Greaves, in the context of biblical armor, refer to protective coverings for the lower legs, typically made of metal or leather. They were an essential part of a warrior's armor in ancient times, designed to shield the shins and calves during battle. The term "greaves" is mentioned in the Bible in the context of Goliath's armor.

Biblical Reference:

The most notable mention of greaves in the Bible is found in the account of David and Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:6 , it is recorded: "He had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders." This description is part of the detailed account of Goliath's formidable appearance and the extensive armor he wore, which included a bronze helmet, a coat of scale armor, and the bronze greaves on his legs. The mention of greaves highlights the completeness and sophistication of Goliath's armor, emphasizing the challenge David faced when confronting him.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, greaves were a common component of a soldier's armor. They were typically crafted from bronze or iron and were designed to protect the lower legs from blows and projectiles. The use of metal greaves indicates a level of technological advancement and wealth, as metalworking was a specialized skill. The Philistines, to whom Goliath belonged, were known for their advanced use of iron, which gave them a military advantage over their contemporaries, including the Israelites.

Symbolic Significance:

The description of Goliath's armor, including his greaves, serves to underscore the seemingly insurmountable odds faced by David. Goliath's imposing stature and heavily fortified armor symbolize the physical and spiritual challenges that God's people often encounter. Despite the formidable appearance of Goliath's armor, the narrative demonstrates that reliance on God and faith can overcome even the most daunting adversaries. David's victory over Goliath, achieved without traditional armor, serves as a testament to the power of faith and divine intervention.

Application in Christian Thought:

In Christian teachings, the armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, is often compared to the physical armor worn by ancient warriors, including greaves. While the passage does not specifically mention greaves, the concept of being fully equipped with spiritual armor is emphasized. Christians are encouraged to "stand firm" with the "belt of truth," the "breastplate of righteousness," and the "shield of faith," among other spiritual defenses. The imagery of armor, including greaves, serves as a metaphor for the protection and strength provided by God in the spiritual battles faced by believers.

In summary, greaves in the biblical context are a symbol of protection and preparedness in battle, both physically and spiritually. They remind believers of the importance of being equipped with the full armor of God to withstand the challenges and adversities of life.Greaves

a piece of defensive armor which reached from the foot to the knee and thus protected the shin of the wearer. It was made of leather or brass.

Only in 1 Samuel 17:6, a piece of defensive armour (q.v.) reaching from the foot to the knee; from French greve, "the shin." They were the Roman cothurni. (n. pl.) The sediment of melted tallow. It is made into cakes for dogs' food. In Scotland it is called cracklings.GREAVES

grevz.

See ARMOR, ARMS, IV, 4.

4697. mitschah -- greaves
... 4696, 4697. mitschah. 4698 . greaves. Transliteration: mitschah Phonetic
Spelling: (mits-khaw') Short Definition: greaves. Word ...
/hebrew/4697.htm - 6k

Letter G
... 1834 * Gray, Mark W. "Received 1836 * Gray, William P. "Received 1837 * Gray, William
M. "Received 1817, Located 1821 * Greaves, Hiram "Received 1833 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter g.htm

The Young Titus
... It seemed that the young Roman had stripped off his helmet, breast-plate and
greaves to ride less encumbered or to appear less warlike. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter ix the young titus.htm

Virgins are Called to the Imitation of the Church in the ...
... of the schemes and slanders of the beast, but bravely prepare for the battle, armed
with the helmet of salvation, [2743] and the breastplate, and the greaves. ...
/.../chapter xii virgins are called to.htm

Samson Conquered
... there the jaw-bone of an ass, he takes that ignoble weapon, and sweeps away the
men that had helmets about their heads and were girded with greaves of brass. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/samson conquered.htm

Ephesians vi. 14-17
... sense this was said. What then is its meaning? They are noble greaves,
doubtless, with which he invests us. Either then he means ...
/.../homily xxiv ephesians vi 14-17.htm

David's victory Over the Giant
... hundred and fifty pounds. He also had bronze greaves upon his legs and a
bronze back-plate between his shoulders. The shaft of his ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/davids victory over the giant.htm

If any one Supposes that this Want of Mutual Harmony Between his ...
... the wrong way, reversing the helmet so as to cover his face while the plume nodded
backward, putting his feet into the cuirass, and fitting the greaves on to ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xviii if any one.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... him weapons suitable to the largeness of his body, for he had a breastplate on that
weighed five thousand shekels: he had also a helmet and greaves of brass ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how the philistines.htm

For Other than This, that which Really is I Knew Not...
... As if in an armory, one ignorant of what were adapted to each part should cover
his head with greaves, or seek to be shod with a helmet, and complain that they ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vii for other than.htm

Breakfast with Mr. Whitefield
... this also. Mr. Greaves, being just ordained, came straight to the chapel,
and gave me the assistance I wanted. Thursday, 26."I ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/breakfast with mr whitefield.htm

Greaves (1 Occurrence)
...GREAVES. grevz. ...Greaves (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 17:6 And he had greaves of brass
upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. ...
/g/greaves.htm - 7k

Armor (53 Occurrences)
... IV. DEFENSIVE WEAPONS 1. Shield 2. Helmet 3. Coat of Mail 4. Greaves 5. Girdle
LITERATURE I. Armor in General-Old Testament. (maddim ...
/a/armor.htm - 41k

Arms (166 Occurrences)
... IV. DEFENSIVE WEAPONS 1. Shield 2. Helmet 3. Coat of Mail 4. Greaves 5. Girdle
LITERATURE I. Armor in General-Old Testament. (maddim ...
/a/arms.htm - 56k

Leg (24 Occurrences)
... (3) Reghel, literally, "foot" (which see), found in this sense only once: "He (Goliath)
had greaves of brass upon his legs" (1 Samuel 17:6). Two passages of ...
/l/leg.htm - 19k

Great-winged (2 Occurrences)
Great-winged. Greatness, Great-winged. Greaves . Multi-Version Concordance
Great-winged (2 Occurrences). ... Greatness, Great-winged. Greaves . Reference Bible
/g/great-winged.htm - 7k

Grecia (3 Occurrences)

/g/grecia.htm - 7k

Grave (128 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To clean, as a vessel's bottom, of barnacles, grass, etc., and pay it over
with pitch; -- so called because graves or greaves was formerly used for ...
/g/grave.htm - 37k

Target (14 Occurrences)
... Target (14 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 17:6 And he had greaves of brass upon his
legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. (KJV WBS). ...
/t/target.htm - 11k

Armour (32 Occurrences)
...Greaves, for the covering of the legs, were worn in the time of David (1 Samuel
17:6). Reference is made by Paul (Ephesians 6:14-17) to the panoply of a Roman ...
/a/armour.htm - 20k

Bronze (146 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Samuel 17:6 And he had greaves of bronze upon his legs, and
a javelin of bronze between his shoulders. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/bronze.htm - 37k

Was Goliath one of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.org

Greaves: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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