The term "habergeon" refers to a type of ancient body armor mentioned in the Bible, primarily used for protection in battle. It is generally understood to be a sleeveless coat of mail or a breastplate, designed to shield the wearer from weapons. The habergeon is an important piece of military equipment in biblical times, symbolizing preparedness and defense.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 28:32 : The habergeon is first mentioned in the context of the priestly garments. The description of the ephod, a sacred vestment worn by the high priest, includes a reference to a woven piece that should not be torn: "There shall be an opening at its top in the center, with a woven collar around the opening, like an opening in a garment, so that it will not tear." While the term "habergeon" is not directly used in this verse in the BSB, the concept of a protective, woven garment is present.

2. 2 Chronicles 26:14 : The habergeon is mentioned in the context of King Uzziah's military preparations: "Uzziah supplied the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and slingstones." Here, "armor" is understood to include the habergeon, highlighting its role in equipping soldiers for battle.

3. Nehemiah 4:16 : During the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, Nehemiah organized the workers to be both builders and defenders: "From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows, and armor." The mention of "armor" again implies the use of protective gear like the habergeon.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient warfare, the habergeon was a crucial element of a soldier's defense. Made from interlinked metal rings or scales, it provided flexibility and protection, allowing the wearer to move freely while being shielded from arrows, swords, and other weapons. The habergeon was typically worn over a tunic and under a heavier coat of mail or breastplate, offering an additional layer of defense.

The use of the habergeon in biblical times reflects the broader military practices of the ancient Near East, where armor was a vital component of a soldier's equipment. The Israelites, like their neighbors, adopted such protective gear to enhance their effectiveness in battle and to safeguard their warriors.

Symbolic Significance:

In a spiritual sense, the habergeon can be seen as a metaphor for the protection and preparedness that believers are called to embody. Just as the habergeon shields a soldier in physical combat, Christians are encouraged to "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) to stand firm against spiritual adversities. This armor includes truth, righteousness, faith, and salvation, which serve as divine protection in the believer's life.

The habergeon, therefore, not only represents physical defense but also serves as a reminder of the spiritual armor that God provides to His people, equipping them to face the challenges and battles of life with confidence and faith.An Old English word for breastplate. In Job 41:26 (Hebrews shiryah) it is properly a "coat of mail;" the Revised Version has "pointed shaft." In Exodus 28:32, 39:23, it denotes a military garment strongly and thickly woven and covered with mail round the neck and breast. Such linen corselets have been found in Egypt. The word used in these verses is tahra, which is of Egyptian origin. The Revised Version, however, renders it by "coat of mail." (see ARMOUR.) (n.) Properly, a short hauberk, but often used loosely for the hauberk.HABERGEON

hab'-er-jun, ha-bur'-jun, the King James Version (tachara'): In the Revised Version (British and American), Exodus 28:32; Exodus 39:23, etc., "coat of mail"; in Job 41:26, "pointed shaft," margin "coat of mail."

See ARMS, ARMOR.

8474. tacharah -- habergeon
... tacharah. 8475 . habergeon. Transliteration: tacharah Phonetic Spelling:
(takh-aw-raw') Short Definition: habergeon. Word Origin the same as charah, qv. ...
/hebrew/8474.htm - 5k

8302. shiryon -- body armor
... armor (1), breastplate (1), breastplates (1). breastplate, coat of mail,
habergeon, harness. Or shiryon {shir-yone'}; and shiryan ...
/hebrew/8302.htm - 6k

8473. tachra -- a corselet
... Tahpenes. From charah in the original sense of chuwr or chuwr; a linen corslet
(as white or hollow) -- habergeon. see HEBREW charah. see HEBREW chuwr. ...
/hebrew/8473.htm - 6k

A Sermon Made by M. Hugh Latimer, at the Time of the Insurrection ...
... "And be ye apparelled or clothed," saith Paul, "with the habergeon or coat-armour
of justice, that is, righteousness." Let your body be clothed in the armour ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon made by m.htm

To Gregory xi
... Piers in this place?' quoth I: and he winked at me," 'This Jesus of His gentrice
will joust in Piers' armes, In his helme and in his habergeon, humana natura ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to gregory xi 2.htm

The History of Saul
... host of the Philistines a great giant named Goliath of Gath; he was six cubits high
and a palm, and a helmet of brass on his head, and was clad in a habergeon. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Because Thou Hast Forsaken the Solace and the Joy of this World...
... Therefore eat little, and feeble meat; and drink less, the thinnest drink is good
enough to thee. Reck not of sleep: wear the hair-shirt and the habergeon. ...
/.../chapter ii because thou hast.htm

Mercy's Master Motive
... "The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the
habergeon; the arrow cannot make him see; he laugheth at the shaking of a spear ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/mercys master motive.htm

Joseph Attacked by the Archers
... Mightier than giants are men of the race of heaven; should they once arouse themselves
to battle they could laugh at the spear and the habergeon. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/joseph attacked by the archers.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

Habergeon (3 Occurrences)
... the hauberk. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HABERGEON. hab'-er ... ARMS, ARMOR.
Multi-Version Concordance Habergeon (3 Occurrences). Exodus 28 ...
/h/habergeon.htm - 8k

Border (233 Occurrences)
... 28:32 and the opening for its head hath been in its midst, a border is to its opening
round about, work of a weaver, as the opening of a habergeon there is to ...
/b/border.htm - 40k

Weaver (11 Occurrences)
... 28:32 and the opening for its head hath been in its midst, a border is to its opening
round about, work of a weaver, as the opening of a habergeon there is to ...
/w/weaver.htm - 9k

Rend (35 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Exodus 39:23 And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole
of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend. ...
/r/rend.htm - 18k

Brigandine (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Jeremiah 46:4; 51:3), an obsolete English word denoting
a scale coat of armour, or habergeon, worn by light-armed "brigands." The ...
/b/brigandine.htm - 7k

Attacketh (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Attacketh (1 Occurrence). Job 41:26 The sword of him that
attacketh him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. (WBS). ...
/a/attacketh.htm - 6k

Armour (32 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/a/armour.htm - 20k

Habazzini'ah (1 Occurrence)
Habazzini'ah. Habazziniah, Habazzini'ah. Habergeon . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Habazziniah, Habazzini'ah. Habergeon . Reference Bible.
/h/habazzini'ah.htm - 6k

Habergeons (2 Occurrences)

/h/habergeons.htm - 7k

Upper (99 Occurrences)
... Exodus 39:23 and the opening of the upper robe 'is' in its midst, as the opening
of a habergeon, a border 'is' to its opening round about, it is not rent; (YLT ...
/u/upper.htm - 39k

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