Galloping
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Galloping, a term often associated with the swift movement of horses, is a vivid image used in the Bible to convey speed, urgency, and sometimes impending judgment. While the specific term "galloping" may not frequently appear in English translations of the Bible, the concept is present in various passages that describe the rapid movement of horses, particularly in the context of battle or divine intervention.

Biblical Context and Imagery

In the ancient Near Eastern context, horses were primarily associated with warfare and power. The image of galloping horses often symbolizes the swift execution of God's plans or the rapid advance of armies. This imagery is used to evoke a sense of awe and urgency, highlighting the unstoppable nature of the events being described.

Key Biblical References

1. Jeremiah 4:13 · "Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots come like a whirlwind, his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!" . In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah uses the imagery of swift horses to describe the impending judgment upon Judah. The galloping horses symbolize the rapid approach of Babylonian forces, emphasizing the inevitability and speed of the coming destruction.

2. Nahum 3:2 · "The crack of the whip, the rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot!" . Here, the prophet Nahum describes the chaos and terror of Nineveh's downfall. The sound of galloping horses and the movement of chariots convey the intensity and ferocity of the invading army, underscoring the certainty of divine judgment against the city.

3. Revelation 6:2-8 · In the vision of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the horses and their riders symbolize various forms of divine judgment upon the earth. While the term "galloping" is not explicitly used, the imagery of horses swiftly carrying out their tasks aligns with the concept. The white, red, black, and pale horses represent conquest, war, famine, and death, respectively, each moving with purpose and speed to fulfill God's sovereign will.

Theological Significance

The imagery of galloping horses in the Bible serves to remind believers of the power and authority of God in executing His plans. It underscores the themes of divine judgment, the swiftness of God's actions, and the urgency of repentance. The rapid movement of horses in these contexts often acts as a metaphor for the unstoppable nature of God's will, encouraging believers to remain vigilant and faithful.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In biblical times, horses were highly valued for their speed and strength, particularly in military contexts. The ability of horses to gallop swiftly made them an essential asset in warfare, allowing armies to move quickly and strike with surprise. This historical understanding enhances the biblical imagery, as the original audience would have readily grasped the implications of galloping horses in prophetic and apocalyptic literature.

Overall, the concept of galloping in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of speed, urgency, and divine intervention, reflecting the broader themes of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His purposes throughout history.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Gallop.

2. (a.) Going at a gallop; progressing rapidly; as, a galloping horse.

Strong's Hebrew
1725. dahar -- to rush, dash (of a horse)
... 1724, 1725. dahar. 1726 . to rush, dash (of a horse). Transliteration: dahar
Phonetic Spelling: (daw-har') Short Definition: galloping. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1725.htm - 5k

8161. shaatah -- a stamping (of hooves)
... 8160, 8161. shaatah. 8162 . a stamping (of hooves). Transliteration: shaatah
Phonetic Spelling: (shah'-at-aw) Short Definition: galloping. ...
/hebrew/8161.htm - 6k

6335a. push -- probably to spring about
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition probably to spring about NASB Word Usage galloping
(1), skip about (2). 6335, 6335a. push. 6335b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6335a.htm - 5k

Library

"Yonder Comes Wesley, Galloping"
... Chapter 3. Field-Preaching; "All the World my Parish"; Whitefield; Wales;
Experience with Demons "Yonder Comes Wesley, Galloping". ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/yonder comes wesley galloping.htm

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... O my soul, march on with strength! Then did the horse-hoofs resound With
the galloping, galloping of the powerful steeds. [Sidenote ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/vi the growth of the.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... When did the horse-hoofs resound With the galloping, galloping of their steeds? ... Then
did the horse-hoofs resound With the galloping, galloping of their steeds. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

The Journal of John Wesley
... The New Name of Methodism. An Accident and a Long Sermon. Wesley in Wales. "A Terrible
Sight". "Yonder Comes Wesley, Galloping". The Colliers of Kingswood. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/

The Wonderful Skill with which Origen Prepares Gregory and ...
... us by his argumentation whenever he saw us getting restive under him, like so many
unbroken steeds, and springing out of the course and galloping madly about ...
/.../argument vii the wonderful skill with.htm

The Dark was Lifting as Vergilius Entered the Field of Mars. ...
... was waiting for them on the Adriatic Sea, and Vergilius, Manius, and their escort
sailed to northwestern Macedonia, mounted horses again, galloping over the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 11 the dark was.htm

The Road to Pella
... from him. A Natolian sheep-dog, galloping hither and thither in his labor
at keeping them moving, scented the new-comer. There was ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xxiv the road to.htm

Two Sunsets
... from home. In the early twilight a horseman came galloping down the road
bearing the fateful news that Mother was dying. Quickly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-nine two sunsets.htm

September 20. "They Shall not be Ashamed that Wait" (Isa. Xlix. 23 ...
... him to halt a few minutes at the blacksmith's forge by the way to have the shoe
replaced, and although he heard the feet of his pursuers galloping hard behind ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /september 20 they shall not.htm

The New Name of Methodism
... In my return, a person galloping swiftly rode full against me and overthrew
both man and horse, but without any hurt to either. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the new name of methodism.htm

Thesaurus
Galloping (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Gallop. 2. (a.) Going at a gallop; progressing rapidly;
as, a galloping horse. Multi-Version Concordance Galloping (4 Occurrences). ...
/g/galloping.htm - 7k

Steeds (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Steeds (11 Occurrences). Judges 5:22 "Then loud beat the
horses' hoofs with the galloping, galloping of his steeds. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/steeds.htm - 9k

Beat (85 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Judges 5:22 "Then loud beat the horses' hoofs
with the galloping, galloping of his steeds. (DBY NAS RSV). ...
/b/beat.htm - 35k

Gallop (1 Occurrence)

/g/gallop.htm - 7k

Gallops (1 Occurrence)

/g/gallops.htm - 6k

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... `The crack of the whip and the noise of the rumbling wheel and the galloping horse,
and the jolting chariot and the rearing horsemen; and the flash of the ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

War (529 Occurrences)
... `The crack of the whip and the noise of the rumbling wheel and the galloping horse,
and the jolting chariot and the rearing horsemen; and the flash of the ...
/w/war.htm - 64k

Resources
Galloping: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Galloping (4 Occurrences)

Judges 5:22
"Then loud beat the horses' hoofs with the galloping, galloping of his steeds.
(DBY RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 47:3
At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong ones, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers don't look back to their children for feebleness of hands;
(See NAS NIV)

Nahum 3:2
The noise of the whip, the noise of the rattling of wheels, prancing horses, and bounding chariots,
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Habakkuk 1:8
Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves. Their horsemen press proudly on. Yes, their horsemen come from afar. They fly as an eagle that hurries to devour.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Galloping

Related Terms

Gallows (8 Occurrences)

Galloping (4 Occurrences)

Gallop
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