The Horse: Beauty of the Church
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the horse is often depicted as a symbol of strength, power, and beauty. While the horse is not directly associated with the Church in a literal sense, its attributes can be metaphorically linked to the Church's spiritual beauty and strength.

Symbolism and Attributes

The horse is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a creature of majesty and might. In the book of Job, the horse is described with vivid imagery that highlights its strength and fearlessness: "Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane? Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting?" (Job 39:19-20). This portrayal underscores the horse's power and grace, qualities that can be seen as reflective of the Church's spiritual vigor and beauty.

The Horse in Prophetic Imagery

In the prophetic books, horses often appear in visions and apocalyptic imagery. For instance, in the book of Zechariah, horses are used to convey messages from God: "I looked up again and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. The first chariot had red horses, the second black, the third white, and the fourth dappled—all of them powerful" (Zechariah 6:1-3). These horses symbolize divine intervention and the execution of God's will, reflecting the Church's role in carrying out God's purposes on earth.

The Horse in the Song of Solomon

The Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating love and beauty, uses the imagery of a horse to describe the beloved's beauty: "I compare you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots" (Song of Solomon 1:9). This comparison highlights the elegance and allure of the beloved, which can be seen as an allegory for the Church's beauty as the Bride of Christ. The Church, adorned with spiritual gifts and virtues, is likened to a majestic horse, captivating and noble.

The Horse in Revelation

In the book of Revelation, horses play a significant role in the unfolding of eschatological events. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, each riding a distinctively colored horse, symbolize various aspects of divine judgment and the end times (Revelation 6:1-8). While these horses represent judgment, they also serve as a reminder of the Church's call to remain steadfast and faithful amidst trials, embodying the strength and resilience of a well-trained steed.

Spiritual Lessons from the Horse

The horse's attributes of strength, beauty, and readiness for battle can serve as spiritual lessons for the Church. Just as a horse is prepared for the day of battle, the Church is called to be spiritually equipped and ready to advance the Kingdom of God. Proverbs 21:31 states, "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD" . This verse emphasizes reliance on God's power, reminding the Church that while it must be prepared, ultimate victory is granted by the Lord.

In summary, while the horse is not explicitly linked to the Church in Scripture, its symbolic attributes of beauty, strength, and readiness provide a rich metaphorical framework for understanding the Church's spiritual identity and mission. Through the lens of biblical imagery, the horse serves as a powerful symbol of the Church's role as a vessel of God's grace and truth in the world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Songs 1:9
I have compared you, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 10:3
My anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts has visited his flock the house of Judah, and has made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Antichrist.
... that the Holy Ghost gives of the intrinsic beauty of the ... man of sin and the dragon,
to revel in the church of God ... He that calls a man a horse, doth but fix the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxiii antichrist.htm

Helena , Mother of the Emperor Constantine. --Her Zeal in the ...
... Her zeal in the Erection of the Holy Church. ... to be formed into the bridle of his
horse, not only ... It is unnecessary to describe their beauty and grandeur; for ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xvii helena mother of.htm

The King in his Beauty
... is the perfection of warrior strength as well as of beauty and gentleness ... a white
horse. ... the great mosque of Damascus, which was a Christian church once, there ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the king in his beauty.htm

No one ever Afterwards Quite Knew How the Crowd in the Church ...
... Did you not see me in church? ... lady, known as the Princesse D'Agramont, an independent
beauty of great ... My poor horse has been waiting too long already,"I must ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xiv no one ever afterwards.htm

Baptized with Fire
... the life has gone its richness, its transfiguring beauty; and what ... of the marvelous
success of the early church in its ... Blind zeal is like a blind horse: it is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twenty baptized with fire.htm

Faustus Rejects the Old Testament Because it Leaves no Room for ...
... either, make Christianity a monster, half horse and half ... This Jerusalem, the holy
Church, the bride of Christ ... the King hath greatly desired thy beauty; and He ...
/.../faustus rejects the old testament.htm

The Puritan Beginnings of the Church in virginia ---Its Decline ...
... But the beauty and dignity of the Christian character shine ... The church, a building
sixty feet by twenty-four ... Admiral and the Master of the Horse, together with ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter v the puritan beginnings.htm

The Wicked Man's Life, Funeral, and Epitaph
... He is like a horse that hath been in the battle ... of blood, instead of being full of
fairness and beauty. Happy the church when God gives her holy ministers; but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the wicked mans life funeral.htm

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... fed; Thus he serves tables with the church's stock, And ... Temperance, the mother is
of moderation, The beauty also of ... thy bed; Or art like to a horse, pamper'd ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse of the building.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... Smithfield[874]"usurers in the south aisle, horse-dealers in ... much charm of language,
upon the moral beauty of a ... been a time when the English Church in general ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

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

What are the seven seals of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

Horse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Horse

Horse Gate

Horse used by the Egyptians in War

Horse used by the Israelites

Horse used for Cavalry

Horse: Bells For

Horse: Bits For

Horse: Color of

Horse: Commerce In

Horse: Dedicated to Religious Uses

Horse: Description of a Vain Thing for Safety

Horse: Description of Great Strength

Horse: Description of Snorting and Neighing of

Horse: Description of Swifter than Eagles

Horse: Egypt Famous For

Horse: Exported: from Babylon

Horse: Exported: from Egypt

Horse: Forbidden to the Kings of Israel

Horse: Hamstrung by David

Horse: Hamstrung by Joshua

Horse: Harness For

Horse: Israel Reproved for Keeping

Horse: Symbolical

The Horse in Battle Protected by Armour

The Horse used for Bearing Burdens

The Horse used for Conveying Posts

The Horse used for Drawing Chariots

The Horse used for Hunting

The Horse used for Mounting Calvary

The Horse: A Dull Headstrong Disposition

The Horse: Adorned With Bells on the Neck

The Horse: Beauty of the Church

The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Bay

The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Black

The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Grisled

The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Pale or Ash Colour

The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Red

The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Speckled

The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: White

The Horse: Dedicated to the Sun by Idolaters

The Horse: Endued With Strength by God

The Horse: Fearless

The Horse: Fed on Grain and Herbs

The Horse: Fierce and Impetuous

The Horse: Glorious and Triumphant Deliverance of the Church

The Horse: Governed by Bit and Bridle

The Horse: Hard Hoofs of, Alluded To

The Horse: Impetuosity of the Wicked in Sin

The Horse: Kings and Princes Rode On

The Horse: Loud Snorting of, Alluded To

The Horse: Notice of Early Traffic In

The Horse: Numbers of, Kept for War

The Horse: Often Suffered in Battle

The Horse: Often Suffered in the Hoof from Prancing

The Horse: Often Suffered: from Bites of Serpents

The Horse: Often Suffered: from Blindness

The Horse: Often Suffered: from Murrain

The Horse: Often Suffered: from Plague

The Horse: Prepared and Trained for War

The Horse: Sold in Fairs and Markets

The Horse: Strong

The Horse: Sure Footed

The Horse: Swift

The Horse: The Jews: Brought Back Many, from Babylon

The Horse: The Jews: Condemned for Multiplying

The Horse: The Jews: Condemned for Trusting To

The Horse: The Jews: Forbidden to Multiply

The Horse: The Jews: Imported from Egypt

The Horse: The Jews: Multiplied in Solomon's Reign

The Horse: The Jews: Not to Trust In

The Horse: Urged on by Whips

The Horse: Vanity of Trusting To

The Horse: Want of Understanding In, Alluded To

The Horse: Warlike in Disposition

Related Terms

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Horse: Adorned With Bells on the Neck
Top of Page
Top of Page