The Horse

In Scripture the horse is above all an animal of war. God asked Job, 'Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?', describing a creature that 'mocketh at fear' and charges into battle. Because horses and chariots were the strength of empires, Israel's kings were told not to multiply horses, and the psalmist declared, 'Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.' In Revelation horses carry the riders of the first four seals, and at the end Christ himself rides a white horse, called Faithful and True.

0:00

Strongest connections in Scripture

Job 39 Revelation 19

Key Passages

Hast Thou Given the Horse Strength?

Job 39:19-25

God's description of the fearless war-horse is part of his answer to Job - a reminder of the Creator's power and wisdom in all he has made.

H¹⁹ast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

²⁰ Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. ²¹ He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. ²² He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. ²³ The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. ²⁴ He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. ²⁵ He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

The Rider on the White Horse

Revelation 19:11-16

Christ returns as the faithful and true King, riding a white horse at the head of heaven's armies.

A¹¹nd I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

¹² 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 he himself. ¹³ And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵ And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.