worship) 1c) boss (convex projection of shield) 1d) bulwarks, breastworks (of arguments-fig.) 1e) brow, eyebrow 1f) rim (of wheel) Aramaic equivalent: gav (גַּב "back" H1355)

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GREEK · G2375

θυρεός

thureos — long shield

θυρεός, -οῦ, ὁ (θύρα), [in LXX for מָגֵן, צִנָּה ;] 1. in Hom., a door-stone. 2. In late Gk. (Polyb., Plut.), the scutum, a large oblong shield: θ. τ. πίστεως, Eph.6:16 (cf. Wis.5:20, where ὁσιότης is likened to the ἀσπίς, the clypeus or small round shield of the light-armed soldier).† (AS)

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GREEK · G20618

κύκλος

kuklos — sphere, globe

1. a ring, circle, round , (Homer); ἀσπίδος κύκλος the round shield, (Aeschulus Tragicus) 2. Adverbial usages, κύκλῳ in a circle or ring, round about , (Odyssey by Homer), attic; with genitive, κ. τοῦ στρατοπέδου (Xenophon Historicus), etc. 3. any circular body : 4. a wheel , (Iliad by Homer) 5. a place of assembly , the ἀγορά, (Iliad by Homer), attic:—;then, like Lat. corona, a ring or circle of people , (Sophocles Tragicus) 6. the vault of the sky, (Herdotus Historicus), etc. 7. the orb or disk of the sun and moon, (Herdotus Historicus), etc. 9. a round shield , see. above 1. 10. in plural the eye-balls, eyes , (Sophocles Tragicus):—;rarely in singular, the eye , (Sophocles Tragicus) 11. any circular motion, an orbit of the heavenly bodies, revolution of the seasons, cycle of events, (Herdotus Historicus) 12. a circular dance , (Aristophanes Comicus) (ML)

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GREEK · G21235

τινάσσω

tinassō — to quake

1. to shake or brandish a weapon or shield, (Iliad by Homer), etc. 2. generally, to shake , τ. γαῖαν, of Poseidon, (Iliad by Homer); θρόνον ἐτίναξε upset the seat, (Odyssey by Homer): of wind, to scatter , (Odyssey by Homer):—;Mid., τιναξάσθην πτερά they shook their wings, (Odyssey by Homer):—;Pass., ἐτινάσσετο Ὄλυμπος shook or quaked , (Hesiod) (ML)

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GREEK · G6791

δεινός

deinos — awful

1. fearful, terrible, dread, dire , (Homer), etc.; δεινὸν ἀϋτεῖν, βροντᾶν to shout, thunder terribly , (Iliad by Homer); δεινὸν δέρκεσθαι, παπταίνειν, ἰδεῖν to look terrible , (Homer); but, δεινὸς ἰδέσθαι fearful to behold, (Odyssey by Homer); δεινὸς μὲν ὁρᾶν, δεινὸς δὲ κλύειν (Sophocles Tragicus):—; τὸ δεινόν danger, suffering, awe, terror , (Herdotus Historicus), etc.; so, τὰ δεινά (Sophocles Tragicus), etc.:—; οὐδὲν δεινοί, μὴ ἀποστέωσιν no fear of their revolting, (Herdotus Historicus):—; δεινὸν ποιεῖσθαι to take ill, complain of, be indignant at a thing, Lat. aegre ferre, (Herdotus Historicus), etc.; δεινὰ παθεῖν to suffer dreadful, illegal, arbitrary treatment, attic; so in adverb, δεινῶς φέρειν (Herdotus Historicus); δ. ἔχειν to be in straits , (Xenophon Historicus) 2. with a notion of Force or Power, mighty, powerful , δεινὸν σάκος the mighty shield, (Iliad by Homer) 3. simply, wondrous, marvellous, strange , τὸ συγγενές τοι δεινόν kin has a strange power , (Aeschulus Tragicus); δ. ἵμερος, ἔρως, δέος (Herdotus Historicus); δεινὸν ἂν εἴη, εἰ . ., it were strange that . ., (Euripides):—;adverb -νῶς, marvellously, exceedingly , δ. μέλας, ἄνυδρος (Herdotus Historicus) 4. the sense of powerful, wondrous passed into that of able, clever, skilful , (Herdotus Historicus), attic; especially of practical ability , opposite to σοφός, (Plato Philosophus): with infinitive, δεινὸς εὑρεῖν clever at inventing, (Aeschulus Tragicus); δεινὸς λέγειν (Sophocles Tragicus); δεινὸς πράγμασι χρῆσθαι (Demosthenes Orator): also with accusative, δεινὸς τὴν τέχνην (Plato Philosophus); δ. περί τι or τινος (Plato Philosophus) (ML)

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GREEK · G7740

ἰτέα

itea — willow

1. a willow , Lat. salix, (Iliad by Homer), etc. 2. a wicker shield, target , (Euripides) (ML)

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GREEK · G8134

κύτος

kutos — extent

1. the hollow of a shield or breastplate, (Aeschulus Tragicus) 2. any vessel, a vase, jar, urn , (Aeschulus Tragicus), etc.; πλεκτὸν κ. a basket, (Euripides) 3. anything that contains the body , (Sophocles Tragicus) (ML)

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GREEK · G8514

ὀμφαλός

omphalos — anavel

1. the navel , Lat. umbilicus, (Iliad by Homer), etc. 2. anything central (like a navel) : 3. the knob or boss in the middle of the shield, Lat. umbo, (Iliad by Homer) 4. a button or knob on the horse's yoke to fasten the reins to, (Iliad by Homer) 5. in plural the knobs at each end of the stick round which books were rolled , Lat. umbilici, (Lucian) 6. the centre or middle point , as the island of Calypso is the ὀμφαλός of the sea, (Odyssey by Homer); and Delphi (or rather a round stone in the Delphic temple) was called ὀμφαλός as marking the middle point of Earth , (Pindar), etc. (ML)

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GREEK · G8536

ὁπλίτης

hoplitēs — armed with a large shield

1. heavy-armed, armed , δρόμος ὁπλ. a race of men in armour , opposite to the naked race, (Pindar); ὁπλ. στρατός an armed host, (Euripides); ὁπλ. κόσμος warrior- dress, armour, (Euripides) 2. as Substantive, a heavy-armed foot-soldier, man-at-arms , who carried a large shield ὅπλον); whence the name, as the light-armed foot-soldier πελταστής); had his from the light πέλτη, (Herdotus Historicus), attic; ὁπλῖται are opposite to ψιλοί, (Herdotus Historicus) (ML)

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GREEK · G8591

πάλλω

pallō — to agitate

1. to poise or sway a missile before it is thrown, (Euripides) 2. to sway other arms, not missiles, σάκος (Hesiod); πέλτας (Euripides):—;then, to toss a child, (Iliad by Homer); Νὺξ ὄχημm ἔπαλλεν she drave it furiously , (Euripides) 3. κλήρους ἐν κυνέηι πάλλον they shook the lots together in a helmet, till one leapt forth, (Homer): absolute to cast lots , (Iliad by Homer); ὅθ᾽ αὐτοὺς οἱ βραβεῖς κλήροις ἔπηλαν where the stewards ranged them by casting lots, (Sophocles Tragicus):—;Mid. to draw lots , ἔλαχον ἅλα παλλομένων I obtained the sea when we cast lots , (Iliad by Homer); so in (Herdotus Historicus) 4. Pass. to swing or dash oneself , ἐν ἄντυγι πάλτο he dashed himself upon the shield-rim, (Iliad by Homer): to quiver, leap , especially in fear, πάλλεται ἦτορ (Iliad by Homer); also of the person, παλλομένη κραδίην (Iliad by Homer); of dying fish, to quiver, leap , (Herdotus Historicus) 5. intransitive, like the Pass., to leap, bound , (Euripides): to quiver , (Sophocles Tragicus) (ML)

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GREEK · G8688

πελταστής

peltastēs — armed with a small shield

one who bears a light shield πέλτη); instead of the heavy ὅπλον, a targeteer , Lat. cetratus, (Euripides), etc. The peltasts held a place between the ὁπλῖται and ψιλοί. (ML)

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GREEK · G8689

πέλτη

peltē — a small shield

1. a small light shield of leather without a rim ἴτυς); a target , Lat. cetra, originally used by the Thracians, (Herdotus Historicus), etc. 2. a body of πελτασταί, (Euripides) 3. a horse's ornament , (Euripides) 4. = παλτόν, a shaft, pole , (Xenophon Historicus) (ML)

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GREEK · G8892

πρόβλημα

problēma — a riddle

1. anything projecting, a headland, promontory , (Sophocles Tragicus) 2. anything put before one, a fence, barrier, screen , (Herdotus Historicus), attic; πρ. σώματος, of a shield, (Aeschulus Tragicus); προβλήματα ἵππων χαλκᾶ the brasen armour of horses, (Xenophon Historicus) 3. with genitive a defence against a thing, πέτρων (Aeschulus Tragicus); χείματος (Euripides); κακῶν (Aristophanes Comicus) 4. πρ. φόβου ἢ αἰδοῦς ἔχειν to have fear or shame as a defence , (Sophocles Tragicus) 5. anything put forward as an excuse or screen , (Demosthenes Orator); so, πρ. λαβεῖν τινά (as we say) to make a stalking horse of him, (Sophocles Tragicus) 6. that which is proposed, a task, business , (Euripides) 7. a problem in Geometry, (Plato Philosophus) (ML)

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GREEK · G9046

σάγμα

sagma — a packsaddle

1. mostly in plural covering: the covering of a shield , (Euripides): a large cloak , (Aristophanes Comicus) 2. a pack-saddle , (Strabo Geographus) 3. a pile , ὅπλων (Plutarch) (ML)

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GREEK · G9414

τελαμών

telamōn — a ligature

1. a broad strap for bearing anything from Root ! τλα, * τλάω, whence also the hero Telamon took his name, compare Ἄτλας 2. a leathern strap or belt , for bearing both shield or sword, (Homer) 3. a broad linen bandage for wounds, (Iliad by Homer); for swathing mummies, (Herdotus Historicus) (ML)

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Historical dictionary entry

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.

Scripture references

1 Samuel 17:72 Samuel 1:211 Kings 10:171 Chronicles 12:81 Chronicles 12:241 Chronicles 12:34Isaiah 22:6Ezekiel 39:9Nahum 2:3Genesis 15:1Deuteronomy 33:29Psalms 33:20Psalms 84:11Ephesians 6:16Isaiah 21:51Macc 6:39Psalms 3:3Psalms 28:7Psalms 47:9Ephesians 6:18

Source: Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897). Historical dictionary wording reflects the scholarship and language of its era.

Compare other reference traditions

Look up Shield in Smith’s Bible Dictionary and ISBE →