Topical Bible: The Horse: Fed on Grain and Herbs

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Topical Encyclopedia

The horse, a noble and powerful creature, is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing strength, speed, and warfare. In biblical times, horses were primarily used for chariots and cavalry, playing a crucial role in battles and transportation. The feeding of horses on grain and herbs is an aspect that reflects their care and the importance placed on their well-being.

Biblical References and Symbolism

Horses are often associated with military might and the power of nations. In Exodus 14:9, the Egyptians pursued the Israelites with "all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots," demonstrating the horse's role in warfare. Similarly, in 1 Kings 10:28-29, Solomon's wealth and power are illustrated by his importation of horses from Egypt, indicating their value and significance.

Dietary Practices

The diet of horses in biblical times included grain and herbs, which were essential for maintaining their strength and endurance. Grain, such as barley, was a staple in the diet of horses, providing the necessary energy for their demanding roles. In the ancient Near East, barley was a common feed for horses, as it was readily available and nutritious.

Herbs and grasses also formed a part of the horse's diet, reflecting the pastoral lifestyle of many biblical communities. The natural grazing of horses on herbs and grasses is implied in various scriptural contexts, where the land's fertility and the abundance of pasture are highlighted. For instance, in Isaiah 30:23, the promise of abundant grain and lush pastures signifies prosperity and divine blessing: "Then He will give rain for the seed you have sown in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. On that day your cattle will graze in wide open pastures."

Care and Management

The care of horses, including their feeding, was an important aspect of stewardship in biblical times. Proverbs 21:31 states, "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD." This verse underscores the necessity of preparing and maintaining horses for their roles, while also acknowledging that ultimate success is granted by God.

The management of horses, including their feeding, was a responsibility that required wisdom and diligence. In 2 Kings 7:13-14, during the siege of Samaria, the scarcity of resources is highlighted by the mention of horses that remained in the city, indicating the challenges of maintaining livestock during times of crisis.

Spiritual Lessons

The horse's reliance on grain and herbs for sustenance can serve as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment. Just as horses require proper feeding to fulfill their roles, believers are called to seek spiritual sustenance through the Word of God and prayer. The strength and vitality of the horse can remind Christians of the importance of spiritual discipline and reliance on God's provision.

In summary, the horse in the Bible is a symbol of strength and power, with its diet of grain and herbs reflecting the care and management required for its role in society. The biblical portrayal of horses offers insights into the values and practices of ancient communities, as well as spiritual lessons for believers today.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 4:28
Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they to the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 18:5
And Ahab said to Obadiah, Go into the land, to all fountains of water, and to all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Removing Tithes.
... The tithe of corn ground in a horse malt mill, is a personal ... As to the seed of Clover
see Grain. ... remain thirty days in a parish; and, if they are fed in one ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/8 of removing tithes.htm

Letter Liv. To Furia.
... sing to the Lord for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his ... Well was she
called the bee [1611] for she fed on the ... 1615] She had but a grain of mustard ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liv to furia.htm

Spiritual Appetite
... a saying that "hunger setteth his foot in the horse's manger," meaning ... Others are
fed, why do you complain ... and said, "I would sooner have found a grain of barley ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/spiritual appetite.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... The elder sons were shepherds, and fed their flocks in ... One writer says, that two
four-horse chariots could pass each ... and the insect creeps on the grain of sand ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Heavenly Contemplation Assisted by Sensible Objects, and Guarded ...
... If this grain of mustard-seed be so precious, what is ... that will not work, or with
a horse that will ... by the cheerfulness of thy countenance; and hast fed of the ...
/.../the saints everlasting rest/chapter xv heavenly contemplation assisted.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... Some of these"as, for example, the horse and the camel ... and sweet, and pure," whereby
gods and men are fed. ... of bread,"Napri, the god of grain, presents his ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... as the ox was created for ploughing, the horse for riding ... not to be found in paradise,
but upon grain and fruit ... with their heart: so the people well fed and fat ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Appendices
... thee; thou thrustest it aside; the horse is scratched ... I neither increase nor diminish
the measures of grain. ... them I piled up reeds, cedar-wood and herbs. 139. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... marriage, and showed them how to grind grain between two ... p.41 for the date at which
the horse was acclimatized in ... His will is that they be fed and clothed, and ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... we are working men, and must be content to be clad and fed as such ... be from seeking
carnal things, or of making their prevailing[8] a stalking-horse to worldly ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm