Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.

Harness

1. Heb.'asar, "to bind;" hence the act of fastening animals to a cart (1 Sam. 6:7, 10; Jer. 46:4, etc.).
2. An Old English word for "armour;" Heb.neshek (2 Chr. 9:24).
3. Heb.shiryan, a coat of mail (1 Ki. 22:34; 2 Chr. 18:33; rendered "breastplate" in Isa. 59:17).
4. The children of Israel passed out of Egypt "harnessed" (Ex. 13:18), i.e., in an orderly manner, and as if to meet a foe. The word so rendered is probably a derivative from Hebrew hamesh (i.e., "five"), and may denote that they went up in five divisions, viz., the van, centre, two wings, and rear-guard.