Topical Encyclopedia
Riding, as depicted in the Bible, primarily involves the use of animals such as donkeys, horses, and camels for transportation and symbolic purposes. The act of riding is mentioned in various contexts, from everyday travel to significant religious and royal events.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, riding is often associated with royalty and leadership. Kings and leaders frequently rode on donkeys or mules, which were considered noble animals. For instance, King David's son Solomon rode on David's mule during his anointing as king, signifying his legitimate succession (
1 Kings 1:33). The choice of a mule, rather than a horse, underscores humility and peace, contrasting with the warlike connotations of horses.
Horses, while less common in early Israelite society due to their association with warfare and foreign powers, are mentioned in contexts involving military strength and chariots. The acquisition of horses was often linked to the influence of neighboring nations, such as Egypt, and was sometimes viewed with caution (
Deuteronomy 17:16).
Camels were also used for riding, particularly in long-distance travel and trade. The account of Rebekah riding a camel to meet Isaac (
Genesis 24:61) illustrates the use of camels in journeys across the desert.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the most significant instance of riding is Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus rode on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of
Zechariah 9:9, which states, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (
Matthew 21:5). This act symbolized Jesus' role as the peaceful Messiah and contrasted with the expectations of a militant deliverer.
The imagery of riding also appears in the apocalyptic visions of Revelation. In
Revelation 6:2, a rider on a white horse is depicted, symbolizing conquest and victory. This imagery draws on the cultural associations of horses with power and warfare, yet it is imbued with spiritual significance in the context of divine judgment and redemption.
Symbolism and ThemesRiding in the Bible often carries symbolic meanings. It can represent authority, as seen in the royal processions of kings. It also signifies humility and peace, particularly in the context of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The choice of animal—donkey, horse, or camel—further enhances the symbolic message, whether it be peace, power, or endurance.
The act of riding also reflects the broader biblical themes of journey and pilgrimage. It underscores the transient nature of life and the movement towards a divine purpose or destination. In this way, riding serves as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of faith, obedience, and fulfillment of God's promises.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Ride.
2. (n.) One of the three jurisdictions into which the county of York, in England, is divided; -- formerly under the government of a reeve. They are called the North, the East, and the West, Riding.
3. (a.) Employed to travel; traveling; as, a riding clerk.
4. (a.) Used for riding on; as, a riding horse.
5. (a.) Used for riding, or when riding; devoted to riding; as, a riding whip; a riding habit; a riding day.
6. (n.) The act or state of one who rides.
7. (n.) A festival procession.
8. (n.) Same as Ride, n., 3.
9. (n.) A district in charge of an excise officer.
Greek
4480. rhede -- a chariot... chariot. Of Latin origin; a rheda, ie Four-wheeled carriage (wagon for
riding) --
chariot. (redon) -- 1 Occurrence. 4479, 4480. rhede. 4481 . Strong's Numbers
2934. ktenos -- a beast of burden
... ktenos Phonetic Spelling: (ktay'-nos) Short Definition: a beast of burden Definition:
a beast of burden (generally, a horse or mule) either forriding or for...
Strong's Hebrew
7396. rikbah -- (act of)riding... 7395, 7396. rikbah. 7397 . (act of)
riding. Transliteration: rikbah
Phonetic Spelling: (rik-baw') Short Definition:
riding. Word
...4817. merkab -- a chariot,riding seat
... 4816, 4817. merkab. 4818 . a chariot,riding seat. Transliteration: merkab
Phonetic Spelling: (mer-kawb') Short Definition: chariots....
7392. rakab -- to mount and ride, ride
... 1), horseman* (2), lead (1), led (1), mounted (4), pace (1), placed (1), put (2),
ridden (2), ride (17), rider (7), riders (5), rides (5),riding (15), rode (9...
Library
But Seeing a Worldly Spirituality, Called in the Scripture the...
... [Way-3-61] But seeing a worldly spirituality, called in the scripture the whore
riding upon the beast? But seeing a worldly spirituality...
Of the First Seal.
... the emperor, is to go forth from that quarter of the compass, from the mounting
of whom on his horse for the purpose ofriding,"that is, from the beginning...
The Entry into Jerusalem.
... the flourish of trumpets and the kissing of his hand by the great officers of state
proclaim him king, so unmistakably does our Lord byriding into Jerusalem...
God's Care Over Me
... There were three of us to go to town on these two horses"two other young women and
I. The old lady had asked me if I was used toriding, and upon hearing...
Messiah's Entrance into Jerusalem
... greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh
unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, andriding upon an ass...
The Shunammite's Boy.
... Now it happened that one day the prophet Elisha, sitting upon his ass, with his
rough cloak cast about him, cameriding towards a little village named Shunem....
Conversations.
... "Throw!" said Cyrus. The Sacian shut his eyes and threw. It happened that, just
at that instant, an officer named Pheraulas wasriding by....
That the Logos is One, not Many. Of the Word, Faithful and True...
... and Evangelist (and the Apocalypse entitles him to be styled a prophet, too) says
he saw the Word of God in the opened heaven, and that He wasriding on a...
Expatriation
... By steadyriding he could reach Tanis shortly, but once within the capital of the
Pharaoh, he was near to Har-hat and within reach of the fan-bearer's potent...
The Liberty of Obedience
... The same is true aboutriding a bicycle. You know that in order to be free
to ride a bicycle you must obey the rules ofriding it...
Thesaurus
Riding (30 Occurrences)... reeve. They are called the North, the East, and the West,
Riding. 3. (a.)
Employed to travel; traveling; as, a
riding clerk. 4. (a
...Riding-cloths (1 Occurrence)
Riding-cloths.Riding,Riding-cloths. Rie . Multi-Version Concordance
Riding-cloths (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan...
Ride (31 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To convey, as byriding; to make or do byriding. 10.... 11. (n.) The act of
riding; an excursion on horseback or in a vehicle. 12. (n.) A saddle horse....
Mounted (32 Occurrences)
... Esther 8:10 He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king's
ring, and sent letters by courier on horseback,riding on royal horses that...
Mule (9 Occurrences)
... the King James Version "mules" (Genesis 36:24); hemionos, "half-ass," "mule" (1
Esdras 5:43; Judith 15:11)): Mules are mentioned asriding animals for princes...
Prefects (18 Occurrences)
... (YLT NAS). Ezekiel 23:6 Clothed with blue -- governors and prefects, Desirable
young men all of them, Horsemen,riding on horses, (YLT)....
Attractive (6 Occurrences)
... Please take her, instead." (See NIV). Ezekiel 23:6 clothed with blue, governors
and rulers, all of them attractive young men, horsemenriding upon horses. (DBY)...
Saddle (7 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To put a saddle upon; to equip (a beast) forriding.... Ezekiel 27:20 Dedan
was your trafficker in precious cloths forriding. (See NAS RSV NIV)....
Camel (13 Occurrences)
... The camel was early used both forriding and as a beast of burden (Genesis 24:64;
37:25), and in war (1 Samuel 30:17; Isaiah 21:7). Mention is made of the...
Desirable (49 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ezekiel 23:6 who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them
desirable young men, horsemenriding on horses. (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Resources
Why would a king ride a donkey instead of a warhorse (Zechariah 9:9-10)? | GotQuestions.orgIs the pope, or the next pope, the antichrist? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the triumphal/triumphant entry? | GotQuestions.orgRiding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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