5527 shield

A piece of armour used to fend off blows or missiles such as arrows. God is described as the shield of his people; protecting, giving help, strength and favour. Faith is the shield with which believers are to ward off spiritual attack.

Shields are pieces of armour

Kinds of shield

Large and small shields Jer 46:3 See also 1Ki 10:16-17 pp 2Ch 9:15-16; 2Ch 14:8

Gold shields 2Sa 8:7 pp 1Ch 18:7 See also 1Ki 10:16-17; 1Ki 14:26

Bronze shields 1Ki 14:27

Shields made of combustible materials Eze 39:9

Shields covered with leather Isa 21:5 Leather shields were rubbed with oil to preserve them and to deflect blows from swords or arrows.

Shields in warfare

As part of an army’s equipment 2Ch 14:8 See also 1Ch 12:23-24; 2Ch 11:12; 2Ch 26:14; Ne 4:16

Their use in battle 1Ch 5:18 See also 1Sa 17:7; 2Ki 19:32; Jer 46:3,9; Jer 51:11; Eze 23:24

The figurative use of shields

God is called a shield of his people Ge 15:1 See also 2Sa 22:3; Ps 7:10; Ps 18:2; Pr 2:7

God acts as a shield Ex 14:19-20 See also Isa 52:12; Isa 58:8

God protects his people Isa 31:5 See also Ps 3:3; Ps 12:7; Ps 32:10; Ps 125:2; Ps 140:7; Zec 2:5; Zec 12:8

God is a refuge for his people Ps 144:2 See also Ps 18:30; Ps 119:114; Pr 30:5

God is the help and strength of his people Ps 28:7 See also Dt 33:29; Ps 33:20; Ps 115:9-11

God gives victory to his people 2Sa 22:36 pp Ps 18:35

God’s favour is compared to a shield Ps 5:12 See also Ps 3:3; Ps 32:10; Ps 84:9-11

God’s faithfulness is compared to a shield Ps 91:4

A shield is used as a picture of defiance towards God Job 15:25-26

Faith is given to the believer to act as a shield Eph 6:16 See also 1Pe 1:5

See also