Neighing is the vocal expression of horses, often associated with excitement, communication, or distress. In the Bible, the term "neighing" is used metaphorically to describe the intense and often uncontrolled desires of people, particularly in the context of idolatry and immorality.

Biblical References:

1. Jeremiah 5:8 : "They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife." In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah uses the imagery of neighing stallions to depict the rampant adultery and moral decay among the people of Judah. The comparison to well-fed stallions highlights the indulgence and lack of restraint in their sinful behavior.

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 invasion and destruction. The sound of the enemy's horses serves as a warning of the judgment that is to come upon the land due to the people's unfaithfulness to God.

Theological Implications:

In the biblical context, neighing is not merely a natural sound made by horses but is used symbolically to convey deeper spiritual truths. The metaphor of neighing horses in Jeremiah underscores the theme of unbridled passion and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. It serves as a vivid illustration of how unchecked desires can lead to spiritual and societal downfall.

The use of animal behavior to describe human sinfulness is a common motif in the Bible, emphasizing the need for self-control and adherence to divine law. The neighing of horses, in particular, reflects the urgency and intensity of the call to repentance, as well as the inevitability of divine judgment when such calls are ignored.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, horses were symbols of power and military might. Their neighing could signify both the strength of an army and the chaos of battle. The biblical authors, inspired by the Holy Spirit, utilized this imagery to communicate the severity of Israel's spiritual condition and the looming threat of foreign conquest as a result of their covenant unfaithfulness.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

The metaphor of neighing serves as a cautionary tale for believers, reminding them of the dangers of succumbing to worldly desires and the importance of maintaining fidelity to God's will. It calls for introspection and a return to righteous living, emphasizing that true fulfillment and peace come from obedience to the Lord rather than the pursuit of fleeting pleasures.

In summary, the biblical use of "neighing" is a powerful tool for illustrating the consequences of moral and spiritual laxity, urging believers to heed the warnings of Scripture and to live lives that honor God.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Neigh.4684. mitshalah -- a neighing
... 4683, 4684. mitshalah. 4685 . a neighing. Transliteration: mitshalah Phonetic
Spelling: (mats-haw-law') Short Definition: neighing. ...
/hebrew/4684.htm - 6k

6670a. tsahal -- to neigh, cry shrilly
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to neigh, cry shrilly NASB Word Usage cry (1),
cry aloud (3), neigh (1), neighing (1), shout (1), shouted (1). ...
/hebrew/6670a.htm - 5k

The Accession of Darius.
... These conspirators may have expected, accordingly, in the neighing of the horse,
a sort of divine intimation in respect to the disposition of the crown. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter iv the accession of.htm

On Laughter.
... For man is not to laugh on all occasions because he is a laughing animal, any more
than the horse neighs on all occasions because he is a neighing animal. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter v on laughter.htm

Argument: Moreover, God not Only Takes Care of the Universal World ...
... I pass over the Persians who gathered the augury for their chieftainship from the
neighing of horses; [1766] and I do not quote that absolutely dead fable of ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xviii argument moreover god not.htm

The Hurt of the Daughter of My People
... The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan: at the sound of the neighing of his
strong ones the whole land trembleth; for they are come, and have devoured ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/the hurt of the daughter.htm

Elucidations.
... Balduinus, who restored it to its true author. II. (The neighing of horses,
note 1, p.183.). It strikes me as singular that the Edinburgh ...
//christianbookshelf.org/felix/the octavius of minucius felix/elucidations.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... to pursue the course which may seem to me best under existing circumstances, and
which at present appears to be to mount my horses which are neighing in the ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 47.htm

But Seeing Now that we must Make Proof of what is Alleged at ...
... For Jeremiah, too, speaks in this manner: "From Dan we shall hear the sound of the
sharpness [1939] of his horses; at the sound of the neighing [1940] of his ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xix but seeing now.htm

So Also were Sacrifices and Oblations.
... now they shall be captives, among the first of the nobles who are carried away;
and the house of evil-doers shall be removed, and the neighing of horses shall ...
/.../chapter xxii so also were sacrifices.htm

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit which we Receive Prepare us for ...
... animals, on account of the irrationality of their conduct, saying, "They have become
as horses raging for the females; each one of them neighing after his ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter viii the gifts of the.htm

Manich??us Got the Arrangement of his Fanciful Notions from ...
... As regards salaciousness, I suppose he was thinking of neighing horses, which sometimes
bite through the bridle and rush at the mares; and writing hastily ...
/.../chapter 32 name got the.htm

Neighing (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Neigh. Multi-Version Concordance
Neighing (3 Occurrences). Jeremiah 5:8 They are become ...
/n/neighing.htm - 7k

Neigheth (1 Occurrence)

/n/neigheth.htm - 6k

Neighings (2 Occurrences)

/n/neighings.htm - 7k

Lustful (10 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen your abominations, even your adulteries, and your neighing,
the lewdness of your prostitution, on the hills in the field. ...
/l/lustful.htm - 9k

Trembles (17 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 8:16 The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan: at the sound of the
neighing of his strong ones the whole land trembles; for they are come, and ...
/t/trembles.htm - 11k

Trembleth (21 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 8:16 The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan: at the sound of the
neighing of his strong ones the whole land trembleth; for they are come, and ...
/t/trembleth.htm - 12k

Prostitution (48 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen your abominations, even your adulteries, and your
neighing, the lewdness of your prostitution, on the hills in the field. ...
/p/prostitution.htm - 22k

Contains (17 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 8:16 The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan: the whole land trembleth
at the sound of the neighing of his steeds, and they come, and devour the ...
/c/contains.htm - 10k

Aha (11 Occurrences)
... It expresses satiety in Isaiah 44:16; and represents the neighing of a horse in
Job 39:25. (4) hoy, expresses grief or pain, (Isaiah 1:4 Jeremiah 22:18). ...
/a/aha.htm - 12k

Adulteries (10 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen your abominations, even your adulteries, and your neighing,
the lewdness of your prostitution, on the hills in the field. ...
/a/adulteries.htm - 9k

Neighing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus