Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Shield-bearer 1 Samuel 17:41
Date: Fri, 02 Jul 2004 14:22:47 -0500
----- Original Message -----
From: RGmyrken AT aol.com
Russell:
This is interesting. We know that later after David became king, his troops
were called “hoplites” הפלתי which I opined is
a Philistine loan word into Hebrew. Apparently the Philistines were not only
armed with steel while most of their foes still had bronze, if anything, but
that they also developed battle tactics that were so good that the Greeks
were still using them centuries later. A downside is that those tactics
required an almost full-time army, hence a Philistine need for vassel nations
giving tribute to maintain their armies.
It is known that much of Greek civilization was copied from other sources in
the Levant, it would not surprise me that this is one more copy into Greek
society.
Karl W. Randolph.
> Dear Brian,
>
> I Sam. 17:41 clearly reflects Hellenistic hoplight military tactics, in
> which a shield-bearer was standard. The description of Goliath's weaponry
> is
> also consistent with such an interpretation. Please see any standard work
> on
> the Hellenistic armies.
>
> Best regards,
> Russell Gmirkin
>
> > My confusion is based on how it could have worked that two of them would
> > be approaching David. I understand the idea of an armour-bearer to carry
> > weapons etc. for a warrior, but surely when he is actually going to
> > battle the armour-bearer then gives the armour to the warrior.
> >
> >
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