In the context of the Bible, the term "mares" specifically refers to female horses. Horses, including mares, are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, often symbolizing strength, speed, and military power. The use of horses in biblical times was primarily associated with warfare and royal processions, reflecting their value and significance in ancient cultures.

Biblical References:

1. Symbol of Strength and Majesty:
Horses, including mares, are frequently depicted as symbols of strength and majesty. In the Song of Solomon, the beauty and grace of a beloved are compared to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots: "I compare you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots" (Song of Solomon 1:9). This imagery highlights the elegance and esteemed status of mares, as Pharaoh's horses were known for their exceptional quality and beauty.

2. Military Use:
Horses were integral to the military might of ancient kingdoms. The Bible often mentions horses in the context of chariots and cavalry, which were crucial components of ancient warfare. Although specific references to mares in battle are not detailed, the general use of horses in military contexts is evident. For instance, in 1 Kings 10:26, Solomon's accumulation of chariots and horsemen is noted: "Solomon accumulated chariots and horsemen; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem" .

3. Prohibition for Kings:
The Law of Moses included specific instructions regarding the acquisition of horses by Israelite kings. Deuteronomy 17:16 warns against multiplying horses, which can be understood as a caution against reliance on military power rather than on God: "But the king must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again’" . This directive underscores the potential for horses, including mares, to become symbols of misplaced trust in human strength.

4. Prophetic Imagery:
In prophetic literature, horses often appear in visions and symbolic imagery. While mares are not specifically singled out, the presence of horses in these visions conveys messages of impending judgment or divine intervention. For example, in Zechariah 6:1-8, the prophet sees four chariots with horses of different colors, representing the four spirits of heaven going out from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, horses were highly prized and often associated with royalty and the elite. Mares, as female horses, would have been valued for their role in breeding and maintaining the strength and quality of royal stables. The breeding of horses was a significant aspect of maintaining a powerful and effective cavalry, which was essential for the defense and expansion of a kingdom.

The biblical portrayal of horses, including mares, reflects their importance in the socio-political and military landscape of the time. While the Bible does not provide extensive details about mares specifically, the general references to horses highlight their role as symbols of power, wealth, and divine judgment.

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... decisive. We find mention of only ten prisoners, one hundred and eighty mares,
and sixty chariots in the lists of the spoil. Anaugasa ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
... It is the custom of the country; and as journeys are accomplished at a walking pace,
mares and she-asses are frequently accompanied by their foals. ...
/.../christs triumphal entry into jerusalem.htm

How to Conduct Ourselves at Feasts.
... by the huntsmen. And when mares are being covered, a tune is played on
the flute"a nuptial song, as it were. And every improper ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iv how to conduct ourselves.htm

The Longbeards' Saga. AD 400
... each morning thence Odin Allfather; From under the cloud-eaves Smiles out on the
heroes, Smiles on chaste housewives all, Smiles on the brood-mares, Smiles on ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the longbeards saga a d 400.htm

Manich??us Got the Arrangement of his Fanciful Notions from ...
... As regards salaciousness, I suppose he was thinking of neighing horses, which sometimes
bite through the bridle and rush at the mares; and writing hastily ...
/.../chapter 32 name got the.htm

De Tactus Voluptate Et Libidine, Atque De Matrimonio Et ...
... Idem etiam mares maribus admiscuit; et nefandos coitus contra naturam contraque
institutum Dei machinatus est: sic imbuit homines, et armavit ad nefas omne. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiii name tactus voluptate.htm

Or, if You Refuse to Believe this on Account of Its Novelty...
... other. [4147] Lit., "affords to you the appearance of.". [4148] Lit., "a
severity of stern manner"--moris for the ms. mares. [4149 ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/13 or if you refuse.htm

Letter ccciii. To the Comes Privatarum.
... You have, I think, been led to impose a contribution of mares [3261] on these
people by false information on the part of the inhabitants. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccciii to the comes.htm

Epistle xxxii. To Peter, Subdeacon of Sicily.
... But as to the herds of mares which we keep very unprofitably, I wish them all to
be dispersed, and four hundred only of the younger kept for breeding; which ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxxii to peter subdeacon.htm

That There are Many Things which Reason Cannot Account For, and ...
... with the moon. Then in Cappadocia the mares are impregnated by the wind,
and their foals live only three years. Tilon, an Indian ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 5 that there are many.htm

Mares (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mares (1 Occurrence). Esther 8:10 And he writeth
in the name of the king Ahasuerus, and sealeth with the ...
/m/mares.htm - 6k

Mareshah (8 Occurrences)

/m/mareshah.htm - 11k

Dromedary (3 Occurrences)
... and sealeth with the signet of the king, and sendeth letters by the hand of the
runners with horses, riders of the dromedary, the mules, the young mares, (YLT). ...
/d/dromedary.htm - 8k

Mule (9 Occurrences)
... This may be because most of the mares and many of the donkeys are small. Alfred
Ely Day. Multi-Version Concordance Mule (9 Occurrences). ...
/m/mule.htm - 13k

Mare (1 Occurrence)
... the Bible, but in Songs 1:9 we find cucah, the feminine of cuc, "horse," and in
Esther 8:10, bene ha-rammakhim is by some translated "sons of mares." See CAMEL ...
/m/mare.htm - 7k

Marealah (1 Occurrence)

/m/marealah.htm - 6k

Stud (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A collection of breeding horses and mares, or the place where they are
kept; also, a number of horses kept for a racing, riding, etc. ...
/s/stud.htm - 7k

Stint (1 Occurrence)
... 6. (vt) To serve successfully; to get with foal; -- said of mares. 7. (vi)
To stop; to cease. 8. (vt) Limit; bound; restraint; extent. ...
/s/stint.htm - 7k

Sealeth (5 Occurrences)
... and sealeth with the signet of the king, and sendeth letters by the hand of the
runners with horses, riders of the dromedary, the mules, the young mares, (YLT). ...
/s/sealeth.htm - 7k

Runners (21 Occurrences)
... and sealeth with the signet of the king, and sendeth letters by the hand of the
runners with horses, riders of the dromedary, the mules, the young mares, (YLT). ...
/r/runners.htm - 13k

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