Topical Bible: The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Black

◄ The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Black ►

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In biblical literature, the horse is often a symbol of strength, power, and swiftness. Among the various colors of horses mentioned in the Bible, the black horse holds particular significance, often associated with themes of judgment and calamity.

The most notable mention of a black horse is found in the Book of Revelation, a prophetic text rich with symbolism and imagery. Revelation 6:5-6 describes the opening of the third seal: "And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, 'Come!' Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales. And I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying, 'A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, but do not harm the oil and wine.'"

In this passage, the black horse and its rider are emblematic of economic hardship and famine. The scales signify the weighing and rationing of food, indicating scarcity and inflation. The mention of a denarius, a day's wage, for a mere quart of wheat or three quarts of barley underscores the severity of the situation, where basic sustenance becomes costly and difficult to obtain. The instruction not to harm the oil and wine suggests a selective impact, possibly sparing luxury items or indicating a partial judgment.

The imagery of the black horse in Revelation aligns with the broader biblical theme of divine judgment. Throughout Scripture, God uses various means to execute justice and call His people to repentance. The black horse serves as a vivid reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine retribution.

In the context of biblical prophecy, the color black often symbolizes mourning, distress, and the absence of light. This is consistent with the portrayal of the black horse as a harbinger of difficult times. The use of color in biblical symbolism is intentional, conveying deeper spiritual truths and inviting reflection on the moral and spiritual state of humanity.

While the black horse is primarily associated with Revelation, the broader biblical narrative includes other references to horses of different colors, each carrying its own symbolic meaning. Together, these images contribute to the rich tapestry of biblical prophecy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

In summary, the black horse in the Bible is a powerful symbol of judgment and economic distress, serving as a call to awareness and repentance. Its presence in the prophetic vision of Revelation underscores the seriousness of divine justice and the hope for ultimate restoration through God's sovereign plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 6:2,6
In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 6:5
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and see a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Naparima and Montserrat
... as remarkable as the Ceiba I mentioned just now. ... them in cotton velvet jackets of
the richest colours. ... which, if broken through, held the horse's leg suspended ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter x naparima and montserrat.htm

Outward Bound
... feet high; nor at the gorgeous colours, for very ... were told that, in the island just
mentioned, the ... opened, proved to contain the gray horse-nicker-beads ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter i outward bound.htm

Away in Paris, a Vast Concourse of People were Assembled Round an ...
... wind, the scent of the earth and the colours of the ... who died from a kick from his
favourite horse one day ... I mentioned her name once in the presence of this man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/xxxii away in paris a.htm

The Northern Mountains
... medal from England, and to have his name mentioned, probably to ... than that from the
bite of a horse-leech, we ... songsters, and our eyes on the colours and shapes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

Profit and Loss
... by these magnificent gains I have mentioned, and in ... fagging along, just like a
pack-horse, without the ... so dreadful, for earth hath not colours black enough or ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/profit and loss.htm

Christian Morals. Part I.
... the physiognomy of want, and let the dead colours and first ... 65] Circenses were Roman
horse-races ... motion of respiration, which is nearer to the number mentioned. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part i.htm

The victory of Faith
... his name must be love; are the brethren mentioned, he loves ... like the chameleon, it
hath all the colours of the ... depths of the sea; he is a war horse, that cries ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the victory of faith.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... The sea mentioned in all these tales is perhaps a ... of these"as, for example, the horse
and the ... their equatorial origin in the brightness of their colours. ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... trusted himself to the back of a horse, and it ... that of Kush and of the Uauaiu, is
mentioned repeatedly in ... linen; an innate taste for bright colours, even in ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... 874]"usurers in the south aisle, horse-dealers in ... It is mentioned as somewhat
exceptional on the part of ... Modena, was exceedingly fine as a sketch in colours. ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm