In biblical times, the term "harness" refers to the equipment used for animals, particularly horses, to pull chariots or plows. The concept of harnessing is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, often symbolizing preparation for battle or labor.

Old Testament References

The use of harnesses is primarily associated with horses and chariots, which were significant in ancient warfare. In Exodus 14:6, Pharaoh harnesses his chariot to pursue the Israelites: "So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him." This passage highlights the readiness and mobilization for battle, as Pharaoh prepares to chase after the fleeing Israelites.

In 1 Kings 20:11, the term is used metaphorically to convey caution and humility: "The king of Israel answered, 'Tell him: The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.'" Here, the act of putting on armor, akin to harnessing, serves as a reminder that one should not boast before the battle is won.

Symbolism and Metaphorical Use

The harness is often symbolic of control and direction. In Psalm 32:9, the psalmist advises against being like a horse or mule that requires a harness to be guided: "Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you." This verse underscores the importance of willing obedience to God, rather than needing external control.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention harnesses, the concept of being yoked or bound is present. In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus invites believers to take His yoke upon them: "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Here, the yoke, similar to a harness, represents submission to Christ's guidance and teaching, promising rest and ease in contrast to the burdens of the world.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, harnesses were essential for the effective use of horses in agriculture and warfare. The development of chariotry, which relied heavily on well-crafted harnesses, was a significant advancement in military technology. The ability to harness horses effectively allowed for greater mobility and speed in battle, often determining the outcome of conflicts.

Spiritual Lessons

The biblical references to harnesses serve as a reminder of the importance of preparation, control, and submission. Just as a harness directs and controls a horse, believers are called to submit to God's guidance and prepare themselves for spiritual battles. The metaphor of the harness encourages Christians to rely on God's strength and wisdom, rather than their own, in navigating the challenges of life.Harness

A suit of defensive armor, 1 Kings 20:11 2 Chronicles 18:33. The Hebrews went out from Egypt "harnessed," that is, properly equipped or arranged.

(1.) Hebrews `asar, "to bind;" hence the act of fastening animals to a cart (1 Samuel 6:7, 10; Jeremiah 46:4, etc.).

(2.) An Old English word for "armour;" Hebrews neshek (2 Chronicles 9:24).

(3.) Hebrews shiryan, a coat of mail (1 Kings 22:34; 2 Chronicles 18:33; rendered "breastplate" in Isaiah 59:17).

(4.) The children of Israel passed out of Egypt "harnessed" (Exodus 13:18), i.e., in an orderly manner, and as if to meet a foe. The word so rendered is probably a derivative from Hebrew hamesh (i.e., "five"), and may denote that they went up in five divisions, viz., the van, centre, two wings, and rear-guard.

1. (n.) Originally, the complete dress, especially in a military sense, of a man or a horse; hence, in general, armor.

2. (n.) The equipment of a draught or carriage horse, for drawing a wagon, coach, chaise, etc.; gear; tackling.

3. (n.) The part of a loom comprising the heddles, with their means of support and motion, by which the threads of the warp are alternately raised and depressed for the passage of the shuttle.

4. (v. t.) To dress in armor; to equip with armor for war, as a horseman; to array.

5. (v. t.) Fig.: To equip or furnish for defense.

6. (v. t.) To make ready for draught; to equip with harness, as a horse. Also used figuratively.

HARNESS

har'-nes: A word of Celtic origin meaning "armour" in the King James Version; it is the translation of shiryan, "a coat of mail" (1 Kings 22:34 2 Chronicles 18:33); of nesheq, "arms," "weapons" (2 Chronicles 9:24, the Revised Version (British and American) "armor"); of 'acar "to bind" (Jeremiah 46:4), "harness the horses," probably here, "yoke the horses"; compare 1 Samuel 6:7, "tie the kine to the cart" (bind them), Genesis 46:29; another rendering is "put on their accoutrements"; compare APC 1Macc 6:43, "one of the beasts armed with royal harness" (thorax), the Revised Version (British and American) "breastplates"; compare APC 1Macc 3:3, "warlike harness"; APC 1Macc 6:41 (hopla), the Revised Version (British and American) "arms"; APC 2Macc 3:25, etc.; harnessed represents chamushim, "armed," "girded" (Exodus 13:18, "The children of Israel went up harnessed," the Revised Version (British and American) "armed"). Tyndale, Cranmer, Geneva have "harnes" in Luke 11:22, Wycliff "armer."

W. L. Walker

631. asar -- to tie, bind, imprison
... 8), bind me tightly (1), bind you fast (1), binds (3), bound (28), captivated (1),
captured (1), confined (4), get ready (1), girded (1), harness (1), hitch (1 ...
/hebrew/631.htm - 6k

8302. shiryon -- body armor
... armor (1), breastplate (1), breastplates (1). breastplate, coat of mail,
habergeon, harness. Or shiryon {shir-yone'}; and shiryan ...
/hebrew/8302.htm - 6k

7573. ratham -- to bind, attach
... to bind, attach. Transliteration: ratham Phonetic Spelling: (raw-tham') Short
Definition: harness. ... root Definition to bind, attach NASB Word Usage harness (1). ...
/hebrew/7573.htm - 5k

5402. nesheq -- equipment, weapons
... battle (1), weapon (1), weapons (7). armed men, armoury, battle, harness, weapon.
Or nesheq {nay'-shek}; from nashaq; military equipment ...
/hebrew/5402.htm - 6k

7392. rakab -- to mount and ride, ride
... root Definition to mount and ride, ride NASB Word Usage carried (2), carried him
in a chariot (1), chariot (1), drove (1), harness (1), horseman* (2), lead (1 ...
/hebrew/7392.htm - 6k

What Yokes are For
... under the yoke," or "wear the yoke in his youth." But in Christ's illustration it
is not the jugum of the Roman soldier, but the simple "harness" or "ox-collar ...
/.../the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/what yokes are for.htm

A Peal of Bells
... under the Jewish law yet, in the day spoken of in the text, the horses themselves
shall be purged from commonness or uncleanness, and their harness shall be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/a peal of bells.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... Men who assert publicly that they need no amusements, and "want to die in the harness,"
will have the opportunity of dying in the harness some years earlier ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

He Got up in the Morning as Soon as He Heard the Men Moving In...
... With great difficulty, but with the help of a broken chair he brought down
from his bedroom, he managed to put the harness on Diamond. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 24 he got up.htm

The Weird Lady
... 'Thy steed is dead in his stall, Earl Harold, Since thou hast been with me; The
rust has eaten thy harness bright, And the rats have eaten thy greyhound light ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the weird lady.htm

November 27:
... Men harness themselves to the work and stress of the world in clumsy and
unnatural ways. The harness they put on is antiquated. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/november 27 0 0.htm

November the Ninth the Holy Spirit as Emancipator
... I am not hampered by excessive harness, by multitudinous rules. The harness
is fitting and congenial, and I have freedom of movement ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/november the ninth the holy.htm

Putting on the Armour
... said. Tell him. Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself
as he that putteth it off.'"1 Kings 20:11. For the Young. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/putting on the armour.htm

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... that is tempted or tried. David tempted; that is, tried himself if he could
go in harness. (1 Samuel 17. And Gideon said, "Let not ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

Before the End of the Month, Ruby had Got Respectably Thin...
... Before the end of the month, Ruby had got respectably thin, and Diamond respectably
stout. They really began to look fit for double harness. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 34 before the end.htm

Gear (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The harness of horses or cattle; trapping. 5. (n.) Warlike
accouterments. ... 13. (vt) To dress; to put gear on; to harness. 14. ...
/g/gear.htm - 8k

Inclose (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To separate from common grounds by a fence; as, to enclose lands. 4.
(vt) To put into harness; to harness. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/inclose.htm - 7k

Bell (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 3:11), and there is, therefore, no objection etymologically to rendering
the noun by "bells." But the little bell attached to the harness of horses ...
/b/bell.htm - 10k

Buckle
... usually of metal, consisting of a frame with one more movable tongues or catches,
used for fastening things together, as parts of dress or harness, by means of ...
/b/buckle.htm - 7k

Harness (9 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) Fig.: To equip or furnish for defense. 6. (vt) To make ready for draught;
to equip with harness, as a horse. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HARNESS. ...
/h/harness.htm - 12k

Elamarna
... and silver, and adorned with precious stones. The harness of the horses
was adorned in like manner. Two camel litters appear to be ...
/e/elamarna.htm - 31k

Tablets (31 Occurrences)
... and silver, and adorned with precious stones. The harness of the horses
was adorned in like manner. Two camel litters appear to be ...
/t/tablets.htm - 41k

El-amarna
... and silver, and adorned with precious stones. The harness of the horses
was adorned in like manner. Two camel litters appear to be ...
/e/el-amarna.htm - 31k

Tell (3056 Occurrences)
... and silver, and adorned with precious stones. The harness of the horses
was adorned in like manner. Two camel litters appear to be ...
/t/tell.htm - 33k

Harnessed (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Harness. Multi-Version Concordance
Harnessed (3 Occurrences). Exodus 13:18 But God led the ...
/h/harnessed.htm - 7k

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