Topical Bible: Shield: Painted Red

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In biblical times, the shield was an essential piece of military equipment, providing protection in battle. Shields were often made of wood and covered with leather, which could be soaked in water to extinguish flaming arrows. The practice of painting shields, particularly in red, is mentioned in the Bible and holds symbolic significance.

The reference to shields painted red is found in the book of Nahum, which describes the impending destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Nahum 2:3 states, "The shields of his warriors are red; the valiant men are dressed in scarlet. The chariots flash with steel in the day of their preparation; the cypress spears are brandished." This vivid imagery serves to convey the might and readiness of the attacking forces, as well as the impending doom for Nineveh.

The color red in the context of warfare often symbolizes blood, violence, and the ferocity of battle. The red shields of the warriors in Nahum's prophecy could signify their readiness to shed blood and their determination to achieve victory. The use of red may also have been intended to intimidate the enemy, as the sight of a vast army with red shields would have been a formidable and fearsome spectacle.

In the broader biblical narrative, the shield is frequently used metaphorically to represent God's protection and faithfulness. For instance, Psalm 18:2 declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Here, the shield symbolizes divine protection and the assurance of safety under God's care.

The concept of a shield painted red, while primarily a literal description of military equipment, can also be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual battles faced by believers. Just as the red shields in Nahum's prophecy were a sign of readiness for physical battle, Christians are called to be prepared for spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:16 instructs believers to "take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." The shield of faith, like the red shields of old, is a crucial defense against the attacks of the enemy.

In summary, the image of shields painted red in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of military might, readiness for battle, and the bloodshed that accompanies warfare. It also provides a rich metaphorical framework for understanding the spiritual protection and preparedness required of believers in their walk of faith.

Nave's Topical Index

Nahum 2:3
The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Canaan
... Their beard and eye-brows are painted red, their hair a light red-brown, while their ...
of leather, while their arms consist of a small round shield with two ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... its use is not uncommon on ancient altars; Servius describes a shield dedicated
on ... same material was the statue of the god, with the face painted red, and the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

The Dream of St. Ursula
... doubly-arched windows, the arches being painted crimson round ... wreathed and branched,
carrying a canopy of warm red. The princess's shield is at the head of it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ruskin/saint ursula/ii the dream of st.htm

The Tournament at Constantinople.
... On his shield was portrayed a silver griffin rampant ... Fistycuff, was pictured, on
a blood-red field, a ... Rome, while the British were painted barbarians, unknown ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter twelve the tournament at.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... of richer and finer materials, dyed red or blue ... them with the geometrical decoration
of painted cones on ... no cuirass, but carried a rectangular shield, and, in ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

Christ Triumphant
... Let that be your shield and buckler and rest assured ... the street returning from their
blood-red fields of ... And after these, large painted emblems of the great ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christ triumphant.htm

Under Ban of the Ritual
... pike and falchion, bull-hide shield and helmet ... unpolished and its lack-luster red
harmonized wonderfully ... These were elaborate and beautiful, painted and paneled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ii under ban of.htm

The American Experiments, 1734-1762.
... door; and there stood a band of painted Indians, with ... Above all, he loved the
red-brown Indians themselves. ... and brave, and that God would ever shield him with ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiv the american experiments.htm

Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists
... and red, in a county of red bricks and curly red tiles ... knew by heart the beauties
of the thin iron pillars painted by some ... I have a shield shall quell their rage ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/hymns for the use of.htm

The Best Beloved
... in his case, as Apelles did when he painted his hero. ... sharp arrows of slander fall
blunted from the shield of his ... on a day when your eyes were red with weeping ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/the best beloved.htm