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
See also 2 Chronicles 11:11–12, 2 Chronicles 32:5; Nehemiah 4:16; Nahum 2:5 A number of shields were used to make a wall of defence.
Kinds of shield
Large and small shields
Jeremiah 46:3 See also 1 Kings 10:16–17 parallel 2 Chronicles 9:15–16; 2 Chronicles 14:8
“Deploy your shields, small and large; advance for battle!
Gold shields
2 Samuel 8:7 parallel 1 Chronicles 18:7 See also 1 Kings 10:16–17, 1 Kings 14:26
And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.
Bronze shields
Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place and committed them to the care of the captains of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace.
Shields made of combustible materials
Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out, kindle fires, and burn up the weapons— the bucklers and shields, the bows and arrows, the clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel.
Shields covered with leather
Isaiah 21:5 Leather shields were rubbed with oil to preserve them and to deflect blows from swords or arrows.
They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields!
Shields in warfare
As part of an army's equipment
2 Chronicles 14:8 See also 1 Chronicles 12:23–24; 2 Chronicles 11:12, 2 Chronicles 26:14; Nehemiah 4:16
Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor.
Their use in battle
1 Chronicles 5:18 See also 1 Samuel 17:7; 2 Kings 19:32; Jeremiah 46:3, Jeremiah 46:9, Jeremiah 51:11; Ezekiel 23:24
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors— valiant men who carried the shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for battle.
The figurative use of shields
God is called a shield of his people
Genesis 15:1 See also 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 7:10, Psalm 18:2; Proverbs 2:7
After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
God acts as a shield
Exodus 14:19–20 See also Isaiah 52:12, Isaiah 58:8
And the angel of God, who had gone before the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them, so that it came between the camps of Egypt and Israel. The cloud was there in the darkness, but it lit up the night. So all night long neither camp went near the other.
God protects his people
Isaiah 31:5 See also Psalm 3:3, Psalm 12:7, Psalm 32:10, Psalm 125:2, Psalm 140:7; Zechariah 2:5, Zechariah 12:8
Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.”
God is a refuge for his people
Psalm 144:2 See also Psalm 18:30, Psalm 119:114; Proverbs 30:5
He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer. He is my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
God is the help and strength of his people
Psalm 28:7 See also Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalm 33:20, Psalm 115:9–11
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.
God gives victory to his people
2 Samuel 22:36 parallel Psalm 18:35
You have given me Your shield of salvation, and Your gentleness exalts me.
God's favour is compared to a shield
Psalm 5:12 See also Psalm 3:3, Psalm 32:10, Psalm 84:9–11
For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor.
God's faithfulness is compared to a shield
He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.
A shield is used as a picture of defiance towards God
For he has stretched out his hand against God and has vaunted himself against the Almighty, rushing headlong at Him with a thick, studded shield.
Faith is given to the believer to act as a shield
Ephesians 6:16 See also 1 Peter 1:5
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.