Habergeon

Habergeon is an Old English word denoting a short coat of mail or breastplate, used in older Bible translations for two distinct Hebrew terms. In Job 41:26 it renders a piece of armor that proves useless against the formidable hide of the Leviathan. In the Pentateuchal passages (Exodus 28:32; 39:23) it translates a term referring to the opening or collar of the high priest's robe, reinforced so that it would not tear—a garment feature ensuring the integrity of the sacred vestment during temple service.

The armor sense reflects the widespread use of scale or chain mail in the ancient Near East. Both Assyrian reliefs and Egyptian tomb paintings depict soldiers in short mail coats protecting the torso. The priestly application illustrates how the same term could span sacred and military contexts in the ancient world, with translators often choosing context-appropriate renderings.