HARNESS

(1.) Heb. 'asar, "to bind;" hence the act of fastening animals to a cart (1-Sam 6:7, 1-Sam 6: 10; Jer. 46:4, Jer. 46: etc.).

(2.) An Old English word for "armour;" Heb. neshek (2-Chr 9:24).

(3.) Heb. shiryan, a coat of mail (1-Kings 22:34; 2-Chr 18:33; rendered "breastplate" in Isa. 59:17).

(4.) The children of Israel passed out of Egypt "harnessed" (Exo 13:18), i.e., in an orderly manner, and as if to meet a foe. The word so rendered is probably a derivative from Hebrew _hamesh_ (i.e., "five"), and may denote that they went up in five divisions, viz., the van, centre, two wings, and rear-guard.