Definition and Purpose:
Helmets are protective headgear designed to safeguard the head during battle. In ancient times, helmets were typically made from materials such as bronze, iron, or leather, often reinforced with metal. They served as a crucial component of a soldier's armor, providing protection against blows to the head during combat.

Biblical References:
Helmets are mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of warfare and spiritual metaphor. They are part of the armor worn by soldiers and are also used symbolically to represent spiritual readiness and protection.

1. Physical Armor:
· In the Old Testament, helmets are part of the military attire. For instance, in 1 Samuel 17:5, Goliath is described as wearing a bronze helmet: "He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels."
· Similarly, King Saul provided David with his own armor, including a helmet, as described in 1 Samuel 17:38: "Then Saul clothed David with his own tunic, put a bronze helmet on his head, and dressed him in armor."

2. Spiritual Armor:
· The New Testament uses the helmet as a metaphor for spiritual protection. In Ephesians 6:17, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to "take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Here, the helmet symbolizes the assurance of salvation, protecting the mind from doubt and fear.
· Similarly, in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Paul writes, "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." The helmet represents the hope and assurance of salvation, guarding the believer's thoughts and encouraging steadfastness in faith.

Symbolism and Interpretation:
In biblical symbolism, the helmet represents protection and security, both physically and spiritually. It signifies the importance of safeguarding one's mind and thoughts against spiritual attacks. The helmet of salvation, as described by Paul, emphasizes the need for believers to be confident in their salvation and to protect their minds with the truth of God's promises.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, helmets were an essential part of a warrior's gear. They were often ornately designed, signifying rank and status. The use of helmets in biblical times reflects the broader military practices of the era, where head protection was vital for survival in battle.

Theological Significance:
Theologically, the helmet of salvation underscores the Christian belief in the security and assurance provided by faith in Jesus Christ. It highlights the importance of mental and spiritual preparedness in the life of a believer, encouraging Christians to remain vigilant and protected against spiritual adversities.

Conclusion:
Helmets in the Bible serve as both a practical element of ancient warfare and a powerful metaphor for spiritual protection. They remind believers of the importance of safeguarding their minds and hearts with the assurance of salvation and the truth of God's Word.3553. koba -- helmet
... Definition: helmet. Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition helmet
NASB Word Usage helmet (4), helmets (2). helmet. From an ...
/hebrew/3553.htm - 6k

The Armies Thus Approaching Each Other, Seemed on the Eve of a ...
... The soldiers of Licinius placed their shields on the ground, took off their helmets,
and, following the example of their leaders, stretched forth their hands ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xlvi the armies thus.htm

Of the Gods and Sacred Rites of the Barbarians.
... For because the Corybantes then drowned the cry of the boy by the tinkling of their
helmets and the striking of their shields, a representation of this ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiii of the gods and.htm

The Review of the Troops at Doriscus.
... Some were armed with brazen helmets, and coats of mail formed of plates of iron;
others wore linen tunics, or rude garments made of the skins of beasts. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter vi the review of.htm

Special Efforts
... At another corps she borrowed several firemen's helmets to be used in the Sunday's
meetings, presumably to draw attention to sin as a fire, a destroyer. ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/vi special efforts.htm

Of Certain Deities Peculiar to Barbarians, and their Sacred Rites ...
... Some strike their shields with stakes, some beat their empty helmets. This
is the employment of the Curetes, this of the Corybantes. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxi of certain deities peculiar.htm

Things that Accompany Salvation
... This Thundering Legion are clad in mail, their helmets wave with horror; their speech
is rough like men that come from a far country; their faces are terrible ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/things that accompany salvation.htm

The Death of Cyrus.
... They made, also, many ornaments and decorations of gold. These they attached
to their helmets, their belts, and their banners. They ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

The Fifth Commandment
... How happy was the reign of Numa Pompilius, when swords were beaten into
ploughshares, and bees made hives of the soldiers' helmets! ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... They carried spears and short broad swords like chopping knives. They wore helmets,
and many of them had wrappings tied round their legs. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

The Battle of Carchemish
... 1 Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle; Harness the horses,
and get up ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; Furbish the spears ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/viii the battle of carchemish.htm

Helmets (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Helmets (5 Occurrences). 2 Chronicles 26:14 Uzziah
prepared for them, even for all the army, shields, and ...
/h/helmets.htm - 7k

Arms (166 Occurrences)
... armor offensive and defensive of the Philistine Goliath (1 Samuel 17:5-7); and from
a much later time we read of shields and spears and helmets and habergeons ...
/a/arms.htm - 56k

Mail (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 26:14 Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields, and
spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging. ...
/m/mail.htm - 11k

Spears (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 26:14 Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields, and
spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging. ...
/s/spears.htm - 14k

Coats (29 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 26:14 Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields, and
spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging. ...
/c/coats.htm - 14k

Armor (53 Occurrences)
... armor offensive and defensive of the Philistine Goliath (1 Samuel 17:5-7); and from
a much later time we read of shields and spears and helmets and habergeons ...
/a/armor.htm - 41k

Helmet (10 Occurrences)

/h/helmet.htm - 10k

Uzzi'ah (26 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 26:14 And Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the host, shields,
and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging. ...
/u/uzzi'ah.htm - 13k

Javelins (5 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Jeremiah 46:4 Gird the horses, and go up, ye horsemen, And station
yourselves with helmets, Polish the javelins, put on the coats of mail. (YLT). ...
/j/javelins.htm - 7k

Furbish (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 46:4 Harness the horses, and get up, you horsemen, and stand forth with
your helmets; furbish the spears, put on the coats of mail. ...
/f/furbish.htm - 6k

What is the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17)? | GotQuestions.org

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