War-horses in the Bible are emblematic of strength, power, and the might of ancient armies. These animals were integral to warfare in biblical times, serving as a symbol of military prowess and human reliance on physical might. The Bible references war-horses in various contexts, often highlighting the contrast between human reliance on military strength and the divine power of God.

Biblical References:

1. Job 39:19-25 · In this passage, God speaks to Job about the majesty and fearlessness of the war-horse. The description emphasizes the horse's strength, its eagerness for battle, and its unyielding spirit. "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 vivid imagery underscores the war-horse's role as a formidable creature in battle.

2. Psalm 20:7 · The psalmist contrasts trust in war-horses with trust in God: "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" . This verse serves as a reminder that true security and victory come from reliance on God rather than military might.

3. Proverbs 21:31 · This proverb highlights the limitations of human preparations for battle: "A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD" . It underscores the belief that, despite human efforts and the use of war-horses, ultimate success is determined by God's will.

4. Isaiah 31:1 · The prophet Isaiah warns against relying on Egypt's military strength, including their horses: "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the abundance of chariots and in the multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD" . This admonition reflects the biblical theme of trusting in God rather than in human alliances and military resources.

5. Revelation 19:11-16 · In the New Testament, the imagery of a war-horse is used in the apocalyptic vision of Christ's return: "Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse, and its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war" (Revelation 19:11). Here, the war-horse symbolizes divine judgment and the ultimate triumph of Christ.

Symbolism and Themes:

War-horses in the Bible often symbolize human strength and the futility of relying solely on military power. The biblical narrative consistently points to the sovereignty of God over human affairs, emphasizing that true victory and security are found in Him alone. The war-horse serves as a metaphor for the tension between human efforts and divine providence, reminding believers of the importance of faith and trust in God's power and plan.

Throughout Scripture, the depiction of war-horses serves as a powerful reminder of the limitations of human strength and the supremacy of God's will. Whether in the context of ancient Israel's battles or the eschatological visions of Revelation, the war-horse remains a potent symbol of the need to place trust in the Lord above all else.6571a. parash -- a horse, steed
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a horse, steed NASB Word Usage horses
(2), steeds (1), war horses (1). 6571, 6571a. parash. 6571b . ...
/hebrew/6571a.htm - 5k

Translation from the Greek.
... is a varying quantity [2389] among animals, both in a greater and a less degree;
so that the instinct in hunting-dogs and in war-horses approaches somehow, so ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translation from the greek.htm

Translated from Latin of Rufinus.
... no means escape our notice, that in some dumb animals there is found a more regular
movement [2282] than in others, as in hunting-dogs or war-horses, so that ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from latin of rufinus.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... brass for thy merchandise. They of the house of Togarmah traded for thy wares
with horses and war-horses and mules. The men of Dedan ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

Rom. xii. 1
... them. Ye have given them up to another. For even they that furnish (same
word) the war-horses have no further interest in them. And ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xx rom xii 1.htm

Hillis -- God the Unwearied Guide
... and the withered grass? The spirit of the Lord will revive the grass, trampled
down by the hoofs of war horses. Soon the bruised ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/hillis god the unwearied.htm

"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... The tumult of thousands of voices burdened the wind and above this presently arose
the eager and expectant whinnyings of a multitude of war-horses. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliii the pharaoh drew.htm

A Peal of Bells
... very genius and spirit of Christianity go against war altogether, though I must
believe there have been occasions in which the bells of war-horses have been ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/a peal of bells.htm

Zechariah
... Then the mighty war-horses, once the object of His hatred, will be consecrated to
His service, and the number of pilgrims will be so great that every pot in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/zechariah.htm

The Story of Panthea.
... War horses, properly trained to their work, will fight with their hoofs with
almost as much reckless determination as men will with spears. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter x the story of.htm

Disestablishment
... and General Joshua King of Ridgefield, together with Joshua Stow of Middletown
(also on the drafting committee), had been for years the warhorses of the ...
/.../chapter xv disestablishment.htm

War-horses (6 Occurrences)
War-horses. War-horse, War-horses. Warlike . Multi-Version
Concordance War-horses (6 Occurrences). Judges 5:22 Then ...
/w/war-horses.htm - 8k

Horse (62 Occurrences)
... 3. Uses: The horses of the Bible are almost exclusively war-horses, or at
least the property of kings and not of the common people. ...
/h/horse.htm - 37k

Quakes (6 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 8:16 The loud breathing of the horses comes to our ears from Dan: at the
sound of the outcry of his war-horses, all the land is shaking with fear; for ...
/q/quakes.htm - 8k

Loudly (31 Occurrences)
... loudly. (BBE). Judges 5:22 Then loudly the feet of the horses were sounding
with the stamping, the stamping of their war-horses. (BBE). ...
/l/loudly.htm - 15k

Warlike (2 Occurrences)

/w/warlike.htm - 7k

War-horse (1 Occurrence)
War-horse. War-horn, War-horse. War-horses . Multi-Version Concordance
War-horse (1 Occurrence). ... (BBE). War-horn, War-horse. War-horses . Reference
/w/war-horse.htm - 6k

Wares (23 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ezekiel 27:14 They of the house of Togarmah traded for your wares
with horses and warhorses and mules. (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV). ...
/w/wares.htm - 15k

Fills (20 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 8:16 The loud breathing of the horses comes to our ears from Dan: at the
sound of the outcry of his war-horses, all the land is shaking with fear; for ...
/f/fills.htm - 11k

Traded (16 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV NIV). Ezekiel 27:14 They of the house of Togarmah traded
for your wares with horses and warhorses and mules. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/t/traded.htm - 11k

Togarmah (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Ezekiel 27:14 They of the house of Togarmah
traded for your wares with horses and warhorses and mules. ...
/t/togarmah.htm - 9k

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