A war-carriage, often referred to as a chariot in biblical texts, was a significant military asset in ancient times, particularly in the Near Eastern cultures surrounding Israel. These vehicles were typically two-wheeled and drawn by horses, serving as platforms for archers or spearmen. The use of war-carriages is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, highlighting their importance in warfare and their symbolic representation of military power and might.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 14:6-7: The war-carriage is notably mentioned in the account of the Exodus, where Pharaoh's army pursued the Israelites. "So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them." This passage underscores the formidable nature of the Egyptian military, emphasizing the chariot's role in their pursuit.

2. 1 Samuel 8:11: The prophet Samuel warns the Israelites about the implications of having a king, including the conscription of their sons to serve in chariots. "He said, 'This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and they will run before his chariots.'" This reflects the centrality of chariots in royal military strategy.

3. 1 Kings 10:26: King Solomon's accumulation of chariots is recorded, illustrating their status as symbols of wealth and power. "Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem." This passage highlights the strategic and economic significance of chariots during Solomon's reign.

4. 2 Kings 2:11-12: The chariot is also used metaphorically in the account of Elijah's ascension to heaven. "As they continued walking and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. As Elisha watched, he cried out, 'My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!'" Here, the chariot symbolizes divine intervention and power.

5. Psalm 20:7: The psalmist contrasts trust in chariots with trust in God. "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." This verse serves as a theological reminder of the limitations of human military strength compared to divine sovereignty.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, chariots were a technological advancement that revolutionized warfare. They allowed for greater mobility on the battlefield and were often used to break enemy lines or pursue fleeing troops. The construction of chariots required skilled craftsmanship, and their maintenance was a significant logistical concern for any army.

Chariots were typically manned by a driver and one or more warriors, who would be armed with bows, spears, or javelins. The effectiveness of chariots depended on the terrain; they were most useful on flat, open ground and less effective in mountainous or heavily forested areas.

Symbolism and Theological Implications:

In biblical literature, chariots often symbolize human power and military might. However, the scriptures frequently remind the faithful that true security and victory come from reliance on God rather than on military technology or prowess. The imagery of chariots is used to convey both the might of earthly kingdoms and the superior power of divine intervention.

The war-carriage, as a symbol of human strength, serves as a backdrop against which the biblical narrative unfolds, emphasizing the theme of divine sovereignty over human affairs.War-carriage (11 Occurrences)

Exodus 14:6
So he had his war-carriage made ready and took his people with him:
(BBE)

Judges 4:15
And the Lord sent fear on Sisera and all his war-carriages and all his army before Barak; and Sisera got down from his war-carriage and went in flight on foot.
(Root in BBE)

1 Kings 10:29
A war-carriage might be got from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; they got them at the same rate for all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.
(BBE)

1 Kings 22:38
And the war-carriage was washed by the pool of Samaria, which was the bathing-place of the loose women, and the dogs were drinking his blood there, as the Lord had said.
(BBE)

2 Chronicles 1:17
A war-carriage might be got from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: they got them at the same rate for all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.
(BBE)

2 Chronicles 18:34
But the fight became more violent while the day went on; and the king of Israel was supported in his war-carriage facing the Aramaeans till the evening; and by sundown he was dead.
(BBE)

Psalms 68:17
The war-carriage of God is among Israel's thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai to the holy place.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 51:21
With you the horse and the horseman will be broken; with you the war-carriage and he who goes in it will be broken;
(BBE)

Micah 1:13
Let the war-carriage be yoked to the quick-running horse, you who are living in Lachish: she was the first cause of sin to the daughter of Zion; for the wrongdoings of Israel were seen in you.
(BBE)

Zechariah 6:2
In the first war-carriage were red horses; and in the second, black horses;
(BBE)

Zechariah 9:10
And he will have the war-carriage cut off from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be cut off: and he will say words of peace to the nations: and his rule will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
(BBE)

War-carriage (11 Occurrences)
War-carriage. War, War-carriage. War-carriages . Multi-Version
Concordance War-carriage (11 Occurrences). Exodus 14:6 ...
/w/war-carriage.htm - 9k

Rate (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:29 A war-carriage might be got from Egypt for six hundred shekels of
silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; they got them at the same rate for ...
/r/rate.htm - 15k

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)
War-carriages. War-carriage, War-carriages. War-club . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). War-carriage, War-carriages. War-club . Reference Bible.
/w/war-carriages.htm - 31k

Yoked (10 Occurrences)
... Micah 1:13 Let the war-carriage be yoked to the quick-running horse, you who are
living in Lachish: she was the first cause of sin to the daughter of Zion; for ...
/y/yoked.htm - 9k

Quick-running (4 Occurrences)
... Micah 1:13 Let the war-carriage be yoked to the quick-running horse, you who are
living in Lachish: she was the first cause of sin to the daughter of Zion; for ...
/q/quick-running.htm - 7k

Wrongdoings (4 Occurrences)
... Micah 1:13 Let the war-carriage be yoked to the quick-running horse, you who are
living in Lachish: she was the first cause of sin to the daughter of Zion; for ...
/w/wrongdoings.htm - 7k

Bathing-place (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Kings 22:38 And the war-carriage was washed by the pool of Samaria, which was
the bathing-place of the loose women, and the dogs were drinking his blood there ...
/b/bathing-place.htm - 6k

Sundown (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 18:34 But the fight became more violent while the day went on; and
the king of Israel was supported in his war-carriage facing the Aramaeans till ...
/s/sundown.htm - 9k

Supported (43 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 18:34 But the fight became more violent while the day went on; and
the king of Israel was supported in his war-carriage facing the Aramaeans till ...
/s/supported.htm - 19k

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