The term "harnessed" in the biblical context primarily refers to the organization and preparation of the Israelites as they departed from Egypt. This concept is rooted in the narrative of the Exodus, where the Israelites left Egypt in a structured and orderly manner, ready for the journey ahead.

Exodus 13:18 · "So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle."

In this passage, the phrase "arrayed for battle" is often translated as "harnessed" in other versions of the Bible. The Hebrew word used here is "חֲמֻשִׁים" (chamushim), which can mean armed or organized in ranks. This indicates that the Israelites were not leaving in a chaotic or haphazard manner but were instead prepared and equipped for the journey and potential conflicts they might face.

The concept of being "harnessed" also implies a sense of readiness and discipline. The Israelites, having been slaves in Egypt, were now being transformed into a people prepared for the challenges of the wilderness and the eventual conquest of the Promised Land. This preparation was not merely physical but also spiritual, as they were to rely on God's guidance and provision throughout their journey.

Theologically, the idea of being "harnessed" can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian life. Just as the Israelites were organized and prepared for their journey, Christians are called to be spiritually prepared and equipped for the challenges of life. This involves putting on the "full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) and being ready to stand firm in faith.

In the broader biblical narrative, the concept of being harnessed underscores the importance of order, preparation, and reliance on divine guidance. It reflects a transition from bondage to freedom, from chaos to order, and from reliance on human strength to dependence on God's power and provision.(imp. & p. p.) of Harness.2571. chamushim -- in battle array
... armed men, harnessed. Passive participle of the same as chomesh; staunch, ie
Able-bodied soldiers -- armed (men), harnessed. see HEBREW chomesh. 2570, 2571. ...
/hebrew/2571.htm - 6k

Mahanaim: the Two Camps
... behind him, as you may see the Arab caravans streaming over the same uplands
to-day, all at once, in the middle of his march, a bright-harnessed army of angels ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mahanaim the two camps.htm

The Next Morning, Diamond's Mother Said to his Father...
... hungry. He had groomed both horses, and had got old Diamond harnessed ready
to put to. "Think of a fat angel, Dulcimer!" said Diamond. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 33 the next morning.htm

Man and Machinery.
... the application of the most majestic and subtle constituents of the universe to
the most familiar uses; the wild forces of matter have been caught and harnessed ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse ii man and machinery.htm

Discipline
... of you must have seen"all may see"that noble picture of Israel in Egypt which now
hangs in the Royal Academy; in which the Hebrews, harnessed like beasts ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon i discipline.htm

The Completeness of the Bible Demonstrates Its Divine Perfection
... Through the centuries of the Christian era, man has succeeded in learning many of
the secrets of nature and has harnessed her forces to his service, but in the ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter ten the completeness of.htm

Choosing the Tens
... by the slowly rising structures on either side, were low-riding, long, heavy,
dwarf-wheeled vehicles and sledges to which men, not beasts, had been harnessed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter i choosing the tens.htm

The Narwhal
... Over the boundless deserts of snow they are borne rapidly along by their faithful
dogs, which are harnessed to a sledge, six or seven to the team, and which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /the narwhal.htm

Ploughing in Canaan.
... And the long handles with which our labourers guide their ploughs"where are they?
The strong horses, too, harnessed one behind the other, are missing. Yes! ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/ploughing in canaan.htm

The Spirit Switchboard.
... Some of the laws of its being have been learned, and so its marvellous power
harnessed for man's use, but in much ignorance of what it is. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/the spirit switchboard.htm

The Angel in the Tomb
... Who can count the numbers of these 'bright-harnessed angels,' sometimes more, sometimes
less, flickering and fluttering into and out of sight, which shone upon ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the angel in the tomb.htm

Army (401 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The Israelites marched out of Egypt in military
order (Exodus 13:18, "harnessed;" marg., "five in a rank"). ...
/a/army.htm - 76k

Harnessed (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Harness. Multi-Version Concordance
Harnessed (3 Occurrences). Exodus 13:18 But God led the ...
/h/harnessed.htm - 7k

Harness (9 Occurrences)
... 17). (4.) The children of Israel passed out of Egypt "harnessed" (Exodus
13:18), ie, in an orderly manner, and as if to meet a foe. ...
/h/harness.htm - 12k

Team (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Two or more horses, oxen, or other beasts harnessed to the same vehicle
for drawing, as to a coach, wagon, sled, or the like. ...
/t/team.htm - 8k

Jehoram (27 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 9:21 And Jehoram saith, 'Harness;' and his chariot is harnessed, and Jehoram
king of Israel goeth out, and Ahaziah king of Judah, each in his chariot ...
/j/jehoram.htm - 30k

Harnesseth (2 Occurrences)

/h/harnesseth.htm - 6k

What does the Bible say about being stiff-necked? | GotQuestions.org

What is a yokefellow in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about crystals? | GotQuestions.org

Harnessed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus