An armory in biblical times was a place designated for the storage and maintenance of weapons and military equipment. The concept of an armory is mentioned several times throughout the Bible, reflecting the importance of military preparedness in ancient Israel and surrounding nations.

Biblical References:

1. Solomon's Armory:
King Solomon, known for his wisdom and wealth, also maintained a well-equipped military. In 1 Kings 10:16-17, the Bible describes Solomon's armory: "King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. The king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon." This passage highlights the opulence and strategic importance of Solomon's armory, which was housed in the House of the Forest of Lebanon, a significant structure in Jerusalem.

2. The Armory of David:
King David, Solomon's father, also had an armory. In Nehemiah 3:19, during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, the text mentions "the armory at the angle." This indicates that David's armory was strategically located within the city, likely to ensure quick access to weapons in times of need.

3. The Armory of the House of the Forest:
Isaiah 22:8-9 provides insight into the armory's role during times of crisis: "He removed the defense of Judah. On that day you looked to the weapons in the House of the Forest. You saw that the breaches in the walls of the City of David were many; you collected water from the lower pool." This passage suggests that the armory was a critical resource during military threats, and its contents were essential for the defense of Jerusalem.

4. Symbolic Use:
The concept of an armory is also used metaphorically in the Bible. In Jeremiah 50:25, the Lord's power and judgment are described in terms of an armory: "The LORD has opened His armory and brought out the weapons of His wrath, for the Lord GOD of Hosts has a work to do in the land of the Chaldeans." Here, the armory symbolizes divine power and the execution of God's judgment against Babylon.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient Israel, armories were vital for national security. They were typically located in fortified cities or strategic locations to ensure the rapid deployment of weapons and troops. The presence of an armory signified a city's strength and readiness to defend itself against enemies. Armories contained various weapons, including swords, spears, shields, and bows, reflecting the military technology of the time.

The construction and maintenance of armories were often overseen by the king or military leaders, emphasizing their importance in national defense. The armory's role extended beyond mere storage; it was a symbol of a nation's military capability and a deterrent against potential aggressors.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the armory serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual preparedness. Just as physical armories were essential for the defense of ancient cities, believers are called to equip themselves with spiritual armor. Ephesians 6:11-17 exhorts Christians to "put on the full armor of God" to stand firm against spiritual adversaries. This passage draws a parallel between physical and spiritual readiness, underscoring the importance of vigilance and reliance on God's strength.

In summary, the concept of an armory in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, reflecting the necessity of preparedness and the reliance on divine provision for protection and victory.1. (n.) A place where weapons and instruments of war are kept; an arsenal;

2. (n.) Armor; defensive and offensive arms.

3. (n.) A manufactory of arms, as rifles, muskets, pistols, bayonets, swords.

4. (n.) Ensigns armorial; armorial bearings.

5. (n.) That branch of heraldry which treats of coat armor.

ARMORY

ar'-mer-i:

(1) ('otsar; thesauros): A storehouse (1 Kings 7:51 Nehemiah 10:38), but employed figuratively of the stored-up anger of Yahweh which breaks forth in judgments (Jeremiah 50:25).

(2) (nesheq): Identical with Solomon's "house of the forest of Lebanon," the arsenal close to the temple (1 Kings 10:17 Nehemiah 3:19 Isaiah 22:8), in which were stored the shields and targets of beaten gold.

(3) (talpiyoth): A puzzling word rendered "armory" in our versions (Songs 4:4)-"the tower of David builded for an armory, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men." the Revised Version margin renders "builded with turrets."

T. Nicol.

214. otsar -- treasure, store, a treasury, storehouse
... Word Origin from atsar Definition treasure, store, a treasury, storehouse NASB Word
Usage armory (1), cellars (1), gains (1), storehouse (3), storehouses (13 ...
/hebrew/214.htm - 6k

8530. talpiyyoth -- perhaps weapons
... armory. Feminine from an unused root meaning to tower; something tall, ie (plural
collective) slenderness -- armoury. 8529, 8530. talpiyyoth. 8531 . ...
/hebrew/8530.htm - 6k

5402. nesheq -- equipment, weapons
... weapons. Word Origin from nashaq Definition equipment, weapons NASB Word
Usage armory (1), battle (1), weapon (1), weapons (7). armed ...
/hebrew/5402.htm - 6k

1004. bayith -- a house
... root Definition a house NASB Word Usage armory* (1), beneath (1), Beth-ashbea*
(1), Beth-togarmah* (2), between* (2), boxes (1), buildings (2), daughter (1 ...
/hebrew/1004.htm - 7k

3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... Word Origin from kalah Definition an article, utensil, vessel NASB Word Usage armor
(24), armory* (1), article (10), articles (30), bag (2), baggage (12), bags ...
/hebrew/3627.htm - 6k

The Origin of Species.
... to show that its author is no better than an ape himself; while every philosophical
thinker hails it as a veritable Whitworth gun in the armory of liberalism ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xii the origin of species.htm

Ezra, the Praying Reformer
... Prayer is the mightiest instrument in our armory, and if we are to use it as God
has given the encouragement, we must do everything in our power to bring it ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/vii ezra the praying reformer.htm

The Great Reservoir
... I might then urge the necessity of keeping the heart because it is the metropolis
of our manhood, the citadel and armory of our humanity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the great reservoir.htm

The Great Reservoir
... I might then urge the necessity of keeping the heart, because it is the metropolis
of our manhood, the citadel and armory of our humanity. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the great reservoir.htm

Chapter iv.
... Thy cheeks are like a piece of pomegranate, besides that which is hidden
within.4. Thy neck is like the tower of David, builded for an armory, whereon there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter iv.htm

How Athaliah Reigned Over Jerusalem for Five [Six] Years when ...
... Jehoiada also opened that armory which David had made in the temple, and distributed
to the captains of hundreds, as also to the priests and Levites, all the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how athaliah reigned.htm

How Hezekiah was Sick, and Ready to Die; and How God Bestowed Upon ...
... So he received the ambassadors gladly, and made them a feast, and showed them his
treasures, and his armory, and the other wealth he was possessed of, in ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how hezekiah was.htm

For Other than This, that which Really is I Knew Not...
... As if in an armory, one ignorant of what were adapted to each part should cover
his head with greaves, or seek to be shod with a helmet, and complain that they ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vii for other than.htm

On the Coming of Our Lord in the Flesh; Its Nature and Cause.
... And I am able to oppose no feeble buckler against the deadly weapons of Satan's
armory; I mean the knowledge I possess of those things which are pleasing to him ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xi on the coming of.htm

Preface by the Translator.
... a broad field. In the great armory of the Reformation-writings, scarcely
another deserves a more conspicuous place. It presents ...
/.../preface by the translator.htm

Armory (5 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) That branch of heraldry which treats of coat armor. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ARMORY. ... Multi-Version Concordance Armory (5 Occurrences). ...
/a/armory.htm - 9k

Armour (32 Occurrences)

/a/armour.htm - 20k

Treasurer (6 Occurrences)
... 2. Storehouse: "Storehouse," not the thing stored but the place of storage; 'otsar
means depository, cellar, garner, armory, store or treasure-house. ...
/t/treasurer.htm - 17k

Treasure (66 Occurrences)
... 2. Storehouse: "Storehouse," not the thing stored but the place of storage; 'otsar
means depository, cellar, garner, armory, store or treasure-house. ...
/t/treasure.htm - 36k

Treasury (25 Occurrences)
... 2. Storehouse: "Storehouse," not the thing stored but the place of storage; 'otsar
means depository, cellar, garner, armory, store or treasure-house. ...
/t/treasury.htm - 27k

Turrets (3 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Song of Songs 4:4 Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armory,
Whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, All the shields of the mighty men. ...
/t/turrets.htm - 7k

Ezer (10 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:19 Next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah,
another portion, over against the ascent to the armory at the turning of the ...
/e/ezer.htm - 11k

Arsenal (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:25 Yahweh has opened his armory, and has brought forth the weapons of
his indignation; for the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, has a work to do in the land ...
/a/arsenal.htm - 7k

Armor-bearers (2 Occurrences)
Armor-bearers. Armorbearers, Armor-bearers. Armory . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV NIV). Armorbearers, Armor-bearers. Armory . Reference Bible.
/a/armor-bearers.htm - 6k

Shields (44 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Song of Songs 4:4 Your neck is like David's tower built for an armory,
whereon a thousand shields hang, all the shields of the mighty men. ...
/s/shields.htm - 19k

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