Word study on horses in the Bible
Rev 6:2. And I looked and behold a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (The crown is stefanos in the Greek and is a crown of victory given to military victors in war. In addition, the bow is used for battles and war in this context.)
Rev 19:11. Now I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse. And he who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
Rev 19:12-15. His eyes were like flames of fire. And on His head were many crowns. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses. Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations. (This is without a doubt Christ going to war against all nations who do not believe in Him and he is using a battle sword)
Zechariah 1:8-11. I saw by night and behold a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. Then I said, “My Lord what are these?” And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they answered the Angel of the Lord, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting.” (These horses are not riding into battle and they do not appear to have weapons. They have walked to and fro throughout the earth and behold all the earth is resting. These horses appear to be scouting horses and watching out for the Lord but not battle horses even though they have colors of white, red and sorrel. It is interesting to notice that there is an absence of the pale and black horses as written in Rev 6:)
Zechariah 6:1-8 Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked and behold, four chariots were coming from between the mountains, and the mountains were bronze. With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses-strong steeds. Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” And the angel answered and said to me, “These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth.
The one with the black horses is going to the north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country. Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might walk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, “Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they walked to and fro throughout the earth. And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to my Rest in the north country.”
(The first thing to notice is the chariots with horses do not have riders riding them. The second point to notice is they do not have weapons and the third point is they are walking and not riding fast. So it is hard to imagine they are battle horses going to war without weapons. Furthermore, these horses with the chariots are spirits walking throughout the earth, analyzing, investigating, watching, and reporting which country is at peace or which country is at war. The north country from Israel was Babylon, and the south country from Israel was Egypt. In addition, pale horses are not mentioned as in Rev 6:).
2 Kings 6:15.16. The context of these verses is that Elisha and his servant were taking refuge in the city of Dothan because the Syrian army were after them. Why? Because Elisha was receiving revelations from God as to the whereabouts of the Syrian army and giving the information to the Israelite king. The Syrian king wanted Elisha captured and so sent his army after Elisha.
Verses 15.16. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him. “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
The army of the Syrians had horses and chariots. So these are horses ready for battle. The horses and chariots from God up in the mountain were also battle horses because they were chariots of fire ready for battle.
Deuteronomy 17:16 (God´s command to Israelite kings) But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, “You shall not return that way again.” Why? Deuteronomy 17:20. That his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right or to the left.
These horses which a king should not have, were purchased from Egypt and were battle horses. King Solomon disregarded this commandment and bought these horses from Egypt. 1 kings 10:26.28. And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. Also Solomon had horses imported from Egypt.
Deuteronomy 20:1. When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you – – -. (Battle horses).
Psalm 20:7. Some trust in chariots, and some trust in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (Battle horses).
Jeremiah 8:6. as the horse rushes into battle.
Joel 2:1.4. (Day of the Lord) People coming to Jerusalem like horses and chariots. Verse 5 like a strong people (Babylon) set in battle array. (Battle horses).
Zechariah 9:10. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations. (Battle horse).
Rev 6:2. (White horse) He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him and he went out conquering to conquer. (Battle horse and a rider with a crown of victory as used in the military).
Rev 6:4. (Fiery red horse) And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another, and there was given to him a great sword. (Battle horse).
Rev 6:5.6. (Black horse) He who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “— do not harm the oil and the wine.” (Battle horse).
Rev 6:8. (Pale horse) And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Battle horse).
Rev 9:7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle.
Rev 9:17.18. I saw the horses in vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red – – – and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and brimstone. By these plagues a third of mankind was killed. (Battle horses).
Rev 19:11. Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithfull and True and in righteousness He judges and makes war. (White horse is a battle horse).
Rev 19:14. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses. (White horses are battle horses).
Rev 19:19. And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him who sat on the horse and against his army. (White horse is a battle horse).
Rev 19:21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of him who sat on the horse. (Battle horse).
Conclusion
Horses in the Bible are used and related to war, battle, army, to conquer, to kill, death and hades, hunger, plagues, judgment, military and a new king should not multiply horses but trust in God. In addition, horses without riders and weapons, were used by God to search and scout the earth and see what was happening amongst the nations. Fx. Zechariah 1: 6: