Lexical Summary chalinos: Bridle, bit Original Word: χαλινός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bit, bridle. From chalao; a curb or head-stall (as curbing the spirit) -- bit, bridle. see GREEK chalao NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition a bridle NASB Translation bits (1), bridles (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5469: χλινοςχλινος, χλινου, ὁ (χαλάω), a bridle: James 3:3; Revelation 14:20. (From Aeschylus and Pindar down.) Topical Lexicon Definition in Context The noun χαλινός points to the bridle or bit placed in the mouth of a horse, together with the reins used to guide the animal. Scripture employs the word concretely for the literal gear (Revelation 14:20) and figuratively for the spiritual principle of restraint and direction (James 3:3). Occurrences in the New Testament 1. James 3:3 – “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.” Old Testament Background The Septuagint preserves the same Greek term in passages such as Psalm 32:9; Psalm 39:1; Isaiah 30:28; and Isaiah 37:29, where “bit and bridle” symbolize God’s control over stubborn people and hostile nations. This continuity unites both Testaments in presenting the bridle as an image of restraint under divine sovereignty. Historical Setting In the Greco-Roman world, cavalry warfare, chariot racing, and agricultural labor depended on reliable bridles. Leather straps held a metal bit that rested on the horse’s tongue, with reins extending to the rider’s hands. Every first-century reader understood that even a powerful war-horse was useless without this simple device. The biblical writers leverage that familiarity to teach spiritual truths. Themes and Theology • Human Self-Control. James 3 uses the bridle as the opening illustration in a discussion of the tongue. Just as a small bit masters a large horse, disciplined speech masters the whole body. The comparison shows that sanctified words are a primary instrument of godly self-governance (James 3:2-6). • Divine Judgment. Revelation 14:20 portrays eschatological wrath with blood reaching “up to the bridles.” The image combines the horror of battlefield carnage with the specific height of a horse’s headgear. God’s judgment will be neither partial nor accidental; it will rise to a clear, measured line set by His justice. • Sovereign Guidance. Psalm 32:9 warns against being “like a horse or a mule” that must be controlled by bit and bridle. The connection with James 3 suggests that the Spirit’s internal guidance is preferable to external compulsion. A life willingly surrendered to God needs no harsh restraint. Ministry Significance 1. Spiritual Formation – Teaching believers to “bridle the tongue” becomes a practical pathway to maturity. Small group leaders and counselors may draw on James 3:3 to stress the strategic place of speech in sanctification. 2. Preaching on Judgment – Revelation 14:20 provides sobering material for evangelistic messages. The vivid height—up to the bridles—dramatizes the certainty and scale of divine retribution apart from the cross. 3. Discipleship of Young Believers – The concrete picture of reins helps children and new converts grasp the concept of yielding control to Christ. Object lessons using an actual bit or reins can reinforce dependence on the Lord’s guidance. 4. Counseling Stubbornness – Psalm 32:9 and Isaiah 37:29 challenge rebellious hearts, reminding them that God can employ external force (“hooks” and “bridles”) if internal submission is lacking. Cross-References for Further Study Genesis 24:31; Job 30:11; Psalm 141:3; Proverbs 25:28; Matthew 12:36-37; 1 Peter 3:10; Revelation 19:15. Doctrinal Reflection The bridle underscores several doctrines: human depravity that requires restraint, sanctification that produces Spirit-enabled self-control, and eschatology that culminates in righteous judgment. Together these texts affirm God’s consistent purpose—from Genesis through Revelation—to bring all creation under the gentle yet firm reign of His Messiah. Forms and Transliterations χάλικες χαλίκων χαλινόν χαλινους χαλινούς χαλινοὺς χαλινώ χαλινων χαλινών χαλινῶν χαλκείοις χαλκείον χάλκειον chalinon chalinôn chalinōn chalinō̂n chalinous chalinoùsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance James 3:3 N-AMPGRK: ἵππων τοὺς χαλινοὺς εἰς τὰ NAS: we put the bits into the horses' KJV: Behold, we put bits in the horses' INT: horses the bits in the Revelation 14:20 N-GMP Strong's Greek 5469 |
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