Lexical Summary hippikos: Equestrian, pertaining to horses Original Word: ἱππικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance horsemen, cavalryNeuter of a derivative of hippos; the cavalry force -- horse(-men). see GREEK hippos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hippos Definition cavalry NASB Translation horsemen (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2461: ἱππικόςἱππικός, ἱππικη, ἱππικον, equestrian; τό ἱππικον, the horse(-men), cavalry: Revelation 9:16 (as Herodotus 7, 87; Xenophon, Plato, Polybius, others; more fully τό ἱππικον στράτευμα, Xenophon, Cyril 3, 3, 26; so τό πεζικον, the foot(-forces), infantry, Xenophon, Cyril 5, 3, 38). Topical Lexicon Overview of the ConceptCavalry—mounted troops that fight from horseback—conveys speed, shock, and intimidating martial power. The single New Testament occurrence of the Greek adjective rendered “cavalry” (Strong’s Greek 2461) appears in Revelation 9:16 and draws on this well-known military image to portray vast, unstoppable forces under God’s sovereign oversight. Historical Background of Cavalry in the Biblical World From the late second millennium B.C. onward, Near-Eastern kingdoms deployed horsemen alongside chariots. By the Persian and Hellenistic eras, dedicated cavalry units had become a decisive arm of warfare. Rome inherited and refined these tactics, stationing auxiliary horsemen throughout the empire. First-century readers understood that cavalry could outflank infantry, terrorize civilian populations, and rapidly change the course of a campaign. Cavalry in Old Testament Narrative and Poetry • Exodus 14:23–28 records Pharaoh’s elite horsemen overwhelmed by the LORD at the Red Sea, underscoring divine supremacy over military might. The Sole New Testament Occurrence: Revelation 9:16 “The number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number”. The expression “mounted troops” translates a phrase that features the adjective behind Strong’s 2461. John’s vision amplifies known military realities to apocalyptic scale. Whether interpreted literally, spiritually, or symbolically, the scene conveys: 1. Divine permission—four angels are released to unleash the horde (Revelation 9:14–15). Prophetic and Theological Themes Judgment: Cavalry iconography often accompanies divine retribution (Isaiah 31:1-3; Habakkuk 1:8). Sovereignty: Even supernatural horsemen fall under the command of the heavenly throne (Revelation 6:1-8; Revelation 9:13-19). Victory in Christ: The final vision shifts from demonic cavalry to the Rider called Faithful and True who “judges and wages war” (Revelation 19:11-16). Pastoral and Ministry Significance Reliance on God, not force. “A horse is a vain hope for salvation” (Psalm 33:17). Believers confront modern equivalents—technology, wealth, political muscle—with the same caution. Spiritual vigilance. The staggering numbers in Revelation admonish the Church to watchfulness and urgent proclamation (Mark 13:33). Confident hope. The Lord who commands heavenly horsemen (2 Kings 6:17) and defeats hostile cavalry guarantees final deliverance for His people. Summary Strong’s Greek 2461 highlights an image of formidable, mounted power acknowledged across the biblical canon. Old Testament narratives and prophetic texts frame cavalry as both an instrument of judgment and a reminder of God’s incomparable strength. Revelation seizes this imagery, magnifies it, and situates it within the climactic triumph of the Lamb. The motif calls the faithful to reject misplaced trust in human might, to persevere amid conflict, and to anticipate the certain victory of Christ, the ultimate Rider whose kingdom shall never fail. Forms and Transliterations ιππικου ἱππικοῦ ιππόδρομον ιπποδρόμου hippikou hippikoû ippikouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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