שִׁרְיָה (sir.yah)
sir.yah
lance; armor
H:N-M/FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M/F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun siryah refers to protective gear, specifically body armor or a coat of mail. While some scholars suggest it might originally denote a weapon like a lance or javelin, the biblical usage consistently points to defensive plating worn by warriors. This distinction highlights the word’s primary function: shielding the soldier from harm in close combat.
Its appearance across six verses underscores the reality of ancient warfare. In 1 Samuel, it describes the heavy armor worn by Philistine champions, emphasizing their physical superiority and intimidation factor. Similarly, in Isaiah and Chronicles, the term illustrates the formidable preparation of armies, serving as a tangible symbol of military might and the seriousness of conflict.
The variation in spelling between siryah and siryon, noted in Job 41:18 regarding Leviathan’s scales, shows lexical flexibility within the same semantic field. Translators typically render it as "armor" or "coat of mail," capturing the image of interlocking plates designed to deflect blows rather than strike them.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word siryah describes the heavy coat of mail worn by ancient warriors, designed to shield them from harm in close combat. In the stories of David and Goliath, this armor was so massive it seemed impossible to wear, yet it represented the Philistines' confidence in their physical strength. It serves as a stark reminder that human protection relies on visible, tangible defenses.
Isaiah 59:17 offers a different perspective by describing God Himself putting on righteousness as a breastplate. This imagery shifts the focus from metal plates to spiritual integrity. It suggests that true safety comes not from external shields, but from inner moral strength and divine presence.
For your faith, this word invites reflection on what you rely on for security. While we may appreciate practical preparations, the biblical narrative consistently points toward a deeper source of protection. Trusting in God's righteousness provides a stability that no amount of bronze or iron can match.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ body armor3×
- like <the>/ body armor1×
- body armor1×
- and/ body armor<s>1×
- and/ body armor of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שִּׁרְיָ֑ן2×
- שִׁרְיֽוֹן\׃1×
- כַּ/שִּׁרְיָ֔ן1×
- וְ/שִׁרְיֹנ֖וֹת1×
- וְ/שִׁרְי֥וֹן1×
- הַ/שִּׁרְי֔וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 17:5
He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he wore a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.
This verse highlights the sheer weight and intimidation factor of Goliath's armor, emphasizing his physical superiority over Israel.
-
I Samuel 17:38
Saul dressed David with his clothing. He put a helmet of bronze on his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail.
Saul’s attempt to dress David in this armor illustrates the inadequacy of human protection when facing spiritual battles without faith.
-
Isaiah 59:17
He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head. He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle.
Here the term is used metaphorically for righteousness, showing that God’s moral integrity serves as the ultimate protective shield.