In biblical times, the war-horse was a symbol of strength, power, and military might. These animals were highly valued in ancient warfare for their speed, strength, and ability to carry warriors into battle. The Bible references war-horses in various contexts, often highlighting their role in the military strategies of ancient civilizations.

Biblical References:

1. Job 39:19-25 · In this passage, God speaks to Job about the majesty and might of the war-horse, emphasizing its fearlessness and readiness for battle. The war-horse is described with vivid imagery: "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 description underscores the war-horse's natural attributes that make it an effective instrument in warfare.

2. Psalm 20:7 · The psalmist contrasts reliance on military power with trust in God: "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" . Here, the war-horse represents human reliance on military strength, which is ultimately inferior to faith in God.

3. Proverbs 21:31 · This proverb highlights the limitations of human preparation and the supremacy of divine providence: "A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD" . The war-horse, despite its readiness and strength, cannot guarantee victory without God's intervention.

4. Revelation 19:11-16 · In the apocalyptic vision of Revelation, the war-horse appears as a symbol of divine judgment and victory. The passage describes Christ, the Faithful and True, riding a white horse to execute judgment and wage war in righteousness. This imagery signifies the ultimate triumph of Christ over evil.

Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, war-horses were integral to the chariotry and cavalry units of powerful empires such as Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon. These animals were bred and trained for speed and endurance, often adorned with armor and decorations to intimidate enemies. The acquisition and maintenance of war-horses were significant investments for any kingdom, reflecting the importance of military prowess in securing and expanding territories.

Theological Significance:

The biblical portrayal of the war-horse serves as a reminder of the limitations of human power and the necessity of divine reliance. While the war-horse is a formidable creature, the Scriptures consistently point to God's sovereignty over human affairs. The war-horse, despite its might, is subject to the will of the Creator, who alone determines the outcome of battles and the course of history.

In summary, the war-horse in the Bible is a powerful symbol of human strength and military capability, yet it is consistently placed in the context of God's ultimate authority and providence.

A New Kind of King
... He comes, not mounted on a warhorse, or thundering across the battlefield in a
scythe-armed chariot, like the Pharaohs and the Assyrian monarchs, who have left ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/a new kind of king.htm

Palm Branches.
... In fulfilment of Zechariah's prophecy, the meek and lowly Nazarene, seated on no
caparisoned war-horse, but on an unbroken colt, and surrounded with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xviii palm branches.htm

The Death of Saint Andrew.
... He, however, did not lay aside his spear and sword; but old as he was, still clad
in his armour, bestriding his war-horse, and followed by the faithful Murdoch ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter twenty the death of.htm

The Big End of Trouble
... When Alexander the Great was a youth, his father had a war-horse that no one could
ride. The youthful prince made up his mind to conquer the animal. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-three the big end.htm

Walamir and St. Telemachus
... He escaped by the swiftness of his warhorse, and I was with him. We were not really
defeated; all our forces retreated in perfect order beyond the Alps. ...
/.../chapter lix walamir and st.htm

The Return of Christ to the Earth Itself.
... Our Lord comes seated upon a "white horse.". The Greek word intimates a-war-horse
or "charger." Note its color. In Scripture, colors are used emblematically. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/7 the return of christ.htm

The Circumcision of Christ: a Hymn for New Year's Day. So Teach us ...
... Eternity! Eternity! How long art thou, Eternity! And yet to thee Time hastes away,.
Like as the warhorse to the fray,. Or swift as couriers homeward go,. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/the circumcision of christ a.htm

The Adventures of Saint Andrew of Scotland.
... to flight. The third knight who entered wore a black corselet, and his
huge war-horse was covered with a veil of sable silk. In ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eight the adventures of.htm

Job
... xxxix. These are brief and drawn to the life"how vivid are the pictures
of the war-horse and the wild ass!"those of xl., xli. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/job.htm

The Memorable Hymn. "And when they had Sung an Hymn, they Went Out ...
... but He dreads it not; though in the contest His soul will be "exceeding sorrowful
even unto death," yet before it, He is like Job's war-horse, "he saith among ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the memorable hymn and when.htm

War-horse (1 Occurrence)
War-horse. War-horn, War-horse. War-horses . Multi-Version
Concordance War-horse (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 30:31 The ...
/w/war-horse.htm - 6k

Dog (19 Occurrences)
... margin renders "girt in the loins." the Revised Version, margin has "warhorse,"
Hebrew "well ... loins," which might fairly be taken to refer to a warhorse or to ...
/d/dog.htm - 20k

Horse (62 Occurrences)
... occurs often, and in several cases is translated "horse" or "warhorse" (Isaiah 28 ...
9). In Job 39:19-25 we have a magnificent description of a spirited war-horse. ...
/h/horse.htm - 37k

Polygamy
... White bones lie strewn on the flowering mead, In flesh-rank grass grown high and
dark. The carrion bird hath flown-hath died- Riseth the war-horse? Neigheth? ...
/p/polygamy.htm - 19k

Greyhound (1 Occurrence)
... 30:31), the rendering of the Hebrew zarzir mothnayim, meaning literally "girded
as to the lions." Some (Gesen.; RV marg.) render it "war-horse." The LXX. ...
/g/greyhound.htm - 7k

War-horses (6 Occurrences)
War-horses. War-horse, War-horses. Warlike . Multi-Version Concordance
War-horses (6 Occurrences). ... (BBE). War-horse, War-horses. Warlike . Reference
/w/war-horses.htm - 8k

War-horn (3 Occurrences)
War-horn. Warfare, War-horn. War-horse . Multi-Version Concordance War-horn
(3 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Warfare, War-horn. War-horse . Reference Bible.
/w/war-horn.htm - 7k

Rooster (13 Occurrences)
... rooster crowed. (WEB NAS NIV). Proverbs 30:31 The war-horse, and the he-goat,
and the king when his army is with him. (See NAS NIV). ...
/r/rooster.htm - 10k

Strutting (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Strutting (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 30:31 The war-horse,
and the he-goat, and the king when his army is with him. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/strutting.htm - 6k

Striding (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Striding (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 30:31 The war-horse,
and the he-goat, and the king when his army is with him. (See RSV). ...
/s/striding.htm - 7k

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