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(1.) A portable shield (2 Samuel 22:31; 1 Chronicles 5:18). (2.) A shield surrounding the person; the targe or round form; used once figuratively (Psalm 91:4). (3.) A large shield protecting the whole body (Psalm 35:2; Ezekiel 23:24; 26:8). (4.) A lance or spear; improperly rendered “buckler” in the Authorized Version (1 Chronicles 12:8), but correctly in the Revised Version “spear.” The leather of shields required oiling (2 Samuel 1:21; Isaiah 21:5), so as to prevent its being injured by moisture. Copper (= “brass”) shields were also in use (1 Samuel 17:6; 1 Kings 14:27). Those spoken of in 1 Kings 10:16, etc.; 14:26, were probably of massive metal. The shields David had taken from his enemies were suspended in the temple as mementoes (2 Kings 11:10). (See ARMOUR, SHIELD.)

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