SHIELD (sheld). The most ancient defensive piece of armor was the shield,buckler, roundel. or target. composed of a great variety of materials. very different in form and size, and therefore in all nations bearing a variety of names. The He brews used the word tsin-navi, for a great shield; defense, protection (Gen. xv:1; Ps. xlvii:9; Prov. xxx:5), which is commonly found in con nection with spear, and was the shelter of heavily armed infantry; P',=, maw a buckler, or smaller shield. which, from a similar tion with sword, bow and arrows appears to have been the defense of the other armed infantry and of chiefs; and so-kkay-raw', a roun del, which may have been appropriated to archers and slingers; and sheklel, synonymous with maw-gone, only different in ornament. Then we have the Gr. Bye6s, lhoo-reh-of ( Eph. vi:16 ), a large oblong and square shield. The ordi nary shield among the Hebrews consisted of a wooden frame covered with leather, and could be easily burned (Ezck. xxxix :9). Some shields
V. ere covered with brass, or copper, and when shone upon by the sun caused the redness men tioned in Nahum ii :3.
Figurative. (1) God's taking hold of shield and buckler, denotes his providence, for the pro tection and deliverance of his people, and for the overthrow of their enemies (Ps. xxxv :2). (2) God is the shield and buckler of his people; his truth and favor arc their shield and buckler, and he bestows on them the shield of salvation (Ps. xviii :2, 35 ; xci :4. and v :12). ( 3) Rulers in church and state are the Lord's shields (Ps. xlvii :9). (4) Faith is a shield (Eph. vi :16). (5) The truth of God is a shield (Ps. xci :4). (6) The salvation of God is a shield (2 Sam. xxii :36).