(φυλακτήριον, a safeguard) was a name applied in general to any amulet or preservative against any kind of evil. The term was employed, in particular, to denote those strips of parchment worn by the Jews, and inscribed with particular passages of Scripture. (Deut. vi. 4-9; xi. 13-21; Exod. xiii. 1-10, 11-16.) These phylacteries were folded up, and inclosed in a small leather box, and worn upon the forehead, nearly between the eyes, or upon the left arm near to the heart, being attached by straps of leather. They were considered as thus reminding the wearers to fulfil the law with the head and heart.