western Asia lying between the Caspian and the Black Sea. Here the ark of
Noah rested after the Deluge (Genesis 8:4). It is for the most part high
table-land, and is watered by the Aras, the Kur, the Euphrates, and the
Tigris. Ararat was properly the name of a part of ancient Armenia. Three
provinces of Armenia are mentioned in Jeremiah 51:27, Ararat, Minni, and
Ashchenaz. Some, however, think Minni a contraction for Armenia. (See
ARARAT.)
- ARMONI inhabitant of a fortress, the first-named of the two sons of Saul
and Rizpah. He was delivered up to the Gibeonites by David, and hanged
by them (2 Samuel 21:8, 9). - ARMOUR is employed in the English Bible to denote military
equipment, both offensive and defensive.
(1.) The offensive weapons were different at different periods of history.
The “rod of iron” (Psalm 2:9) is supposed to mean a mace or crowbar, an
instrument of great power when used by a strong arm. The “maul”
(Proverbs 25:18; cognate Hebrew word rendered “battle-axe” in Jeremiah
51:20, and “slaughter weapon” in Ezekiel 9:2) was a war-hammer or
martel. The “sword” is the usual translation of hereb, which properly
means “poniard.” The real sword, as well as the dirk-sword (which was
always double-edged), was also used (1 Samuel 17:39; 2 Samuel 20:8; 1
Kings 20:11). The spear was another offensive weapon (Joshua 8:18; 1
Samuel 17:7). The javelin was used by light troops (Numbers 25:7, 8; 1
Samuel 13:22). Saul threw a javelin at David (1 Samuel 19:9, 10), and so
virtually absolved him from his allegiance. The bow was, however, the
chief weapon of offence. The arrows were carried in a quiver, the bow
being always unbent till the moment of action (Genesis 27:3; 48:22; Psalm
18:34). The sling was a favourite weapon of the Benjamites (1 Samuel
17:40; 1 Chronicles 12:2. Comp. 1 Samuel 25:29).
(2.) Of the defensive armour a chief place is assigned to the shield or
buckler. There were the great shield or target (the tzinnah), for the
protection of the whole person (Genesis 15:1; Psalm 47:9; 1 Samuel 17:7;
Proverbs 30:5), and the buckler (Hebrews mageen) or small shield (1 Kings
10:17; Ezekiel 26:8). In Psalm 91:4 “buckler” is properly a roundel
appropriated to archers or slingers. The helmet (Ezekiel 27:10; 1 Samuel
17:38), a covering for the head; the coat of mail or corselet (1 Samuel 17:5),
or habergeon (Nehemiah 4;16), harness or breat-plate (Revelation 9:9), for