Reference: Horse
Easton
always referred to in the Bible in connection with warlike operations, except Isa 28:28. The war-horse is described Job 39:19-25. For a long period after their settlement in Canaan the Israelites made no use of horses, according to the prohibition, De 17:16. David was the first to form a force of cavalry (2Sa 8:4). But Solomon, from his connection with Egypt, greatly multiplied their number (1Ki 4:26; 10:26,29). After this, horses were freely used in Israel (1Ki 22:4; 2Ki 3:7; 9:21,33; 11:16). The furniture of the horse consisted simply of a bridle (Isa 30:28) and a curb (Ps 32:9).
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But in any wise let him not hold too many horses, that he bring not the people again to Egypt through the multitude of horses, forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, 'Ye shall henceforth go no more again that way.'
And David took a thousand and seven hundred horsemen of his, and twenty thousand footmen, and destroyed all his chariots - reserving one hundred of them.
And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for chariots and twelve thousand horsemen.
And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: so that he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he bestowed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
A chariot came out of Egypt for six hundred sicles of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. And even so, by the hands of the said merchants, horses were brought out for all the kings of the Hittites and for the kings of Syria.
And he said unto Jehoshaphat, "Wilt thou go with me to battle, to Ramoth in Gilead?" And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, "I will be as thou art, and my people shall be as thine, and my horses as thine."
"Hast thou given the horse his strength? Or learned him to bow down his neck with fear: that he letteth himself be driven forth like a grasshopper, whereas the stout neighing that he maketh, is fearful? read more. He breaketh the ground with the hooves of his feet cheerfully in his strength, and runneth to meet the harness men. He layeth aside all fear, his stomach is not abated, neither starteth he a back for any sword. Though the quivers rattle upon him, though the spear and shield glister; yet rusheth he in fearlessly, and beateth upon the ground. He feareth not the noise of the trumpets, but as soon as he heareth the shawmes blow, 'Tush,' sayeth he; for he smelleth the battle afar off, the noise, the Captains and the shouting.
Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding, whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, if they will not obey thee.
As for the wheat, he grindeth it to make bread thereof; Inasmuch as he cannot bring it to pass with treading out. For neither the bruising that the cart wheels make, nor his beasts, can grind it.
His breath is like a vehement flood of water, which goeth up to the throat. That he may take away the people, which have turned themselves unto vanity, and the bridle of error, that lieth in other folks' jaws.
Fausets
In Scripture used for war-like purposes, not agriculture (except in treading out grain for threshing, Isa 28:28, where for "horsemen" translated "horses".) Job's magnificent description refers to the war horse (Isa 39:8), "hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?" i.e. with the power of inspiring terror. Rather "with majesty" (Umbreit), "with quivering mane" (Maurer). The Greek connection between mane (fobee) and terror (fobos) favors A.V. which is more poetic. "Canst thou make him afraid (rather 'make him spring') as a grasshopper?" So in Joe 2:4 war horses are compared to locusts. Their heads are so like that the Italian for "locust" is cavaletta, "little horse." "The glory of his nostrils is terrible: he paweth in the valley and rejoiceth in strength, he goeth on," etc.; "he swalloweth the ground with fierceness," i.e. draws it in fierce impatience toward him with his hoof, as if he would "swallow" it.
Neither believeth he (for joy) that it is the sound of the trumpet, rather "he will not stand still at the sound." "He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha!" his mettlesome neighing expressing his eagerness for battle, which "he smelleth," snuffeth, i.e. discerneth, "the thunder (i.e. thundering voice) of the captains." (See CHARIOT.) The donkey is the emblem of peace. The bride is compared to "a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots" (Song 1:9), namely, in ardor and beauty (Song 1:4, "run"; Song 1:5, "comely"), and in forming "a company" militant, orderly, and numerous (Re 19:7,14). The qualities which seemed preeminent in the enemy Pharaoh's hosts at the Red Sea really belonged to Israel. Maurer translated "I compare thee to my mare in chariots of (i.e. received from) Pharaoh," but the plural "chariots" requires the collective sense "a company of horses."
The "cutting off of the horse from Jerusalem" prophetically symbolizes the cessation of war (Zec 9:10). Not the horse's speed or utility but his "strength" is his characteristic in Scripture (Ps 33:17). Two names are used in Hebrew, both Persian in origin: sus from Susa, and parash from Pares. The sus was of stronger make, used for the war chariot; the parash more for riding. Perhaps in Ex 14:9 "horsemen" mean "chariot riders." Certainly no Egyptian monument represents horsemen. Translated in 1Ki 4:26, "forty (rather 'four,' a copyist's error, as 2Ch 9:25 proves. Also 1400 chariots suit 4000 horses, two horses for each chariot and a reserve horse: 2Ch 1:14; 1Ki 10:26) thousand chariot horses and twelve thousand riding (i.e. cavalry) horses"; Eze 27:14, "with (chariot) horses and riding horses" (KJV "horsemen".)
Isa 21:7, "a chariot with a couple of horsemen"; rather "a cavalcade of horsemen riding in pairs." In 1Ki 4:28; Es 8:14; Mic 1:13, rekesh "dromedary"; rather "a courser," a "racehorse," for such purposes as the royal post. In 1Ki 10:28-29, the sense seems that the Egyptians regularly brought horses to a mart in S. Palestine (Septuagint and Vulgate name the mart in their translation), of the Hebrew Koa. In A. V. Mi-Kveh is translated "linen yarn") and handed them to the king's dealers at a fixed price, 150 shekels for one horse, 600 for a chariot, including its two draught horses and one reserve horse. In Ge 12:15 horses are not mentioned among the possessions which Abram acquired during his sojourn in Egypt. But in Ge 47:17 they stand foremost among the Egyptians' possessions. In later times, the greater contact of Egypt with Canaanite and Arab nomads' accounts for the introduction of horses.
The camel, one of Abram's possessions in Egypt, is not mentioned in Joseph's time nor on the Egyptian monuments. Their early possession of the desert of Sinai makes it certain they knew and must have used the camel there, "the ship of the desert," but they avoid mentioning it as being unclean. Saddles were not used until a late period. Horses' hoofs hard "as flint" were a good point in days when shoeing was unknown (Isa 5:28). White horses were emblematic of victory (Re 6:2; 19:11,14). Horses were consecrated to the sun, since that luminary was supposed to drive a fiery chariot through the sky (2Ki 23:11). They were driven in procession to meet the rising sun.
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And Pharaoh's lords saw her also, and praised her unto Pharaoh, so that she was taken into Pharaoh's house;
And they brought their cattle unto Joseph. And he gave them bread for horses and sheep, and oxen and asses: so he fed them with bread for all their cattle that year.
And the Egyptians followed after them and overtook them where they pitched by the sea, with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh and with his horsemen and his host: even fast by the entering of Hiroth before Baalzephon.
And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for chariots and twelve thousand horsemen.
And as for barley and straw for the horses and beasts they brought unto the places where the officers were, every man in his office.
And Solomon's horses came out of Egypt from Kue: the merchants fetched them from Kue at a price. A chariot came out of Egypt for six hundred sicles of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. And even so, by the hands of the said merchants, horses were brought out for all the kings of the Hittites and for the kings of Syria.
He put down the horses that the kings of Israel had given to the son at the entering of the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain which was the ruler of the suburbs, and burnt the chariots of the sun with fire.
And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: that he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he bestowed in the chariot cities and about the king at Jerusalem.
And Solomon had four thousand mangers of horses and chariots for them, and twelve thousand horsemen. And he bestowed them in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
And the posts that rode upon the Mules made haste with all speed, according to the king's word: and the commandment was devised in the castle of Susa.
A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man; neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.
Draw thou me unto thee; we will run after thee. The king hath brought me into his privy chamber: We will be glad and rejoice in thee, we think more of thy love than of wine. They that be righteous love thee. I am black, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, like as the tents of the Kedarenes, and as the hangings of Solomon: but yet am I fair and well favored withal.
There will I tarry for thee, my love, with mine host and with my chariots, which shall be no fewer than Pharaoh's.
Their arrows are sharp, and their bows bent. Their horses' hoofs are like flint, and their cart wheels like a stormy wind.
And when he had waited diligently, he saw two horsemen: the one riding upon an Ass, the other upon a camel.
As for the wheat, he grindeth it to make bread thereof; Inasmuch as he cannot bring it to pass with treading out. For neither the bruising that the cart wheels make, nor his beasts, can grind it.
Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, "Good is the word of God which thou hast told me." He said moreover, "For there shall be peace and faithfulness in my time."
They of the house of Togarmah brought unto thee at the time of thy mart, horse, horsemen and mules.
They are to look upon like bairded horses, and run like horsemen.
The great noise of the chariots shall fear them that dwell at Lachish, which is an occasion of the sin of the daughter of Zion, for in thee came up the wickedness of Israel.
I will root out the chariots from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, the battle bows shall be destroyed. He shall give the doctrine of peace unto the Heathen, and his dominion shall be from the one sea to the other, and from the floods to the ends of the world.
And I saw, and behold there was a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering and for to overcome.
Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to him: for the marriage of the lamb is come, and his wife made herself ready.
And I saw heaven open, and behold a white horse: and he that sat upon him was faithful and true, and in righteousness did judge and make battle.
And the warriors which were in heaven, followed him upon white horses, clothed with white and pure raynes:
And the warriors which were in heaven, followed him upon white horses, clothed with white and pure raynes:
Hastings
The Israelites must have been acquainted with horses in Egypt (Ge 47:17), and it is evident, too, from the Tell el-Amarna correspondence that horses were familiar animals in Palestine at an early period; but it would appear that the children of Israel were slow in adopting them. Throughout the OT up to the Exile they appear only as war-horses; the ass, the mule, and the camel were the beasts for riding and burden-bearing. Even for warlike purposes horses were only slowly adopted, the mountainous regions held by the Israelites being unsuitable for chariot warfare. David commenced acquiring chariots (2Sa 8:4), and Solomon greatly added to their numbers, obtaining horses for them from Musri [not Mizraim, 'Egypt'] in N. Syria and Kue, in Cilicia (1Ki 10:28; 2Ch 1:16 [amending the text]). Horses were obtained also from Egypt (31/1/type/mstc'>Isa 31:1,3; Eze 17:15). Some of the references may be to hired horsemen. The kings of Israel were warned against multiplying horses (De 17:16). Trust in horses is put in antithesis to trust in the Lord (Isa 30:16; Ps 20:7; 33:17). Before the reforms of Josiah, horses sacred to the sun were kept in the Temple (2Ki 23:11; cf. 2Ki 11:16). The appearance of the war-horse seems to have made a deep impression (Job 39:19-25; Jer 47:3; Na 3:2 etc.). After the Exile horses were much more common: the returning Jews brought 736 horses with them (Ne 7:68). Horses were fed on barley and tibn (chopped straw) in Solomon's time as in Palestine to-day (1Ki 4:28). Although the breeding of horses has become so intimately associated with our ideas of the Arabs, it would seem that during the whole OT period horses were unknown, or at least scarce, in Arabia. The equipment of horses is mentioned in the Bible
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And they brought their cattle unto Joseph. And he gave them bread for horses and sheep, and oxen and asses: so he fed them with bread for all their cattle that year.
But in any wise let him not hold too many horses, that he bring not the people again to Egypt through the multitude of horses, forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, 'Ye shall henceforth go no more again that way.'
And David took a thousand and seven hundred horsemen of his, and twenty thousand footmen, and destroyed all his chariots - reserving one hundred of them.
And as for barley and straw for the horses and beasts they brought unto the places where the officers were, every man in his office.
And Solomon's horses came out of Egypt from Kue: the merchants fetched them from Kue at a price.
And they laid hands on her, and she went the way that the horses of the kings went out and was slain there.
He put down the horses that the kings of Israel had given to the son at the entering of the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain which was the ruler of the suburbs, and burnt the chariots of the sun with fire.
seven hundred and six and thirty horses, two hundred and five and forty Mules,
"Hast thou given the horse his strength? Or learned him to bow down his neck with fear: that he letteth himself be driven forth like a grasshopper, whereas the stout neighing that he maketh, is fearful? read more. He breaketh the ground with the hooves of his feet cheerfully in his strength, and runneth to meet the harness men. He layeth aside all fear, his stomach is not abated, neither starteth he a back for any sword. Though the quivers rattle upon him, though the spear and shield glister; yet rusheth he in fearlessly, and beateth upon the ground. He feareth not the noise of the trumpets, but as soon as he heareth the shawmes blow, 'Tush,' sayeth he; for he smelleth the battle afar off, the noise, the Captains and the shouting.
Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding, whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, if they will not obey thee.
A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man; neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.
Unto the horse belongeth a whip, to the Ass a bridle, and a rod to the fool's back.
Their arrows are sharp, and their bows bent. Their horses' hoofs are like flint, and their cart wheels like a stormy wind.
For ye have said, "No, but we will escape through horses!" Therefore shall ye flee. And, "We will get us up upon swift beasts!" Therefore shall your persecutors be swifter.
Woe be unto them that go down into Egypt for help, and trust in horses, and comfort themselves in chariots, because they be many, and in horsemen because they be lusty and strong. But they regard not the holy one of Israel, and they ask no question at the LORD.
Now the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses flesh, and not spirit. And as soon as the LORD stretcheth out his hand: then shall the helper fall, and he that should have been helped, and they shall all together be destroyed.
shall mourn at the noise and stamping of their strong barbed horses, at the shaking of their chariots and at the rumbling of the wheels. The fathers shall not look to their children, so feeble and weary shall their hands be:
But he fell from him, and sent his Ambassadors into Egypt that he might have horses and much people. Should that prosper? Should he be kept safe, that doth such things? Or should he escape, that breaketh his covenant?
Dedan occupied with thee, in fair tapestry work and cushions.
There a man may hear scourging, rushing, the noise of the wheels, the crying of the horses, and the rolling of the chariots.
At that time shall the riding gear of the horses be holy unto the LORD, and the kettles in the LORD's house shall be like the basins before the altar:
Morish
The horse was used among the Israelites only for war, either in chariots or for what is now called cavalry; but its use betokened failure in confidence on the Lord: see Ho 14:3. They had been forbidden to multiply horses, De 17:16; and at first they hamstrung the horses, and burnt the chariots of the Canaanites. Jos 11:6,9. David, however, after the defeat of Hadadezer, reserved 100 horses for chariots. 2Sa 8:4. (See a description of the war-horse in Job 39:19-25.) Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen. 1Ki 4:26.
Symbolically the horse represents careering imperial power, in general providentially controlled. In the early part of Zechariah the prophet had visions of horses of different colours, they are called spirits of the heavens, and as such they acted in the four great Gentile empires described by Daniel. When these are further spoken of, the red horses are not named, for the Chaldean empire had passed away when Zechariah saw the vision. Zec 1:8; 6:1-7.
In the Revelation also there are horses and riders thereon, representing the powers engaged in the providential course of God's dealings. Re 6:1-8; cf. 9/7/type/mstc'>Re 9:7,9,17. In Rev. 19 the Lord Jesus, the Faithful and True, comes forth on a white horse, to make war in righteousness. Re 19:11-21. See REVELATION.
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But in any wise let him not hold too many horses, that he bring not the people again to Egypt through the multitude of horses, forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, 'Ye shall henceforth go no more again that way.'
And the LORD said unto Joshua, "Be not afraid of them: for tomorrow about this time I will deliver them all slain, before all Israel: and thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire."
And Joshua served them as the LORD bade him, houghed their horses and burnt their chariots with fire.
And David took a thousand and seven hundred horsemen of his, and twenty thousand footmen, and destroyed all his chariots - reserving one hundred of them.
And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for chariots and twelve thousand horsemen.
"Hast thou given the horse his strength? Or learned him to bow down his neck with fear: that he letteth himself be driven forth like a grasshopper, whereas the stout neighing that he maketh, is fearful? read more. He breaketh the ground with the hooves of his feet cheerfully in his strength, and runneth to meet the harness men. He layeth aside all fear, his stomach is not abated, neither starteth he a back for any sword. Though the quivers rattle upon him, though the spear and shield glister; yet rusheth he in fearlessly, and beateth upon the ground. He feareth not the noise of the trumpets, but as soon as he heareth the shawmes blow, 'Tush,' sayeth he; for he smelleth the battle afar off, the noise, the Captains and the shouting.
Assyria shall not save us, neither will we ride on horses: neither will we say to the works of our own hands, 'Ye are our Gods,' for thou hast compassion on the friendless.
"I saw by night, and lo, there sat one upon a red horse, and stood still among the Myrtle trees, that were beneath upon the ground: and behind him were there red, speckled and white horses.
Moreover I turned me, lifting up mine eyes, and looked: and behold, there came four chariots out from betwixt two hills, which hills were of brass: In the first chariot were red horses, in the second chariot were black horses, read more. in the third chariot were white horses, in the fourth chariot were horses of divers colours and strong. Then spake I and said unto the angel that talked with me, 'O lord, what are these?' The angel answered, and said unto me, 'These are the four winds of the heaven, which be come forth to stand before the ruler of all the earth. That with the black horses went in to the land of the north, and the white followed them, and the speckled horses went forth toward the south. These horses were very strong, and went out: and sought to go and take their journey over the whole earth.' And he said, 'Get you hence, and go through the world.' So they went throughout the world.
And I saw when the lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four beasts say, as it were the noise of thunder, "Come and see." And I saw, and behold there was a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering and for to overcome. read more. And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, "Come and see." And there went out another horse that was red, and power was given to him that sat thereon, to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. And there was given unto him a great sword. And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, "Come and see." And I beheld, and lo, a black horse: and he that sat on him, had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny: and oil and wine see thou hurt not." And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, "Come and see." And I looked. And behold, a green horse; and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed after him, and power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, that cometh of vermin of the earth.
And the similitude of the locusts was like unto horses prepared unto battle, and on their heads were as it were crowns, like unto gold: and their faces were as it had been the faces of men.
And they had habergeons, as it were habergeons of iron. And the sound of their wings, was as the sound of chariots when many horses run together to battle.
And thus I saw the horses in a vision, and them that sat on them, having fiery habergeons of a Jacinth colour, and brimstone, and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions. And out of their mouths went forth fire and smoke and brimstone.
And I saw heaven open, and behold a white horse: and he that sat upon him was faithful and true, and in righteousness did judge and make battle. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew but himself. read more. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called the word of God. And the warriors which were in heaven, followed him upon white horses, clothed with white and pure raynes: and out of his mouth went out a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the heathen. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and he trod the wine-vat of fierceness and wrath of almighty God. And hath on his vesture and on his thigh, a name written, "King of Kings, and Lord of lords." And I saw an angel stand in the sun, and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly by the midst of heaven, "Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God, that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and of high captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all free men and bond men, and of small and great." And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and their warriors gathered together to make battle against him that sat on the horse and against his soldiers. And the beast was taken, and with him that false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that received the beast's mark, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast into a pond of fire burning with brimstone: and the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth, and all the fowls were fulfilled with their flesh.
Smith
Horse.
The most striking feature in the biblical notices of the horse is the exclusive application of it to warlike operations; in no instance is that useful animal employed for the purposes of ordinary locomotion or agriculture, if we except
The animated description of the horse in
applies solely to the war-horse. The Hebrews in the patriarchal age, as a pastoral race, did not stand in need of the services Of the horse, and for a long period after their settlement in Canaan they dispensed with it, partly in consequence of the hilly nature of the country, which only admitted of the use of chariots in certain localities,
and partly in consequence to the prohibition in
De 17:16
which would be held to apply at all periods. David first established a force of cavalry and chariots,
but the great supply of horses was subsequently effected by Solomon through his connection with Egypt.
Solomon also established a very active trade in horses, which were brought by dealers out of Egypt and resold, at a profit, to the Hittites. With regard to the trappings and management of the horse we have little information. The bridle was placed over the horse's nose,
and a bit or curb is also mentioned.
2Ki 19:28; Ps 32:9; Pr 26:3; Isa 37:29
In the Authorized Version it is incorrectly given "bridle," with the exception of
... Saddles were not used until a late period. The horses were not shod, and therefore hoofs are hard "as flint,"
were regarded as a great merit. The chariot-horses were covered with embroidered trappings
Horses and chariots were used also in idolatrous processions, as noticed in regard to the sun.
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But in any wise let him not hold too many horses, that he bring not the people again to Egypt through the multitude of horses, forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, 'Ye shall henceforth go no more again that way.'
And the LORD was with Judah that he conquered the mountains, but they could not drive out the inhabiters of the valleys, because they had chariots of iron.
And David took a thousand and seven hundred horsemen of his, and twenty thousand footmen, and destroyed all his chariots - reserving one hundred of them.
And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for chariots and twelve thousand horsemen.
And because thou settest up thy bristles against me, and that thy raging is come up to mine ears: therefore I will put a ring in thy nose and a bit in thy lips, and will bring thee back again the same way thou camest.
He put down the horses that the kings of Israel had given to the son at the entering of the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain which was the ruler of the suburbs, and burnt the chariots of the sun with fire.
"Hast thou given the horse his strength? Or learned him to bow down his neck with fear: that he letteth himself be driven forth like a grasshopper, whereas the stout neighing that he maketh, is fearful? read more. He breaketh the ground with the hooves of his feet cheerfully in his strength, and runneth to meet the harness men. He layeth aside all fear, his stomach is not abated, neither starteth he a back for any sword. Though the quivers rattle upon him, though the spear and shield glister; yet rusheth he in fearlessly, and beateth upon the ground. He feareth not the noise of the trumpets, but as soon as he heareth the shawmes blow, 'Tush,' sayeth he; for he smelleth the battle afar off, the noise, the Captains and the shouting.
Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding, whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, if they will not obey thee.
Unto the horse belongeth a whip, to the Ass a bridle, and a rod to the fool's back.
Their arrows are sharp, and their bows bent. Their horses' hoofs are like flint, and their cart wheels like a stormy wind.
As for the wheat, he grindeth it to make bread thereof; Inasmuch as he cannot bring it to pass with treading out. For neither the bruising that the cart wheels make, nor his beasts, can grind it.
His breath is like a vehement flood of water, which goeth up to the throat. That he may take away the people, which have turned themselves unto vanity, and the bridle of error, that lieth in other folks' jaws.
Therefore thy furiousness against me, and thy pride is come before me. I will put a ring in thy nose, and a bridle bit in the jaws of thee, and turn thee about, even the same way thou camest.
Dedan occupied with thee, in fair tapestry work and cushions.
Watsons
HORSE, ???. Horses were very rare among the Hebrews in the early ages. The patriarchs had none; and after the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, God expressly forbade their ruler to procure them: "He shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way," De 17:16. As horses appear to have been generally furnished by Egypt, God prohibits these,
1. Lest there should be such commerce with Egypt as might lead to idolatry.
2. Lest the people might depend on a well appointed cavalry, as a means of security, and so cease from trusting in the promised aid and protection of Jehovah.
3. That they might not be tempted to extend their dominion by means of cavalry, and so get scattered among the surrounding idolatrous nations, and thus cease in process of time, to be that distinct and separate people which God intended they should be, and without which the prophecies relative to the Messiah could not be known to have their due and full accomplishment. In the time of the Judges we find horses and war chariots among the Canaanites, but still the Israelites had none; and hence they were generally too timid to venture down into the plains, confining their conquests to the mountainous parts of the country. In the reign of Saul, it would appear, that horse breeding had not yet been introduced into Arabia; for, in a war with some of the Arabian nations, the Israelites got plunder in camels, sheep, and asses, but no horses. David's enemies brought against him a strong force of cavalry into the field; and in the book of Psalms the horse commonly appears only on the side of the enemies of the people of God; and so entirely unaccustomed to the management of this animal had the Israelites still continued, that, after a battle, in which they took a considerable body of cavalry prisoners, 2Sa 8:4, David caused most of the horses to be cut down, because he did not know what use to make of them. Solomon was the first who established a cavalry force. Under these circumstances, it is not wonderful that the Mosaic law should take no notice of an animal which we hold in such high estimation. To Moses, educated as he was in Egypt, and, with his people, at last chased out by Pharaoh's cavalry, the use of the horse for war and for travelling was well known; but as it was his object to establish a nation of husbandmen, and not of soldiers for the conquest of foreign lands, and as Palestine, from its situation, required not the defence of cavalry, he might very well decline introducing among his people the yet unusual art of horse breeding. Solomon, having married a daughter of Pharaoh, procured a breed of horses from Egypt; and so greatly did he multiply them, that he had four hundred stables, forty thousand stalls, and twelve thousand horsemen, 1Ki 4:26; 2Ch 9:25. It seems that the Egyptian horses were in high repute, and were much used in war. When the Israelites were disposed to place too implicit confidence in the assistance of cavalry, the prophet remonstrated in these terms: "The Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses are flesh, not spirit," Isa 31:3.
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But in any wise let him not hold too many horses, that he bring not the people again to Egypt through the multitude of horses, forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, 'Ye shall henceforth go no more again that way.'
And David took a thousand and seven hundred horsemen of his, and twenty thousand footmen, and destroyed all his chariots - reserving one hundred of them.
And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for chariots and twelve thousand horsemen.
Now the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses flesh, and not spirit. And as soon as the LORD stretcheth out his hand: then shall the helper fall, and he that should have been helped, and they shall all together be destroyed.