Topical Bible: The Horse: Numbers of, Kept for War

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the horse was a symbol of strength and power, often associated with warfare and military might. The use of horses in battle is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting their importance in ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Biblical References and Context

The Israelites, during their early history, were primarily a pastoral and agrarian society, and horses were not commonly used among them until the time of the monarchy. The Law of Moses explicitly warned against the accumulation of horses, particularly for the purpose of returning to Egypt, a land known for its horses and chariots. Deuteronomy 17:16 states, "But he must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said to you, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’"

Despite this warning, the allure of horses for military purposes became evident during the reigns of Israel's kings. King Solomon, renowned for his wealth and wisdom, amassed a significant number of horses and chariots. 1 Kings 10:26 records, "Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem."

The use of horses in warfare is further illustrated in the accounts of battles and military campaigns. Horses and chariots were integral to the armies of Israel's adversaries, such as the Egyptians, Canaanites, and Arameans. The Canaanite king Jabin, for instance, had a formidable force that included nine hundred iron chariots, as noted in Judges 4:3.

Symbolism and Prophetic Imagery

Horses also appear in prophetic literature, often symbolizing impending judgment or divine intervention. In the book of Zechariah, horses are depicted as agents of God's will, patrolling the earth and executing His commands. Zechariah 6:2-3 describes, "The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them powerful."

In the apocalyptic visions of Revelation, horses are central to the imagery of the Four Horsemen, each representing different aspects of God's judgment upon the earth. Revelation 6:2-8 introduces these figures, with the first horseman riding a white horse, symbolizing conquest, followed by riders on red, black, and pale horses, representing war, famine, and death, respectively.

Military Strategy and Divine Dependence

While horses were valued for their role in warfare, the biblical narrative consistently emphasizes reliance on God rather than military might. Psalm 20:7 declares, "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." This sentiment underscores the biblical principle that true security and victory come from divine providence rather than human strength or resources.

The tension between the practical use of horses in warfare and the theological imperative to trust in God is a recurring theme in the Scriptures. The biblical narrative encourages a perspective that values faith and obedience over reliance on military power, reflecting a broader spiritual truth about the nature of God's kingdom and His sovereignty over human affairs.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 51:27
Set you up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillars.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 26:10
By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover you: your walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into your gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

From the Conference of 1773 to the Commencement of the War in 1776
... have the use and property of his horse, which any ... Convictions seized on numbers,
who wrestled with God till their ... I could that these might be kept within bounds ...
/.../chapter 1 from the conference.htm

How Titus Marched to Jerusalem, and How He was in Danger as He was ...
... away, and go off from him in great numbers; while those that were in the same danger
with him kept up close ... from his horse, and carried off his horse with them ...
/.../chapter 2 how titus marched.htm

The Holy War,
... book in 1682, it has been constantly kept in print ... that it is impossible to calculate
the numbers that have ... neither sound to boot and saddle, nor horse and away ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Trinidad
... year before last, sensibly diminishing their numbers near the ... hooted by the Republicans,
who nevertheless kept at a ... mind to take that Trojan horse within his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter iii trinidad.htm

The Death of Saint Andrew.
... clad in his armour, bestriding his war-horse, and followed by the faithful Murdoch,
he kept steadily travelling on ... than one giant was slain, numbers of unhappy ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter twenty the death of.htm

The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem.
... had been guilty of it with his horse, and have ... extant; so we cannot compare his parallel
numbers with those ... were expressly tame pigeons which were kept in them ...
/.../chapter 13 the great slaughters.htm

The Young Titus
... enraging the white stallion that he rode, kept out of ... Titus wheeled his horse and,
plunging his spurs into ... They were not missed among the numbers in Jerusalem ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter ix the young titus.htm

The Review of the Troops at Doriscus.
... The numbers of the army having been ascertained, the next ... the enemy, and entangling
rider and horse together by ... the fact that the body was kept always exactly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter vi the review of.htm

The Story of Panthea.
... a neighboring camp merely to report the numbers and disposition ... at the head of two
thousand horse, which formed a ... displayed at first, for Panthea kept what she ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter x the story of.htm

Answer to Objections: Signal Instances of Prayer
... to receive a hissing rain and wind which kept the flame ... see that in truth deceptive
is a horse for safety ... commander of the adversary who brings numbers even of ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter viii answer to objections .htm