Question 1

What does "Target" mean in the King James Bible?

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Target" means "shield." Goliath's defensive armor. The target of brass between Goliath's shoulders was a small shield protecting his neck and upper back -- a piece of armor, not something David aimed at. Modern readers picture a bullseye on Goliath's back, which, while poetically fitting, reverses the meaning entirely.

Question 2

Why did the word "Target" disappear from modern English?

Accepted Answer

Shifted from 'a small shield/buckler' (Old French targette, diminutive of targe 'shield') to 'something aimed at,' inverting a word of defense into a word of attack. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by ~1750 (the 'shield' meaning died).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Target"?

Accepted Answer

"Target" was replaced by: "shield" (though this generic; target-as-shield was a specific type -- small, round, carried between the shoulders); "buckler" (though this also archaic; both words for small defensive shields faded from common use).

What Does “Target” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost