Bible dictionaries

Artillery

What Bible dictionaries say about “Artillery”, one article after the other.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary & Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Artillery - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

1 Sam. 20:40, (Heb. keli, meaning "apparatus;" here meaning collectively any missile weapons, as arrows and lances. In Revised Version, "weapons"). This word is derived from the Latin artillaria = equipment of war.

Artillery - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

ARTIL'LERY, n. This word has no plural.

1. In a general sense, offensive weapons of war. Hence it was formerly used for bows and arrows.

And Jonathan gave his artillery to his lad. 1 Sam 20.

But in present usage, appropriately,

2. Canon; great guns; ordinance, including guns, mortars and grenades, with their furniture of carriages, balls, bombs and shot of all kinds.

3. In a more extended sense, the word includes powder, cartridges, matches, utensils, machines of all kinds, and horses that belong to a train of artillery.

4. The men who manage cannon and mortars, including matrosses, gunners, bombardiers, cannoniers, or by whatever name they are called, with the officers, engineers and persons who supply the artillery with implements and materials.

Matthew George Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary; Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language (1828)

The article in Easton + Webster 1828

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE 1915)

ar-til'-er-i (keli): In 1Sa 20:40 (the King James Version) of Jonathan's bow and arrows, replaced in the Revised Version (British and American) by WEAPONS; and in 1 Macc 6:51 (the King James Version) where the Greek words are translated in the Revised Version (British and American) "instruments for casting fire and stones."

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia — James Orr, general editor and contributors; CrossWire SWORD module ISBE 2.2

The article in ISBE 1915