Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 17:6
And [he had] greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.
6. greaves ] Armour for the legs and feet: from Fr. grve, ‘the shin.’ “Greaves” from the Assyrian monuments are figured in Layard’s Nineveh II. 337. The following passage from Philemon Holland’s translation of Pliny’s Nat. Hist. VII. 20, quoted in the Bible Word-Book, illustrates both the matter and the language:
“My selfe haue seene one named Athanatus do wonderful strange matters in the open shew and face of the world, namely to walke his stations vpon the stage with a cuirace of lead weighing 500 pound [= 360 lbs. avoirdupois], booted besides with a pair of buskins or greiues (cothurni) about his legges that came to as much in weight.”
brass ] The word translated brass means copper in such passages as Deu 8:9, where a natural metal is spoken of. In some instances the compound metal bronze (copper and tin) may be meant, but brass (copper and zinc) was unknown to the ancients.
a target ] Rather, a javelin, which was slung across his shoulders, as the Greeks sometimes carried their swords (Hom. Il. II. 45).Roman soldiers were often similarly armed with both pilum (javelin) and hasta (spear). The E. V. follows the Sept. and Vulg. in rendering “target,” i.e. a kind of small shield. The marginal rendering “gorget,” = “a piece of armour for the throat,” from Fr. gorge, has nothing in its favour.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
A target … – Rather, a javelin. as in 1Sa 17:45, and placed between the shoulders, as the quiver was.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. Greaves of brass upon his legs] This species of armour may be seen on many ancient monuments. It was a plate of brass (though perhaps sometimes formed of laminae or plates, like the mail) which covered the shin or fore part of the leg, from the knee down to the instep, and was buckled with straps behind the leg. From ancient monuments we find that it was commonly worn only on one leg. VEGETIUS, de Re Militari, says, Pedites Scutati etiam ferreas ocreas in dextris cruribus copebantur accipere. “The foot soldiers, called Scutati, from their particular species of shield, were obliged to use iron greaves on their right legs.” One of these may be seen in the monument of the gladiator Buto, in Montfaucon; and another in the Mosaic pavement at Bognor, in Surrey.
A target of brass between his shoulders.] When not actually engaged, soldiers threw their shields behind their back, so that they appeared to rest or hang between the shoulders.
There are different opinions concerning this piece of armour, called here kidon. Some think it was a covering for the shoulders; others, that it was a javelin or dart; others, that it was a lance; some, a club; and others, a sword. It is certainly distinguished from the shield, 1Sa 17:41, and is translated a spear, Jos 8:18.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
6. greaves of brassboots,terminating at the ankle, made in one plate of metal, but round tothe shape of the leg, and often lined with felt or sponge. They wereuseful in guarding the legs, not only against the spikes of theenemy, but in making way among thorns and briers.
a target of brassacircular frame, carried at the back, suspended by a long belt whichcrossed the breast from the shoulders to the loins.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he had greaves of brass upon his legs,…. Which were a sort of boots, or leg harnesses, which covered the thighs and legs down to the heels; such as Iolaus k and the Grecians usually wore, as described by Homer; which are supposed to be double the weight of the helmet, reckoned at fifteen pounds, so that these must weigh thirty pounds of avoirdupois weight:
and a target of brass between his shoulders; the Targum is,
“a spear or shield of brass, which came out of the helmet, and a weight of brass upon his shoulders.”
Jarchi says the same, and that it was in the form of a spear to defend the neck from the sword; it seems to be a corslet of brass, worn between the helmet and the coat of mail for the defence of the neck, supposed to weigh thirty pounds l
k Hesiod. Scutum Herc. ver. 122. l Vid. Hostii Monomach. David & Goliath, c. 5.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
6. Greaves of brass upon his legs Rather, upon his feet. These were shin covers bound by thongs around and above the ankles. Among the ancient Greeks they were elastic behind, and extended upward above the knees.
Target Margin, gorget. This word is elsewhere variously translated shield, (1Sa 17:45, and Job 39:23😉 spear, (Jos 8:18; Jos 8:26; Job 41:29; Jer 6:23😉 lance, (Jer 50:42.)
The word is best translated spear, and this Goliath carried between his shoulders, that is, slung upon his back, as the ancients often carried their heavy swords. (Homer, Iliad, book 2:45.) So Josephus understood it: “His spear was such as was not carried like a light thing in his right hand, but he carried it as lying on his shoulders.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 17:6 And [he had] greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.
Ver. 6. And he had greaves (or leg-harness) of brass.] So that he was substantially armed cap-a-pie, head to foot as they say, and might seem to be a walking armory.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
target. Hebrew. kedon, a small shield. Translated “shield “in 1Sa 17:45.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
target of brass: or, gorget, 1Ki 10:16, 2Ch 9:15
Reciprocal: Jos 8:18 – the spear