Greaves is a technical term referring to shin guards that protect the legs. They probably protected the front part of the lower legs. Some possible model translations include “he wore things on his legs to shield them,” “he covered his legs with metal to protect them,” or “he wore bronze protectors on his legs” (New Century Version). The Hebrew word on which the English greaves is based occurs only here in all the Old Testament.

A javelin was like a small spear that was thrown at the enemy. The variety of translations show that there is uncertainty about the exact meaning of the Hebrew word. New Century Version calls it “a small spear,” Revised English Bible says “a bronze dagger,” and New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and Anchor Bible call it a “bronze scimitar,” that is, a saber made of a curved blade, with the sharp edge on the outer convex side of the blade. Some support for the rendering “scimitar” comes from a passage in one of the Qumran writings. Further support for the rendering “scimitar” or “a curved sword” comes from verse 51 below, where it is said that David withdrew Goliath’s sword.

The javelin, or, more accurately, the scimitar, was slung between his shoulders, that is “tied on his back” (New Century Version). New American Bible uses a technical term here, “slung from a baldric.” A baldric is a belt worn over one shoulder to support a sword or bugle. If the receptor language has such an equivalent term, it may be used here.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .