Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "horn" carries significant symbolic and literal meanings, often representing strength, power, and authority. The horn is frequently mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a powerful metaphor and a literal object used in various religious and cultural practices.Symbolism and Metaphor 1. Strength and Power: The horn is commonly used as a symbol of strength and power. In ancient cultures, the horn of an animal, particularly that of a ram or a bull, was seen as a representation of might and dominance. This symbolism is evident in several biblical passages. For instance, in 1 Samuel 2:10, Hannah's prayer includes the phrase, "He will give strength to His king and exalt the horn of His anointed." Here, the horn signifies the empowerment and elevation of God's chosen leader. 2. Authority and Kingship: The horn is also associated with authority and kingship. In the prophetic literature, horns often represent kingdoms or rulers. In Daniel 7:24, the ten horns of the fourth beast are interpreted as ten kings who will arise from the kingdom. Similarly, in Revelation 17:12, the ten horns are described as ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom but will receive authority for a short time. 3. Salvation and Deliverance: The horn is a symbol of salvation and deliverance. In Luke 1:69, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, proclaims, "He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David." This metaphorical horn represents the coming of the Messiah, who will deliver His people. Literal Uses 1. Altar Horns: In the construction of the altar, horns were a prominent feature. Exodus 27:2 describes the altar of burnt offering with horns on its four corners, overlaid with bronze. These horns were not merely decorative; they held ritual significance. In times of need, individuals could seek asylum by grasping the horns of the altar, as seen in 1 Kings 1:50, where Adonijah seeks refuge. 2. Musical Instruments: Horns were also used as musical instruments, particularly in the form of trumpets or shofars. The shofar, made from a ram's horn, was used in various religious ceremonies and as a call to worship or battle. Joshua 6:5 recounts the use of ram's horns in the battle of Jericho, where the sound of the horns played a crucial role in the city's fall. 3. Anointing Oil: The horn was used as a vessel for anointing oil, symbolizing the consecration and empowerment of individuals for divine service. In 1 Samuel 16:13, Samuel anoints David with oil from a horn, signifying his selection as king over Israel. Prophetic Imagery The prophetic books of the Bible frequently employ the imagery of horns to convey messages about future events and divine intervention. In Zechariah 1:18-21, four horns are depicted as the powers that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem, while four craftsmen are sent to terrify and cast down these horns. This vision underscores God's sovereignty and His plan to restore His people. In summary, the horn in biblical texts serves as a multifaceted symbol of strength, authority, salvation, and divine intervention. Its literal uses in religious practices further underscore its importance in the cultural and spiritual life of the biblical world. Smith's Bible Dictionary HornThe word "horn" is often used metaphorically to signify strength and honor, because horns are the chief weapons and ornaments of the animals which possess them; hence they are also used as a type of victory. Of strength the horn of the unicorn was the most frequent representative, (33:17) etc., but not always; comp. (1 Kings 22:11) where probably horns of iron, worn defiantly and symbolically on the head, are intended. Among the Druses upon Mount Lebanon the married women wear silver horns on their heads. In the sense of honor, the word horn stands for the abstract "my horn," (Job 16:16) "all the horn of Israel," (1 Samuel 2:3) and so for the supreme authority. It also stands for the concrete , whence it comes to mean king, kingdom. (Daniel 8:2) etc.; Zech 1:18 Out of either or both of these last two metaphors sprang the idea of representing gods with horns. ATS Bible Dictionary HornOf animals were used as drinking vessels, and to hold ointments, perfumes, etc., 1 Samuel 16:1 1 Kings 1:39. The "horns of the altar" were its four corners and elevation on them, Exodus 27:2 30:2. See ALTAR. The principal defense and ornament of many beasts are in their horns; and hence the horn is often a symbol of strength, honor, and dominion. The Lord exalted the horn of David, and of his people; he breaketh the horn of salvation, and of defiling the horn in the dust, De 33:17 1 Samuel 2:1,10 Job 16:15 Psalm 75:10 Daniel 7:20-24 Luke 1:69. There may be an allusion in these passages to a very common part of the female dress in some parts of the East. The married women among the Druses of mount Lebanon still wear on their heads silver horns, as in the accompanying cut; the other head is that of an Abyssinian chief. Easton's Bible Dictionary Trumpets were at first horns perforated at the tip, used for various purposes (Joshua 6:4, 5).Flasks or vessels were made of horn (1 Samuel 16:1, 13; 1 Kings 1:39). But the word is used also metaphorically to denote the projecting corners of the altar of burnt offerings (Exodus 27:2) and of incense (30:2). The horns of the altar of burnt offerings were to be smeared with the blood of the slain bullock (29:12; Leviticus 4:7-18). The criminal, when his crime was accidental, found an asylum by laying hold of the horns of the altar (1 Kings 1:50; 2:28). The word also denotes the peak or summit of a hill (Isaiah 5:1, where the word "hill" is the rendering of the same Hebrew word). This word is used metaphorically also for strength (Deuteronomy 33:17) and honour (Job 16:15; Lamentations 2:3). Horns are emblems of power, dominion, glory, and fierceness, as they are the chief means of attack and defence with the animals endowed with them (Dan. 8:5, 9; 1 Samuel 2:1; 16:1, 13; 1 Kings 1:39; 22:11; Joshua 6:4, 5; Psalm 75:5, 10; 132:17; Luke 1:69, etc.). The expression "horn of salvation," applied to Christ, means a salvation of strength, or a strong Saviour (Luke 1:69). To have the horn "exalted" denotes prosperity and triumph (Psalm 89:17, 24). To "lift up" the horn is to act proudly (Zechariah 1:21). Horns are also the symbol of royal dignity and power (Jeremiah 48:25; Zechariah 1:18; Dan. 8:24). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A hard, projecting, and usually pointed organ, growing upon the heads of certain animals, esp. of the ruminants, as cattle, goats, and the like. The hollow horns of the Ox family consist externally of true horn, and are never shed.2. (n.) The antler of a deer, which is of bone throughout, and annually shed and renewed. 3. (n.) Any natural projection or excrescence from an animal, resembling or thought to resemble a horn in substance or form; esp.: (a) A projection from the beak of a bird, as in the hornbill. (b) A tuft of feathers on the head of a bird, as in the horned owl. (c) A hornlike projection from the head or thorax of an insect, or the head of a reptile, or fish. (d) A sharp spine in front of the fins of a fish, as in the horned pout. 4. (n.) An incurved, tapering and pointed appendage found in the flowers of the milkweed (Asclepias). 5. (n.) Something made of a horn, or in resemblance of a horn 6. (n.) A wind instrument of music; originally, one made of a horn (of an ox or a ram); now applied to various elaborately wrought instruments of brass or other metal, resembling a horn in shape. 7. (n.) A drinking cup, or beaker, as having been originally made of the horns of cattle. 8. (n.) The cornucopia, or horn of plenty. 9. (n.) A vessel made of a horn; esp., one designed for containing powder; anciently, a small vessel for carrying liquids. 10. (n.) The pointed beak of an anvil. 11. (n.) The high pommel of a saddle; also, either of the projections on a lady's saddle for supporting the leg. 12. (n.) The Ionic volute. 13. (n.) The outer end of a crosstree; also, one of the projections forming the jaws of a gaff, boom, etc. 14. (n.) A curved projection on the fore part of a plane. 15. (n.) One of the projections at the four corners of the Jewish altar of burnt offering. 16. (n.) One of the curved ends of a crescent; esp., an extremity or cusp of the moon when crescent-shaped. 17. (n.) The curving extremity of the wing of an army or of a squadron drawn up in a crescent like form. 18. (n.) The tough, fibrous material of which true horns are composed, being, in the Ox family, chiefly albuminous, with some phosphate of lime; also, any similar substance, as that which forms the hoof crust of horses, sheep, and cattle; as, a spoon of horn. 19. (n.) A symbol of strength, power, glory, exaltation, or pride. 20. (n.) An emblem of a cuckold; -- used chiefly in the plural. 21. (v. t.) To furnish with horns; to give the shape of a horn to. 22. (v. t.) To cause to wear horns; to cuckold. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia HORNhorn (Hebrew and Aramaic qeren; keras; for the "ram's horn" (yobhel) of Joshua 6 see MUSIC, and for the "inkhorn" of Ezekiel 9 (qeceth) see separate article): RAM'S HORN See MUSIC. Greek 2768. keras -- a horn ... a horn. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: keras Phonetic Spelling: (ker'-as) Short Definition: a horn Definition: (a) a horn, (b) a horn-like ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2768.htm - 6k 2762. keraia -- a little horn Strong's Hebrew 7162. qeren -- a horn... 7161, 7162. qeren. 7163 . a horn. Transliteration: qeren Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-ren) Short Definition: horn. Word Origin (Aramaic ... /hebrew/7162.htm - 6k 3104. yobel -- a ram, ram's horn (a wind instrument) 7161. qeren -- a horn 7782. shophar -- a horn (for blowing) 7163a. Qeren Happuk -- "horn of antimony," a daughter of Job 7163. qeren hap-puwk -- "horn of antimony," a daughter of Job 8629. teqa -- blast (of a horn) Library The Little Horn Appendix A: Alleged Perfidy of Mary of Guise Psalm XCVIII. Diamond Managed with Many Blunders to Read this Rhyme to his ... The Cross was Foretold in the Blessings of Joseph, and in the ... The Career of the Antichrist Ode viii. Ode iii. If Christ's Power be Now So Great, How Much Greater at the Second ... The Fraud, Pride, and Tyrannical Kingdom of Antichrist, as ... Thesaurus Horn (108 Occurrences)... Flasks or vessels were made of horn (1 Samuel 16:1, 13; 1 Kings 1:39). ... To have the horn "exalted" denotes prosperity and triumph (Psalm 89:17, 24). ... /h/horn.htm - 49k Blast-horn (1 Occurrence) Ink-horn (3 Occurrences) War-horn (3 Occurrences) Boasts (18 Occurrences) Inkhorn (4 Occurrences) Sounded (66 Occurrences) Notable (7 Occurrences) Uttering (10 Occurrences) Lute (13 Occurrences) Resources What is the little horn in the book of Daniel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the horn of salvation? | GotQuestions.org What are the four beasts in Daniel chapter 7? | GotQuestions.org Horn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Horn (108 Occurrences)Matthew 24:31 Luke 1:69 1 Corinthians 15:52 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Hebrews 12:19 Revelation 1:10 Revelation 4:1 Revelation 9:14 Revelation 10:7 Exodus 19:13 Exodus 19:19 Exodus 20:18 Exodus 21:29 Leviticus 11:3 Leviticus 11:4 Leviticus 11:6 Leviticus 11:7 Leviticus 11:26 Leviticus 25:9 Numbers 10:7 Numbers 10:9 Numbers 29:1 Deuteronomy 14:6 Deuteronomy 14:7 Deuteronomy 14:8 Joshua 6:5 Joshua 6:20 Judges 3:27 Judges 6:34 Judges 7:16 Judges 7:18 1 Samuel 2:1 1 Samuel 2:10 1 Samuel 13:3 1 Samuel 16:1 1 Samuel 16:13 2 Samuel 2:28 2 Samuel 6:15 2 Samuel 15:10 2 Samuel 18:16 2 Samuel 22:3 1 Kings 1:34 1 Kings 1:39 1 Kings 1:41 2 Kings 9:13 1 Chronicles 15:28 1 Chronicles 25:5 Nehemiah 4:18 Nehemiah 4:20 Job 16:15 Job 39:24 Job 39:25 Psalms 18:2 Psalms 47:5 Psalms 75:4 Psalms 75:5 Psalms 81:3 Psalms 89:17 Psalms 89:24 Psalms 92:10 Psalms 98:6 Psalms 112:9 Psalms 132:17 Psalms 148:14 Psalms 150:3 Isaiah 18:3 Isaiah 27:13 Isaiah 58:1 Jeremiah 4:5 Jeremiah 4:19 Jeremiah 4:21 Jeremiah 6:1 Jeremiah 6:17 Jeremiah 42:14 Jeremiah 48:25 Jeremiah 51:27 Lamentations 2:3 Lamentations 2:17 Ezekiel 7:14 Ezekiel 29:21 Ezekiel 33:3 Ezekiel 33:4 Ezekiel 33:5 Ezekiel 33:6 Daniel 3:5 Daniel 3:7 Daniel 3:10 Daniel 3:15 Daniel 7:8 Daniel 7:11 Daniel 7:20 Daniel 7:21 Daniel 8:5 Daniel 8:8 Daniel 8:9 Daniel 8:12 Daniel 8:21 Daniel 8:22 Hosea 5:8 Hosea 8:1 Subtopics Horn used to Containi the Anointing Oil Related Terms |