In biblical times, horsemen played a significant role in warfare and were often associated with power and speed. The term "horseman" refers to a rider on horseback, typically a soldier or warrior. The presence of horsemen in the Bible is indicative of military strength and the ability to conduct swift and effective campaigns.

Old Testament References

The use of horsemen is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of Israel's neighbors and enemies. For instance, the Egyptians were known for their chariots and horsemen, which posed a formidable threat to the Israelites. In Exodus 14:9, the Bible recounts, "The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen, and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon."

The Israelites themselves were initially forbidden from amassing horses and horsemen, as seen in Deuteronomy 17:16, which warns the king of Israel not to "multiply horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses." This command was intended to ensure that Israel relied on God rather than military might.

Despite this, during the reign of King Solomon, Israel acquired horses and chariots, establishing a significant cavalry force. 1 Kings 10:26 states, "Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem."

Prophetic and Apocalyptic Imagery

Horsemen also appear in prophetic and apocalyptic literature, symbolizing various divine judgments and events. In the book of Isaiah, horsemen are depicted as instruments of God's judgment. Isaiah 21:7 describes a vision: "When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert."

The most famous biblical horsemen are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, found in the book of Revelation. These horsemen symbolize different aspects of God's judgment upon the earth. Revelation 6:2-8 describes them: the first horseman on a white horse represents conquest, the second on a red horse symbolizes war, the third on a black horse signifies famine, and the fourth on a pale horse embodies death.

Symbolism and Themes

Horsemen in the Bible often symbolize swiftness, power, and the execution of divine will. They are frequently associated with judgment and the unfolding of God's plans, whether through historical events or eschatological visions. The imagery of horsemen serves to remind believers of the might and sovereignty of God, who controls the destinies of nations and peoples.

In summary, horsemen in the Bible are emblematic of military prowess and divine intervention, appearing in both historical narratives and prophetic visions to convey themes of judgment, power, and reliance on God rather than human strength.Hebrews ba'al parash, "master of a horse." The "horsemen" mentioned Exodus 14:9 were "mounted men", i.e., men who rode in chariots. The army of Pharaoh consisted of a chariot and infantry force. We find that at a later period, however, the Egyptians had cavalry (2 Chronicles 12:3). (see HORSE.) 1. (n.) A rider on horseback; one skilled in the management of horses; a mounted man.

2. (n.) A mounted soldier; a cavalryman.

3. (n.) A land crab of the genus Ocypoda, living on the coast of Brazil and the West Indies, noted for running very swiftly.

4. (n.) A West Indian fish of the genus Eques, as the light-horseman (E. lanceolatus).

HORSEMAN

hors'-man.

See ARMY.

2460. hippeus -- a horseman
... a horseman. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: hippeus Phonetic Spelling:
(hip-yooce') Short Definition: a mounted soldier Definition: a horse ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2460.htm - 6k7395. rakkab -- charioteer, horseman
... rakkab. 7396 . charioteer, horseman. Transliteration: rakkab Phonetic Spelling:
(rak-kawb') Short Definition: chariot. ... chariot man, driver of a chariot, horseman ...
/hebrew/7395.htm - 6k

6571b. parash -- horseman
... 6571a, 6571b. parash. 6572 . horseman. Transliteration: parash Short Definition:
horsemen. Word Origin from the same as parash Definition ...
/hebrew/6571b.htm - 5k

6571. parash -- a horse, steed
... 6570, 6571. parash. 6571a . a horse, steed. Transliteration: parash Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-rawsh') Short Definition: horseman. horseman ...
/hebrew/6571.htm - 5k

7392. rakab -- to mount and ride, ride
... root Definition to mount and ride, ride NASB Word Usage carried (2), carried him
in a chariot (1), chariot (1), drove (1), harness (1), horseman* (2), lead (1 ...
/hebrew/7392.htm - 6k

1167. baal -- owner, lord
... have to do, + dreamer, those to whom it is due, + furious, those that are given
to it, great, + hairy, he that hath it, have, + horseman, husband, lord, man ...
/hebrew/1167.htm - 6k

5483b. sus -- a horse
... Word Origin probably of foreign origin Definition a horse NASB Word Usage horse
(32), horse's (1), horseback (1), horseman* (2), horses (100), horses' (2). ...
/hebrew/5483b.htm - 5k

The Battle of Thermopylae.
... Character of the Spartans."Their pride."The Spartans adorn themselves for the
battle."Approach of Xerxes."The Persian horseman."His observation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ix the battle of.htm

The End of Ahab's Selfish Family
... was standing on the tower of Jezreel, he saw the cloud of dust about Jehu, as he
came, and said, "I see a cloud of dust." Joram said, "Send a horseman to meet ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the end of ahabs selfish.htm

Which of the Three Leading Opinions Regarding the Chief Good ...
... But whether the soul alone is the man, so that the body holds the same relation
to it as a horse to the horseman, this he thinks has to be ascertained. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 3 which of the three.htm

About this Time it was that Jonathan and his Fellow Legates Came. ...
... enemy. Now it was a horseman who brought the letter, a man at other times
bold, and one that had served in the army under the king. ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 44 about this time.htm

What Afterward Befell the Seditious when they had done a Great ...
... them of what they had. They also took two of the Romans alive; the one
was a horseman, and the other a footman. They then cut the ...
/.../chapter 7 what afterward befell.htm

How Jehu was Anointed King, and Slew Both Joram and Ahaziah; as ...
... So when the horseman came up to Jehu, he asked him in what condition the army was,
for that the king wanted to know it; but Jehu bid him not at all to meddle ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how jehu was.htm

On Genesis.
... And let Dan become a serpent by the way, lying on the path, stinging the horse's
heel; and the horseman shall fall backward, waiting for the salvation of the ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on genesis.htm

The Faithful Servant
... Suddenly there appeared in the path of the wayfarer a galloping horseman, who drew
his mount back on his haunches, then spurred him to ride down the old man. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xxi the faithful servant.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... [Illustration: 009.jpg AN ASSYRIAN HORSEMAN ARMED WITH THE SWORD]. Drawn by
Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief in bronze on the gate of Balawat. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Israel in Egypt
... Lo, you see them gathered together this day; horseman upon horseman, chariot
upon chariot, gathered together against the Most High. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/israel in egypt.htm

Horseman (13 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A West Indian fish of the genus Eques, as the light-horseman (E. lanceolatus).
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HORSEMAN. hors'-man. ...
/h/horseman.htm - 11k

Mounting (3 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Nahum 3:2 The sound of a whip, And the sound of the rattling of a wheel,
And of a prancing horse, and of a bounding chariot, Of a horseman mounting. ...
/m/mounting.htm - 7k

Sheaves (13 Occurrences)
... It is a custom in parts of Syria for the gatherers of the sheaves to run toward
a passing horseman and wave a handful of grain, shouting kemshi, kemshi ...
/s/sheaves.htm - 12k

Sheaf (11 Occurrences)
... It is a custom in parts of Syria for the gatherers of the sheaves to run toward
a passing horseman and wave a handful of grain, shouting kemshi, kemshi ...
/s/sheaf.htm - 12k

Horse (62 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HORSE. hors: 1. Names: The common names are (1)
cuc, and (2) hippos. (3) The word parash, "horseman," occurs often, and in ...
/h/horse.htm - 37k

Quick-footed (7 Occurrences)
... Amos 2:15 And the bowman will not keep his place; he who is quick-footed will not
get away safely: and the horseman will not keep his life. (BBE). ...
/q/quick-footed.htm - 8k

Jehu's (6 Occurrences)
... said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet
them, and let him say, Is it peace? (DBY NIV). 2 Kings 10:34 ...
/j/jehu's.htm - 8k

Jizreel (30 Occurrences)
... said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet
them, and let him say, Is it peace? (DBY). 2 Kings 9:30 ...
/j/jizreel.htm - 15k

Gleaming (9 Occurrences)
... Nahum 3:3 the horseman mounting, and the flashing sword, the glittering spear, and
a multitude of slain, and a great heap of corpses, and there is no end of ...
/g/gleaming.htm - 9k

Glittering (12 Occurrences)
... Nahum 3:3 the horseman mounting, and the flashing sword, the glittering spear, and
a multitude of slain, and a great heap of corpses, and there is no end of ...
/g/glittering.htm - 11k

Who are the four horsemen of the apocalypse? | GotQuestions.org

What are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah? | GotQuestions.org

What are watchmen in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Horseman: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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