The horse is a significant animal in the biblical narrative, often symbolizing strength, power, and warfare. Throughout the Scriptures, horses are depicted as creatures of great might and are frequently associated with military endeavors and the majesty of kings.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Strength and Power: The horse is often used as a metaphor for strength and power in the Bible. In Job 39:19-25, God describes the horse's might and fearlessness in battle: "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 passage highlights the horse's natural vigor and its role as a formidable creature in warfare.

2. Warfare and Conquest: Horses are frequently associated with chariots and armies, symbolizing military strength and the ability to conquer. In Exodus 14:9, the Egyptians pursued the Israelites with "all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen, and troops," demonstrating the reliance on horses for military might. Similarly, in Revelation 19:11, Christ is depicted riding a white horse, symbolizing His ultimate victory and righteous judgment: "Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True."

3. Royalty and Wealth: Horses were also a symbol of wealth and royal status. King Solomon, known for his wisdom and prosperity, amassed a great number of horses and chariots. 1 Kings 10:26 states, "Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses." This accumulation signified not only Solomon's wealth but also his kingdom's strength and stability.

4. Divine Judgment and Protection: Horses are sometimes used to convey divine judgment or protection. In Zechariah 1:8, the prophet sees a vision of a man riding a red horse among the myrtle trees, symbolizing God's watchful presence and forthcoming judgment. Conversely, in 2 Kings 6:17, Elisha's servant is shown a vision of horses and chariots of fire, representing divine protection: "And Elisha prayed, 'O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.' And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

5. Warnings Against Reliance: Despite their strength, the Bible warns against placing trust in horses for deliverance. Psalm 20:7 reminds believers, "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." This verse underscores the futility of relying on human strength and military power instead of God's sovereignty and protection.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, horses were highly valued for their speed and strength, particularly in warfare. They were often used to pull chariots, which were a critical component of military strategy. The acquisition of horses was a sign of a nation's military capability and economic prosperity. However, the biblical narrative consistently points to the ultimate power and authority of God over human endeavors, including the might of horses.

In summary, the horse in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol representing strength, power, and the futility of relying on human might over divine providence. Its presence in Scripture serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority and the importance of placing trust in Him above all else.Psalm 33:17
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 147:10
He delights not in the strength of the horse: he takes not pleasure in the legs of a man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2462. hippos -- a horse
... horse. Of uncertain affinity; a horse -- horse. (ippois) -- 2 Occurrences. (ippos) --
5 Occurrences. ... 2461, 2462. hippos. 2463 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2462.htm - 6k

751. Archippos -- "horse-ruler," Archippus, a Christian at ...
... hippos; horse-ruler; Archippus, a Christian -- Archippus. see GREEK arche. see GREEK
hippos. (archippo) -- 2 Occurrences. 750, 751. Archippos. 752 . Strong's ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/751.htm - 6k

5376. Philippos -- "horse-loving," Philip, two sons of Herod the ...
... Word Origin from philos and hippos Definition "horse-loving," Philip, two sons of
Herod the Great, also two Christian NASB Word Usage Philip ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5376.htm - 7k

5433. phruasso -- to neigh, whinny, fig. to be wanton
... horse), ie (figuratively) to make a tumult -- rage. see GREEK brucho. see GREEK
bruo. (ephruaxan) -- 1 Occurrence. 5432, 5433. phruasso. 5434 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5433.htm - 6k

1913. epibibazo -- to place upon
... Verb Transliteration: epibibazo Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-bee-bad'-zo) Short Definition:
I place upon Definition: I place upon (a horse, mule ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1913.htm - 6k

67. Agrippas -- Agrippa, the name of two descendant of Herod the ...
... Agrippa. Apparently from agrios and hippos; wild-horse tamer; Agrippas, one of the
Herods -- Agrippa. see GREEK agrios. ... Agrippas. 68 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/67.htm - 6k

1690. embrimaomai -- to be moved with anger, to admonish sternly
... 1690 (from 1722 , "engaged " and , "to snort") -- properly, snort like an angry
horse; (literally) "(roar) with rage" () which expresses , ie ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1690.htm - 7k

1910. epibaino -- to go aboard, to go up to
... Spelling: (ep-ee-bah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I step on, mount, board Definition:
(a) I set foot on, step on, (b) I mount (a horse), board (a ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1910.htm - 7k

2934. ktenos -- a beast of burden
... ktenos Phonetic Spelling: (ktay'-nos) Short Definition: a beast of burden Definition:
a beast of burden (generally, a horse or mule) either ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2934.htm - 6k

2461. hippikos -- cavalry
... Neuter of a derivative of hippos; the cavalry force -- horse(-men). see GREEK hippos.
(ippikou) -- 1 Occurrence. 2460, 2461. hippikos. 2462 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2461.htm - 6k

5483b. sus -- a horse
... a horse NASB Word Usage horse (32), horse's (1), horseback (1), horseman* (2), horses
(100), horses' (2). 5483a, 5483b. sus. 5484 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5483b.htm - 5k

1725. dahar -- to rush, dash (of a horse)
... dash (of a horse) NASB Word Usage galloping (1). pause. A primitive root; to curvet
or move irregularly -- pause. 1724, 1725. dahar. 1726 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/1725.htm - 5k

6571a. parash -- a horse, steed
... Origin from an unused word Definition a horse, steed NASB Word Usage horses (2),
steeds (1), war horses (1). 6571, 6571a. parash. 6571b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6571a.htm - 5k

6571. parash -- a horse, steed
... parash. 6571a . a horse, steed. Transliteration: parash Phonetic Spelling:
(paw-rawsh') Short Definition: horseman. horseman ... parash. 6571a . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/6571.htm - 5k

5483. cuwc -- a swallow, swift (type of bird)
... also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compare
parash. see HEBREW parash. 5482b, 5483. cuwc. 5483a . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5483.htm - 5k

7392. rakab -- to mount and ride, ride
... horse-)back), carry, get (oneself) up, on (horse-)back, put, (cause to, make to)
ride (in a chariot, on, -r), set. 7391, 7392. rakab. 7393 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/7392.htm - 6k

5936. aluqah -- a leech
... horse-leech. Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to suck; the
leech -- horse-leech. 5935, 5936. aluqah. 5937 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5936.htm - 5k

7483. ramah -- perhaps vibration, quivering
... thunder. Feminine of ra'am; the mane of a horse (as quivering in the wind) -- thunder.
see HEBREW ra'am. 7482, 7483. ramah. 7484 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7483.htm - 6k

7267. rogez -- agitation, excitement, raging
... of a horse), crash (of thunder), disquiet, anger -- fear, noise, rage,
trouble(-ing), wrath. see HEBREW ragaz. 7266, 7267. rogez. 7268 . Strong's
/hebrew/7267.htm - 6k

5485. Susi -- a Manassite
... Usage Susi (1). Susi. From cuwc; horse-like; Susi, an Israelite -- Susi. see
HEBREW cuwc. 5484, 5485. Susi. 5486 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5485.htm - 6k

Narrow Escapes. Is Thrown from a Horse. Has Pneumonia. Nearly ...
... When about thirteen years of age, a horse on which I was riding in a slow walk ... chain
caught on a solid rock in the road, and, as I had four strong horses, and ...
/.../chapter x narrow escapes is.htm

Adoration
... Strong is the horse upon his speed; Strong in pursuit the rapid glede, Which makes
at once his game: Strong the tall ostrich on the ground; Strong through the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/wells/bible stories and religious classics/adoration.htm

Song to David
... The choicest flowers to hive. Strong is the horse upon his speed; Strong in
pursuit the rapid glede [180] ,. Which makes at once his game: ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cciv song to david.htm

After this Diamond Recovered So Fast, that in a Few Days He was ...
... all at once to confess that his own old horse could have sunk so low. "Well," said
his friend, "all I say is"-There's a animal for you, as strong as a church ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 14 after this diamond.htm

The Creation of Terrestrial Animals.
... The ox is steady, the ass is lazy, the horse has strong passions, the wolf cannot
be tamed, the fox is deceitful, the stag timid, the ant industrious, the dog ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily ix the creation of.htm

The Life of David Hackston of Rathillet.
... Both armies advanced, and a strong party of the enemies horse coming hard upon them,
their horse fired, killed and wounded severals of them, both horse and foot ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of david hackston.htm

Whether a Sale is Rendered Unlawful through a Fault in the Thing ...
... of the hidden qualities of the thing sold, but only of such as render the thing
adapted to man's use, for instance, that the horse be strong, run well and so ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a sale is rendered.htm

The Children were Delighted with the Story, and Made Many Amusing ...
... you'll have to give her her food then; and your father, not being strong, has enough ...
It's got to be done, you know, sir; and Diamond's a good horse"-isn't he ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 29 the children were.htm

Origin of Heathen Mythology.
... Bellerophon, a man born of man, himself ascended to heaven on his horse Pegasus ... said,
as has been cited above, in the prophecies written aforetime, "Strong as a ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter liv origin of heathen mythology.htm

The Second Part.
... whose walls are down. Zeale is a good servant, but an ill master: mettle
is dangerous in a head-strong horse. And so the Poets (which ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the second part.htm

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