The term "Chariots of the Sun" is a fascinating concept found within the biblical narrative, primarily associated with ancient Near Eastern religious practices and the idolatrous worship that the Israelites were warned against. The imagery of the sun chariot is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious milieu of the ancient world, where celestial bodies were often personified and deified.

Biblical References:

The most direct biblical reference to the "Chariots of the Sun" is found in 2 Kings 23:11. In this passage, during the reign of King Josiah, a significant religious reform takes place. The text states: "He removed from the entrance to the temple of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the room of an official named Nathan-Melech. Josiah then burned the chariots of the sun."

This verse highlights the presence of sun worship within Judah, which had been incorporated into the religious practices of the people, contrary to the commands of Yahweh. The "chariots of the sun" were likely part of a larger cultic practice that involved the veneration of the sun, a common element in the religious traditions of surrounding nations such as Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, the sun was often worshiped as a powerful deity. The Egyptians revered Ra, the sun god, who was believed to travel across the sky in a solar barque or chariot. Similarly, the Mesopotamians worshiped Shamash, the sun god, who was also depicted as riding a chariot. These cultural influences likely permeated into Israel and Judah, leading to the adoption of similar practices.

The presence of sun chariots in Judah indicates a syncretism that had taken root among the people, blending the worship of Yahweh with pagan elements. This syncretism was a recurring issue throughout Israel's history, often leading to divine judgment and calls for repentance by the prophets.

Theological Implications:

The removal and destruction of the "chariots of the sun" by King Josiah is a significant act of religious purification. Josiah's reforms were aimed at restoring the worship of Yahweh as the sole deity of Israel, in accordance with the covenantal laws given through Moses. The eradication of these idolatrous symbols was a physical manifestation of a deeper spiritual renewal, emphasizing the exclusive worship of the LORD.

Josiah's actions underscore the biblical theme of monotheism and the rejection of idolatry. The first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3), is a foundational tenet of the Israelite faith, and the presence of sun chariots represented a direct violation of this command.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

The "chariots of the sun" can also be seen as symbolic of human attempts to control or harness divine power. In the biblical worldview, the sun is a creation of God, serving His purposes and under His command. The worship of the sun, therefore, represents a distortion of the created order, elevating the creation above the Creator.

In prophetic literature, the sun is often used as a symbol of God's glory and judgment. For instance, in Malachi 4:2, the "sun of righteousness" is a metaphor for the coming of God's salvation and justice. The destruction of the sun chariots by Josiah can thus be interpreted as a prophetic act, foreshadowing the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness over idolatry and false worship.

Conclusion:

The account of the "Chariots of the Sun" serves as a poignant reminder of the constant struggle against idolatry faced by the people of God. It highlights the need for vigilance in maintaining the purity of worship and the centrality of God's commandments in the life of the covenant community. Through the faithful actions of leaders like Josiah, the biblical narrative calls believers to a renewed commitment to the worship of the one true God.Chariots of the Sun

CHARIOTS OF THE SUN

(markebhoth ha-shemesh): These, together with "horses of the sun," are mentioned in 2 Kings 23:11. They are said to have stood in the temple, a gift of the kings of Judah. Josiah removed the horses from the precincts of the temple and burned the chariots. Among the Greeks, Helios was endowed with horses and chariots. Thus the course of the sun as he sped across the skies was understood by the mythological mind of antiquity. The Babylonian god Shamash (= Hebrew Shemesh) likewise had his chariot and horses as well as his charioteer. The cult of the sun and other heavenly bodies which was particularly in vogue during the latter days of the Judean monarchy (compare 2 Kings 23:5 Ezekiel 8:16; Deuteronomy 17:3 Jeremiah 8:2) seems to have constituted an element of the Canaanitish religion (compare the names of localities like Beth-shemesh and the like). The chariots of the sun are also referred to in Enoch 72:5, 37; 75:4, and Greek Apocrypha of Baruch 6.

Max L. Margolis

The Young Josiah and the Book of the Law
... He removed the horses at the entrance of the temple of Jehovah, which the rulers
of Judah had given to the sun, and burned the chariots of the sun. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the young josiah and the.htm

The Desolations of the Lord, the Consolation of his Saints
... Who boweth himself in the grove of Ashtaroth, or who worshippeth the hosts of heaven,
and the chariots of the sun? They have gone! they have gone! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the desolations of the lord.htm

How Amon Reigned Instead of Manasseh; and after Amon Reigned ...
... and the cities, out of a suspicion that somebody might have one idol or other in
private; nay, indeed, he took away the chariots [of the sun] that were set up ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how amon reigned.htm

Women who Saved a Nation
... But Barak pursued the chariots and the forces to Harosheth; and all the army of ... But
may those who love him be as the sun, Rising up in invincible splendor!". ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/women who saved a nation.htm

Travelers by Sea and Land 418. Maker of the Sea and Sky
... And in the clouds which come and go,. We see thy chariots everywhere. The sun that
lights the homeland dear. Spreads the new morning o'er the deep; ...
/.../travelers by sea and land 5.htm

How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ...
... from those that were sent him, augmented the number of his chariots by above ... their
hair, so that their heads sparkled with the reflection of the sun-beams from ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how solomon grew.htm

Chapter i
... not kept.5. Look not upon me because I am dark-colored, because the sun hath tanned ...
compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.8. I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter i.htm

Chapter vi.
... that cometh forth as the rising morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and
terrible ... Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Aminadib.11 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter vi.htm

Index of First Lines
... from the dead the King Immortal gives 101 [22]Light more glorious than the sun 103
[23 ... 171 [51]The saints of God who sufferings bore 173 [52]The chariots of the ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/index of first lines.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... However, the general sense of both seems to be this: That there were certain chariots,
with their horses, dedicated to the idol of the sun, or to Moloch; which ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

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