Sacred Arms and Ritual Protection
Jewish priests carried weapons not only as a means to defend the Temple but also because carrying them had a sacred significance. The protection of the holy place was considered an integral part of their service, and the weapon became a kind of sacred possession—not intended for everyday military use, but for fulfilling ritual duties and guarding the cultic space.For example, one source states:"This was not a weapon in the worldly sense, not a practical tool of military technology, but rather a sacred belonging of this cultic, thoroughly and always cultic life; and therefore, unsheathing the sword, contrary to the convention, would be as dishonorable and even sinful..." (source: link txt).Another text also emphasizes that upon entering the temple, the clergy had to be girded and sanctified, underscoring the sacred status of the carried weapon used for ensuring the security of the cultic place:"...Weapons of a sacred status were sometimes worn by these guards. When the clergy reached the temple, they had to be girded and sanctified to perform their sacred tasks. These tasks especially included ensuring the security of the cultic space." (source: link txt).Thus, the weapon was not merely a tool of defense but acquired a special symbolic and sacred significance, reflecting the theocratic nature of service and the responsibility for protecting the holy space.