(land of Aram) is nowhere mentioned under that name in the original Hebrew, though it occurs
in the English version, (2 Kings 19:37) for Ararat. Description.—Armenia is that lofty plateau
whence the rivers Euphrates, Tigris, Araxes and Acampsis pour down their waters in different
directions; the first two to the Persian Gulf, the last two respectively to the Caspian and Euxine
seas. It may be termed the nucleus of the mountain system of western Asia. From the centre of the
plateau rise two lofty chains of mountains, which run from east to west. Divisions.—Three districts
are mentioned in the Bible. (1) ARARAT is mentioned as the place whither the sons of Sennacherib
fled. (Isaiah 37:38) It was the central district, surrounding the mountain of that name. (2) Minni
only occurs in (Jeremiah 51:27) It is probably identical with the district Minyas, in the upper valley
of the Murad-su branch of the Euphrates. (3) Togarmah is noticed in two passages of (Ezekiel
27:14; 38:6) both of which are in favor of its identity with Armenia. Present condition.—The
Armenians, numbering about two millions, are nominally Christians. About half of them live in
Armenia. Their favorite pursuit is commerce. The country is divided, as to government, between
Russia, Turkey and Persia.—ED.
Armlet
an ornament universal in the East, especially among women; used by princes as one of the
insignia of royalty, and by distinguished persons in general. The word is not used in the Authorized
Version, as even in (2 Samuel 1:10) it is rendered by “the bracelet on his arm.”
Armoni
son of Saul by Rizpah. (2 Samuel 21:8)
Arms, Armor
The subject naturally divides itself into— I. Offensive weapons: Arms. II. Defensive weapons:
Armor. I. Offensive weapons.—
•Apparently the earliest known and most widely used was the Chereb or Sword. Very little can be
gathered as to its shape, size, material or mode of use. Perhaps if anything is to be inferred it is
that the Chereb is both a lighter and a shorter weapon than the modern sword. It was carried in a
sheath, (1 Samuel 17:51; 2 Samuel 20:8; 1 Chronicles 21:27) slung by a girdle, (1 Samuel 25:13)
and resting upon the thigh, (Psalms 45:3; Judges 3:16) or upon the hips. (2 Samuel 20:8)
•Next we have the Spear; and of this weapon we meet with at least three distinct kinds. A. The
Chanith, a “spear,” and that of the largest kind. It was the weapon of Goliath, (1 Samuel 17:7,45;
2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 20:5) and also of other giants, (2 Samuel 23:21; 1 Chronicles 11:23)
and mighty warriors. (2 Samuel 2:23; 23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:11,20) b. Apparently lighter than
the preceding was the Cidon or “javelin.” When not in action the Cidon was carried on the back
of the warrior, (1 Samuel 17:6) Authorized Version “target.” c. Another kind of spear was the
Romach. In the historical books it occurs in (Numbers 25:7) and 1Kin 18:28 And frequently in
the later books, as in (1 Chronicles 12:8) (“buckler”); (2 Chronicles 11:12) (It varied much in
length, weight and size.) d. The Shelach was probably a lighter missile or “dart.” see (2 Chronicles
23:10; 32:5) (“darts”); (Nehemiah 4:17,23) (see margin); (Job 33:18; 36:12; Joel 2:8) e. Shebet,
a rod or staff, is used once only to denote a weapon. (2 Samuel 18:14)
•Of missile weapons of offence the chief was undoubtedly the Bow, Kesheth. The Arrows were
carried in a quiver. (Genesis 27:3; Isaiah 22:6; 49:2; Psalms 127:5) From an allusion in Job 6:4
they would seem to have been some times poisoned; and (Psalms 120:4) may point to a practice
of using arrows with some burning material attached to them.
frankie
(Frankie)
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