smith's bible dictionary 1884 - Salt Lake Bible College

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
A
80