Used in defensive warfare, varying at different times and under different circumstances in size, form, and material ( 1 Samuel 17:7 ; 2 Samuel 1:21 ; 1 Kings 10:17 ; 1 Chronicles 12:8,24,34 ; Isaiah 22:6 ; Ezekiel 39:9 ; Nahum 2:3 ). Used figuratively of God and of earthly princes as the defenders of their people ( Genesis 15:1 ; Deuteronomy 33:29 ; Psalm 33:20 ; 84:11 ). Faith is compared to a shield ( Ephesians 6:16 ). Shields were usually "anointed" ( Isaiah 21:5 ), in order to preserve them, and at the same time make the missiles of the enemy glide off them more easily.
Source
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source-manifest/easton— Easton's Bible Dictionary (PD)