The term "neighed" refers to the vocal sound made by horses, often associated with excitement, restlessness, or communication among the animals. In the biblical context, the imagery of horses neighing is used metaphorically to convey certain spiritual and moral lessons, often highlighting human behavior that is driven by unchecked desires or passions.

Biblical References:

1. Jeremiah 5:8 : "They were well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife." In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah uses the imagery of horses neighing to describe the rampant immorality and unfaithfulness among the people of Judah. The comparison to "lusty stallions" emphasizes the intensity and shamelessness of their adulterous behavior. This metaphor serves as a powerful indictment of the nation's spiritual infidelity and highlights the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

2. Jeremiah 8:16 : "The snorting of their horses is heard from Dan; the whole land trembles at the sound of the neighing of their stallions. They come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who dwell in it." Here, the neighing of horses is associated with impending judgment and destruction. The sound of the enemy's horses serves as a forewarning of the Babylonian invasion, symbolizing the terror and devastation that would befall the land due to the people's persistent disobedience and idolatry.

Theological Implications:

The use of the term "neighed" in these contexts underscores the biblical theme of human sinfulness and the consequences of straying from God's will. The metaphor of horses neighing after their neighbor's wife in Jeremiah 5:8 illustrates the depth of moral decay and the loss of self-control among the people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and the dangers of succumbing to carnal desires.

In Jeremiah 8:16, the neighing of horses as a harbinger of destruction reflects the seriousness of divine judgment. It emphasizes that God's patience has limits and that persistent rebellion against His laws will ultimately lead to severe consequences. The imagery of neighing horses thus serves as both a warning and a call to repentance, urging the people to return to a covenant relationship with God.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, horses were often associated with power, warfare, and status. The neighing of horses would have been a familiar sound, especially in the context of military campaigns. The biblical authors' use of this imagery would have resonated with their audience, conveying messages of urgency and the need for spiritual vigilance.

Overall, the metaphorical use of "neighed" in the Bible serves to illustrate the broader themes of human frailty, the consequences of sin, and the necessity of aligning one's life with divine principles. Through these vivid images, the scriptures communicate timeless truths about the human condition and the path to redemption.(imp. & p. p.) of Neigh.

That it is the Prerogative of the Same Power to be Beneficent and ...
... This is shown by Jeremiah: "They were female-mad horses; each one neighed after
his neighbour's wife. Shall I not visit for these things? ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ix that it is the.htm

Those Persons who do not Believe in God, but who are Disobedient ...
... placed in honour, is made like unto cattle." [4444] And again Jeremiah says, "They
are become like horses, furious about females; each one neighed after his ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xli those persons who do.htm

Against vigilantius.
... differ from the brute creation, or from horses, respecting which it is written:
[4948] "They were toward women like raging horses; everyone neighed after his ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against vigilantius.htm

The Seventh Commandment
... Every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.' Jeremiah 5:8. Nay, it is worse than
brutish; for some creatures that are void of reason, yet by the instinct of ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 7 the seventh commandment.htm

Why Man's Form is Upright; and that Hands were Given Him Because ...
... not have had the configuration proper for the use of speech, so that man must of
necessity have either bleated, or "baaed," or barked, or neighed, or bellowed ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/viii why mans form is.htm

The Seventh Book
... For, as the prophet said: "They were as fed horses in the morning; everyone neighed
after his neighbor's wife." [365] Those of whom he spoke sinned perhaps ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

The Accession of Darius.
... As the horsemen rode up to the appointed place, the horse of Darius neighed
the first, and Darius was unanimously acknowledged king. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter iv the accession of.htm

The Absurdity and Shamefulness of the Images by which the Gods are ...
... The doves on the picture were represented so to the life by the painter's art, that
the pigeons flew to them; and horses have neighed to well-executed pictures ...
/.../exhortation to the heathen/chapter iv the absurdity and shamefulness.htm

The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary.
... Joseph must at once approach, her, and be subject to Jeremiah's [4198] reproof,
"They were as mad horses in respect of women: every one neighed after his ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the perpetual virginity of blessed.htm

Neighed (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Neighed (2 Occurrences). Jeremiah 5:8 They were as fed
horses roaming at large; everyone neighed after his neighbor's wife. ...
/n/neighed.htm - 7k

Neighbour's (30 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS BBE DBY YLT). Jeremiah 5:8 They were as fed horses in the morning: every
one neighed after his neighbour's wife. (KJV JPS BBE DBY). ...
/n/neighbour's.htm - 15k

Neigheth (1 Occurrence)
... Neigheth (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 5:8 They were as fed horses roaming at large;
every one neighed after his neighbor's wife. (See JPS DBY). ...
/n/neigheth.htm - 6k

Neigh (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Neigh (2 Occurrences). Jeremiah 5:8 They were as fed horses
roaming at large; everyone neighed after his neighbor's wife. ...
/n/neigh.htm - 7k

Lusty (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV). Jeremiah 5:8 They were as fed horses roaming at large; every one
neighed after his neighbor's wife. (See JPS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lusty.htm - 7k

Well-fed (2 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Jeremiah 5:8 They were as fed horses roaming at large; every one
neighed after his neighbor's wife. (See JPS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/well-fed.htm - 6k

Roam (7 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Jeremiah 5:8 They were as fed horses roaming at large; everyone
neighed after his neighbor's wife. (Root in WEB ASV DBY). ...
/r/roam.htm - 8k

Roaming (5 Occurrences)
... places.' (See NIV). Jeremiah 5:8 They were as fed horses roaming at large;
everyone neighed after his neighbor's wife. (WEB ASV). ...
/r/roaming.htm - 7k

Plunderers (9 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Jeremiah 50:11 For ye rejoiced, for ye triumphed, ye plunderers of my heritage;
for ye have been wanton as the heifer at grass, and neighed as steeds. ...
/p/plunderers.htm - 9k

Steeds (11 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:11 For ye rejoiced, for ye triumphed, ye plunderers of my heritage;
for ye have been wanton as the heifer at grass, and neighed as steeds. (DBY). ...
/s/steeds.htm - 9k

Neighed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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