Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the "bit" is a small but significant piece of equipment used in the control of horses. It is a part of the bridle that is inserted into the horse's mouth, allowing the rider to direct the animal's movements. The bit is often used metaphorically in Scripture to illustrate the power of small things to influence and control larger entities.
Biblical References:1.
James 3:3 : "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal." This verse is part of a broader discourse on the power of the tongue. James uses the bit as an analogy to demonstrate how something small can exert control over something much larger. Just as a bit can direct a horse, so can the tongue influence the course of a person's life.
2.
Psalm 32:9 : "Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding, but must be controlled by bit and bridle, or they will not come to you." Here, the psalmist advises against being stubborn and unyielding, like an animal that requires a bit and bridle for guidance. The verse underscores the importance of willing submission to God's guidance rather than needing external control.
Symbolism and Interpretation:The bit symbolizes control and guidance. In the biblical context, it often represents the need for discipline and the importance of self-control. The metaphor of the bit is used to illustrate how small, seemingly insignificant things can have a profound impact. This is particularly relevant in discussions about the power of words and the necessity of taming the tongue, as highlighted in the book of James.
The use of the bit in Scripture also serves as a reminder of the importance of yielding to divine guidance. Just as a horse is directed by the bit, believers are encouraged to submit to God's will and allow His wisdom to direct their paths. The imagery of the bit and bridle in
Psalm 32:9 emphasizes the value of understanding and willingly following God's direction, rather than being forced into compliance.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient times, the bit was an essential tool for anyone who worked with horses, whether in agriculture, transportation, or warfare. The ability to control a horse was crucial, and the bit was a simple yet effective means of achieving this control. The familiarity of this tool to the original audience of the biblical texts made it an apt metaphor for illustrating spiritual truths.
The bit's role in controlling a powerful animal like a horse would have been well understood by those living in agrarian societies, where horses were vital for various aspects of daily life. This understanding would have made the metaphor particularly poignant and accessible to the biblical audience.
Theological Implications:The metaphor of the bit in Scripture highlights the importance of self-control and the influence of small actions or words. It serves as a caution against the potential for harm when the tongue is not restrained, as well as an encouragement to seek divine guidance in all aspects of life. The bit's role in guiding a horse is a powerful reminder of the need for believers to submit to God's authority and allow His wisdom to direct their lives.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The curb put into the mouths of horses to restrain them. The Hebrew word (metheg) so rendered in
Psalm 32:9 is elsewhere translated "bridle" (
2 Kings 19:28;
Proverbs 26:3;
Isaiah 37:29). Bits were generally made of bronze or iron, but sometimes also of gold or silver. In
James 3:3 the Authorized Version translates the Greek word by "bits," but the Revised Version by "bridles."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The part of a bridle, usually of iron, which is inserted in the mouth of a horse, and having appendages to which the reins are fastened.
2. (v.) Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains.
3. (v. t.) To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of.
4. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Bite.
5. (n.) A part of anything, such as may be bitten off or taken into the mouth; a morsel; a bite. Hence: A small piece of anything; a little; a mite.
6. (v.) Somewhat; something, but not very great.
7. (n.) A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See Bitstock.
8. (n.) The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers.
9. (n.) The cutting iron of a plane.
10. (v.) In the Southern and Southwestern States, a small silver coin (as the real) formerly current; commonly, one worth about 12 1/2 cents; also, the sum of 12 1/2 cents.
11. (p. p.) 3d sing. pr. of Bid, for biddeth.
12. (imp.) of Bite
13. (p. p.) of Bite
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BIT AND BRIDLEbri'-d'-l (methegh wa-recen): The two words occur in conjunction (Psalm 32:9 the King James Version, "Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee"; the Revised Version (British and American)) "else they will not come near unto thee," margin, "that they come not near." Methegh, translated "bit" above, is properly a bridle or halter in which the bit was a loop passed round the under jaw of the animal; recen has a similar meaning. The counsel in the verse is that men should render a willing obedience to God and not be like the animals that man has to bridle and curb in order to get them to do his will. CompareJames 3:3, where we have "bit" as translation of chalinos, "a bit" or "curb," "We put bits (the Revised Version (British and American) "bridles") in the horses' mouths that they may obey us." "Bridle" occurs separately as translation of methegh (2 Samuel 8:1), "David took Metheg-ammah," King James Version margin "the bridle of Ammah," the Revised Version (British and American) "the bridle of the mother city," margin, as the King James Version; the meaning may be that he took the control or dominion of it; "I will put. my bridle in thy lips" (2 Kings 19:28Isaiah 37:29); "a bridle for the ass" (Proverbs 26:3); of recen (Job 30:11), "They have also let loose the bridle before me," the Revised Version (British and American) "and they have cast off the bridle before me" (acted in an unbridled (unrestrained) manner);Job 41:13, said of "leviathan" (the Revised Version (British and American) "the hippopotamus"), "Who can come to him his double bridle?" the American Standard Revised Version "within his jaws?" the English Revised Version "within his double bridle," others, "into the double row of his teeth";Isaiah 30:28, "a bridle in the jaws of the people causing them to err," the Revised Version (British and American) "a bridle that causeth to err"; of machcom, which means "a muzzle" (Psalm 39:1), "I will keep my mouth with a bridle," King James Version margins "Hebrew, a bridle, or muzzle for my mouth"; so the Revised Version, margin.
To "bridle" occurs (James 1:26, "bridleth not his tongue";James 3:2 "able to bridle the whole body"; chalinagogeo, "to lead" or "guide with a bit"). In 1 Esdras 3:6, and 2 Maccabees 10:29, we have "bridles of gold" (chrusochalinos).
W. L. Walker
Greek
5469. chalinos -- a bridle... a bridle. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: chalinos Phonetic Spelling:
(khal-ee-nos') Short Definition: a bridle Definition: a bridle,
bit.
...5596. psomion -- a fragment, morsel
... a fragment, morsel. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: psomion Phonetic
Spelling: (pso-mee'-on) Short Definition: abit, morsel Definition: abit...
2801. klasma -- a broken piece
... broken, fragment. From klao; a piece (bit) -- broken, fragment. see GREEK klao.
(klasmata) -- 2 Occurrences. (klasmaton) -- 7 Occurrences. 2800, 2801....
2772. kerma -- a slice, hence a small coin
... money. From keiro; a clipping (bit), ie (specially) a coin -- money. see GREEK keiro.
(kerma) -- 1 Occurrence. 2771, 2772. kerma. 2773 . Strong's Numbers.
5468. chalinagogeo -- to lead with a bridle
... bridle. From a compound of chalinos and the reduplicated form of ago; to be a
bit-leader, ie To curb (figuratively) -- bridle. see GREEK chalinos. see GREEK ago...
5589. psichion -- a crumb (of bread)
... crumb. Diminutive from a derivative of the base of psallo (meaning a crumb); a little
bit or morsel -- crumb. see GREEK psallo. (psichion) -- 2 Occurrences....
Strong's Hebrew
6595. path -- fragment,bit, morsel... path. 6596 . fragment,
bit, morsel. Transliteration: path Phonetic Spelling:
(path) Short Definition: piece.
... From pathath; a
bit -- meat, morsel, piece.
...3955. lashad -- juice, juicy or daintybit, a dainty
... 3954, 3955. lashad. 3956 . juice, juicy or daintybit, a dainty. Transliteration:
lashad Phonetic Spelling: (lesh-ad') Short Definition: baked....
6604b. pathoth -- a fragment,bit, morsel (of bread)
... 6604a, 6604b. pathoth. 6605 . a fragment,bit, morsel (of bread).
Transliteration: pathoth Short Definition: fragments. Word Origin...
4964. metheg -- a bridle
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a bridle NASB Word Usagebit
(1), bridle (3), control (1).bit, bridle. From an unused...
1917. haddam -- a member, limb
... piece. (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to that of hadom; something stamped to
pieces, ie Abit -- piece. see HEBREW hadom. 1916, 1917. haddam. 1918 ....
7170. qerats -- a piece
... accuse. (Aramaic) corresponding to qerets in the sense of abit (to "eat the morsels
of" any one, ie Chew him up (figuratively) by slander) -- + accuse....
985. bitchah -- a trust
... 984, 985. bitchah. 986 . a trust. Transliteration: bitchah Phonetic Spelling:
(bit-khaw') Short Definition: trust. Word Origin fem....
986. bittachon -- trust
... 985, 986. bittachon. 987 . trust. Transliteration: bittachon Phonetic
Spelling: (bit-taw-khone') Short Definition: confidence. Word...
4965. metheg haammah -- Metheg-ammah
... Metheg-ammah From metheg and 'ammah with the art. Interposed;bit of the metropolis;
Metheg-ha-Ammah, an epithet of Gath -- Metheg-ammah. see HEBREW metheg....
5391a. nashak -- to bite
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to bite NASB Word Usagebit (2), bite (4), bites
(4), bitten (1), creditors (1). 5391, 5391a. nashak. 5391b ....
Library
ABit Ahead
... ABit Ahead. So far as I can find out, I have no theory about Jesus to make
these talks fit into. I have tried to find out for myself...
Bit and Bridle: How to Escape Them
...Bit and Bridle: How to Escape Them. A Sermon (No.2190). Delivered on
Lord's-day Morning, February 15th, 1891, by. CH SPURGEON,. At [8...
The Spokesman of God.
... If we follow the order of the words somewhat as John wrote them down, we find the
bit of truth coming in a very striking, as well as in a fresh way....
Make it a Story.
... studied at all. You must absorb this Bible story,bit bybit, through
and through, until it becomes abit of yourself. You must...
The Gospel According to --You.
... And I think John was abit troubled. Not because he was going to die.... This was
the life-passion. And so I think John prayed about it abit....
Taken into the Innermost Life.
... Now comes the thirdbit of that evening's closer wooing.[120] And this is the tenderest,
the most personal, the least resistiblebit, the closest wooing of all...
Teaching Three Things in one Action.
... Then follows abit of explanation.[107] But the chief thing had already been done....
And it can be. The feet-washing told thisbit of tremendous truth....
A Heart-Breaking Verse.
... Then comes John's second heart-breaking verse; but it is just abit more heart-breaking
in what it says.... It's abit late. You've had a long hard day....
The Forgotten Preacher.
... Rather striking that, when you break away from the atmosphere round about, and think
into it abit.... The road's dusty. He gets abit weary and thirsty....
A Blessed Library Corner.
... I think I might tell you best just what I mean by abit from a real life.
Thebit that has been such a real inspiration to myself....
Thesaurus
Bit (46 Occurrences)... 2. (v.) Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains. 3. (vt) To put a bridle upon; to
put the
bit in the mouth of.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BIT AND BRIDLE.
...Mouth-bit (1 Occurrence)
Mouth-bit. Mouth, Mouth-bit. Mouth-bone . Multi-Version Concordance
Mouth-bit (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 26:3 A whip for...
Bridle (12 Occurrences)
... 1). (2.) Me'theg, rendered also "bit" in Psalm 32:9, which is its proper meaning....
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.BIT AND BRIDLE. bri...
Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)
... Among the Chaldean tribes in Babylonia may be mentionedBit Amukkani, whose capital
was Sapia;Bit Yakin which furnished the dynasty to which Merodach-baladan...
Wood (226 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:3 And why do you take note of the grain of dust in your brother's eye,
but take no note of thebit of wood which is in your eye? (BBE)....
Coat (54 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Matthew 9:16 And no man puts abit of new
cloth on an old coat, for by pulling away from the old, it makes a worse hole....
Chaldea (8 Occurrences)
... Among the Chaldean tribes in Babylonia may be mentionedBit Amukkani, whose capital
was Sapia;Bit Yakin which furnished the dynasty to which Merodach-baladan...
Eden (19 Occurrences)
... The "children of Eden" is quite probably to be identified with theBit `Adini of
the inscriptions and this referred to a district on the middle Euphrates....
Backbite
... BACKBITE. bak'-bit raghal; doloo: To slander the absent, like a dog biting behind
the back, where one cannot see; to go about as a talebearer....
Bitterness (37 Occurrences)
...bit'-er,bit'-er-nes (mar, or marah = "bitter" (literally or figuratively); also
(noun) "bitterness" or (adverb) "bitterly"; "angry," "chafed," "discontented...
Resources
What was Nehushtan? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible teach that there would be two comings of the Messiah? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being stubborn / stubbornness? | GotQuestions.orgBit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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