Jewish studies of warfare and conquest show a variety of weapons in ancient Jewish times. Archaeological finds, drawings and paintings show that there were three basic types of offensive weapons in ancient Jewish times used by the Jews or their enemies. The sword, dagger or spear were the weapons of choice for short-range, hand-to-hand combat. For medium-range combat, the spear was occasionally used but the lighter javelin was preferred by combatants. The sling and the bow were used for long-range battle.

The standard sword of ancient Jewish times was known as a “sickle sword” and was effective for slashing but not for thrusting or stabbing. It was also difficult to hide because of its design. Consequently, for his assassination attempt described in Judges 3:16, Ehud fabricated a foot and a half long double-edged sword which he could conceal in his clothing.

Stories in the Bible about ancient Jewish times reveal that many of the weapons used were improvised. Shamgar in Judges 3:31 used an ox goad to kill 600 enemies. A farm implement about two or three meters long, the ox goad was used to prod the ox when a person was plowing. Jael in Judges 4:21 used a hammer to pound a tent peg into her enemy’s skull while he was asleep. A woman dropped a millstone on the head of the invading Abimelech in Judges 9:50. Samson used the jawbone of a donkey like a club according to Judges 15:15.

For protection, armor was used consisting of a helmet, coat of mail, breastplate and greaves. A shield was employed to protect the exposed parts of the body and ward off incoming missiles. A soldier could employ an armor bearer to carry his armor and shield to battle. The armor bearer was also tasked to kill his master if the latter was severely wounded in combat. The enemies of the Jews had the advantage of iron chariots which had a devastating effect in open plains. The Jews made extensive use of guerilla tactics in the heavily forested hill country to offset this.

Finally, when nothing else was available for a warrior in ancient Jewish times, he had to resort to his bare hands. To escape from a trap, Samson pulled up the gates of the city and in his final moments pushed the columns of a temple to send it crashing down on himself and his enemies. Jewish studies of ancient Jewish times certainly turn up a lot of unconventional weapons.