In the context of the Bible, the term "neigh" is primarily associated with the sound made by horses. This term is used metaphorically in Scripture to describe certain behaviors and attitudes, often in a negative light. The imagery of a horse neighing is employed to convey themes of lust, unbridled desire, and rebellion against God.

Biblical References:

1. Jeremiah 5:8 : "They were well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife." In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah uses the image of neighing stallions to illustrate the rampant adultery and moral corruption among the people of Judah. The metaphor highlights the intensity and shamelessness of their sinful desires, comparing them to animals driven by instinct rather than reason or righteousness.

2. Jeremiah 8:16 : "The snorting of their horses is heard from Dan; the whole land trembles at the sound of the neighing of their stallions. They come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who dwell in it." Here, the neighing of horses is associated with impending judgment and destruction. The sound of the enemy's horses serves as a warning of the approaching Babylonian invasion, symbolizing the terror and devastation that will befall the land due to the people's disobedience to God.

Theological Implications:

The use of "neigh" in these contexts underscores the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. It serves as a vivid reminder of the dangers of succumbing to carnal desires and the resulting moral decay. The metaphor of neighing horses is a powerful tool used by the prophets to call the people to repentance and to warn them of the judgment that follows unfaithfulness.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, horses were often associated with power, warfare, and status. The Israelites, familiar with these associations, would have understood the implications of the metaphor. Horses were not only valuable assets in battle but also symbols of strength and virility. Thus, the prophets' use of equine imagery would have resonated deeply with their audience, emphasizing the severity of their spiritual infidelity.

Moral and Ethical Lessons:

The biblical use of "neigh" as a metaphor serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked desires and the importance of maintaining fidelity to God's laws. It calls believers to examine their own lives for areas where they may be tempted to stray and to seek God's guidance in overcoming such temptations. The imagery challenges individuals to rise above base instincts and to pursue a life of holiness and obedience.

In summary, the term "neigh" in the Bible is a rich metaphor that conveys themes of lust, judgment, and the need for repentance. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of remaining faithful to God's covenant.1. (v. i.) To utter the cry of the horse; to whinny.

2. (v. i.) To scoff or sneer; to jeer.

3. (n.) The cry of a horse; a whinny.

NEIGH

na (tsahal, "to cry aloud," "neigh"): Figuratively used to indicate lustful desire (Jeremiah 5:8; compare Jeremiah 13:29).

5433. phruasso -- to neigh, whinny, fig. to be wanton
... phruasso. 5434 . to neigh, whinny, fig. ... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition
to neigh, whinny, fig. to be wanton NASB Word Usage rage (1). rage. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5433.htm - 6k6670a. tsahal -- to neigh, cry shrilly
... 6670, 6670a. tsahal. 6670b . to neigh, cry shrilly. Transliteration: tsahal
Short Definition: aloud. Word Origin a prim. root Definition ...
/hebrew/6670a.htm - 5k

6670. tsahal -- to neigh, cry shrilly
... 6669, 6670. tsahal. 6670a . to neigh, cry shrilly. Transliteration: tsahal
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-hal') Short Definition: bellow. ...
/hebrew/6670.htm - 5k

The Accession of Darius.
... made by the rest."Singular mode of deciding which should be the king."The groom
Oebases."His method of making Darius's horse neigh."Probable truth or ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter iv the accession of.htm

Do not Think it Necessary Here Also with Many Words to Go through ...
... seems to require. [Note our author's persistent scorn of Jove Opt. Max.].
[4411] Lit., "neigh with appetites of an enraged beast.". ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/22 i do not think.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... of my brethren, and have been waiting here four hours to give you warning, in order
that your horse may turn his tail to your enemies and neigh in derision of ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 51.htm

All who Walk According to Truth are Children of God.
... calls us colts unyoked to vice, not broken in by wickedness; but simple, and bounding
joyously to the Father alone; not such horses "as neigh after their ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter v all who walk according.htm

Comenius and the Hidden Seed, 1627-1672.
... "They drink and vomit," he said, "quarrel and fight, rob and pillage one another
by cunning and by violence, neigh and skip from wantonness, shout and whistle ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xvi comenius and the.htm

The Rebuilding of the Temple.
... The choice was to be settled by Heaven, as they thought; namely, by seeing whose
horse would first neigh at the rise of their god, the sun. ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xiii the rebuilding of.htm

The Evolution of Language
... The howl of the dog, the neigh of the horse, the bleat of the lamb, the stamp of
the goat, and other signs are all readily understood by other animals. ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter v the evolution of.htm

To the Rev. Andrew Brandram
... The animal uttered a shrill sharp neigh, and exhibited every sign of the greatest
terror, making at the same time great efforts to extricate himself, and ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev andrew brandram 2.htm

Upon the Gathering Together of the Waters.
... The element essentially dry receives therefore the name of earth, as the animal
who has a neigh for a characteristic cry is called a horse. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily iv upon the gathering.htm

Matt. Iv. 1
... For if the prophet [557] permits not them to be accounted men, that "neigh after
their neighbors wife," who shall blame us for esteeming these to be goats and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xiii matt iv 1.htm

Neigh (2 Occurrences)
...NEIGH. na (tsahal, "to cry aloud," "neigh"): Figuratively used to indicate lustful
desire (Jeremiah 5:8; compare Jeremiah 13:29). ...Neigh (2 Occurrences). ...
/n/neigh.htm - 7k

Nei'el (1 Occurrence)
Nei'el. Neiel, Nei'el. Neigh . Multi-Version Concordance Nei'el (1 Occurrence).
Joshua ... RSV). Neiel, Nei'el. Neigh . Reference Bible.
/n/nei'el.htm - 6k

Jubilant (13 Occurrences)
... 11 Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because
you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong ...
/j/jubilant.htm - 9k

Gambol (2 Occurrences)
... 11 Because ye are glad, because ye rejoice, O ye that plunder my heritage, because
ye are wanton as a heifer that treadeth out the grain, and neigh as strong ...
/g/gambol.htm - 7k

Frolic (3 Occurrences)
... 11 Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because
you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong ...
/f/frolic.htm - 7k

Treads (19 Occurrences)
... 11 Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because
you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong ...
/t/treads.htm - 12k

Risers (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Risers (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 5:8 Fed horses -- they
have been early risers, Each to the wife of his neighbour they neigh. (YLT). ...
/r/risers.htm - 6k

Pillage (5 Occurrences)
... 11 Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because
you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong ...
/p/pillage.htm - 8k

Stallions (4 Occurrences)
... 11 Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because
you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong ...
/s/stallions.htm - 7k

Skip (8 Occurrences)
... 11 Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because
you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong ...
/s/skip.htm - 9k

Neigh: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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