Horns of Kings
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Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "horn" is frequently used as a symbol of strength, power, and authority. This imagery is particularly prevalent in the context of kings and rulers, where horns represent their might and dominion. The metaphor of horns is deeply rooted in the ancient Near Eastern culture, where animals with prominent horns, such as bulls and rams, were often associated with vigor and potency.

Symbolism in the Old Testament

The use of horns as a symbol of power is evident in several Old Testament passages. In the Book of Daniel, horns are used to describe the rise and fall of empires and their rulers. Daniel 7:24 states, "The ten horns are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. After them another king, different from the earlier ones, will rise and subdue three kings." Here, the horns represent individual kings, each with their own authority and influence.

Similarly, in the Book of Zechariah, horns are depicted as instruments of oppression against Israel. Zechariah 1:18-19 reads, "Then I looked up and saw four horns. So I asked the angel who was speaking with me, 'What are these?' And he told me, 'These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.'" In this context, the horns symbolize the foreign powers that have subjugated and dispersed the people of God.

The Anointing of Kings

The anointing of kings in Israel also involves the imagery of horns. The horn of oil used in anointing ceremonies signifies the divine empowerment and consecration of a king. In 1 Samuel 16:13 , we read about the anointing of David: "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." The horn of oil serves as a vessel of God's blessing and the bestowal of His Spirit upon the chosen king.

Messianic Prophecies

The prophetic literature of the Old Testament often uses the imagery of horns to foretell the coming of the Messiah, who would be a king of unparalleled power and authority. In Psalm 132:17 , it is written, "There I will make a horn grow for David; I have prepared a lamp for My anointed one." This verse anticipates the rise of a mighty ruler from the line of David, a reference to the future Messiah.

The Book of Revelation

In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation employs the imagery of horns to describe the end-times and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. Revelation 17:12 states, "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive authority as kings along with the beast for one hour." The horns here symbolize the temporary and limited power of earthly rulers in contrast to the eternal reign of Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical motif of horns as symbols of kingship underscores the themes of power, authority, and divine appointment. Throughout Scripture, horns serve as a reminder of the sovereignty of God over earthly rulers and the ultimate establishment of His kingdom through the Messiah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Daniel 7:7,8,24
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 8:3,5,20
Then I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

If Christ's Power be Now So Great, How Much Greater at the Second ...
... And the ten horns are ten kings that shall arise; and one shall arise after them;
[2027] and he shall surpass the first in evil deeds, and he shall subdue ...
/.../chapter xxxi if christs power be.htm

Of the Metropolis of Christian Apostasy, the Mystic Babylon.
... done, in some respects, but we hope will be completed at some future time, by a
much more glorious victory; since, out of those ten horns, or kings, there will ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the metropolis of christian.htm

Concerning Nebuchadnezzar and his Successors and How their ...
... of this vision after the following manner: He said that the ram signified the kingdoms
of the Medes and Persians, and the horns those kings that were to reign ...
/.../the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 concerning nebuchadnezzar and.htm

A Woman on a Scarlet-Colored Beast.
... And the ten horns which thou didst see are ten kings, who have not yet received
a kingdom; but they receive power as kings, one hour, with the wild beast. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/a woman on a scarlet-colored.htm

The Woman and Dragon.
... The "ten horns" also symbolize kings, or dynasties; but, unlike the heads,
instead of being successive, they are contemporaneous. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the woman and dragon.htm

John and Daniel have Predicted the Dissolution and Desolation of ...
... the ten horns shall be which were seen by Daniel, telling us that thus it had been
said to him: "And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, who have ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxvi john and daniel have.htm

The Fraud, Pride, and Tyrannical Kingdom of Antichrist, as ...
... And its ten horns are ten kings which shall arise; and after them shall arise another,
who shall surpass in evil deeds all that were before him, and shall ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv the fraud pride and.htm

Christ's Kingly Office
... The ten horns thou sawest are ten kings; these shall make war with the Lamb, but
the Lamb shall overcome them; for he is the King of kings.' Revelation 17:72 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 christs kingly office.htm

In Our Last Chapter we Sought to Show that in Rev. . .
... In 17:16 it says that the ten horns (kings) and the Beast hate the Whore, and make
her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh (that is, appropriate to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in our last chapter we.htm

The Greek Kings of Egypt.
... four heads"the great horn of the rough goat gave place to four horns; so when ... The
angel who spake to Daniel called their princes the Kings of the North and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xvi the greek kings.htm

Resources
What are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the altar of incense? | GotQuestions.org

Who is the beast of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Horns

Horns of Antichristian Powers

Horns of Kings

Horns of Power of Christ

Horns of Power of Ephraim

Horns of Power of God

Horns of Power of the Wicked

Horns of the Altar

Horns used offensively

Horns were Used for Holding Oil

Horns were Used: As Musical Instruments

Horns: (Bringing Down) of Degradation

Horns: (Budding of) of the Commencement or Revival of a Nation

Horns: (Cutting off) of Destruction of Power

Horns: (Exalting) of Increase of Power and Glory

Horns: (Pushing With) Conquests

Horns: (Raising Up) Arrogance

Horns: Animals With, Mentioned: The Goat

Horns: Animals With, Mentioned: The Ox

Horns: Animals With, Mentioned: The Ram

Horns: Animals With, Mentioned: The Wild Ox

Horns: Natural Weapons on Heads of Animals

Horns: Representations of, Placed at the Four Corners of the Altars

Horns: Tusks of the Elephant So Called

Horns: Wearing of, Alluded To

Related Terms

Blowing (31 Occurrences)

Overlaid (50 Occurrences)

Sounded (66 Occurrences)

Push (23 Occurrences)

Sounding (99 Occurrences)

Gore (9 Occurrences)

Draining (20 Occurrences)

Bottom (33 Occurrences)

Remaining (87 Occurrences)

Antelope (2 Occurrences)

Melody (55 Occurrences)

Pour (137 Occurrences)

Mass (65 Occurrences)

Parting (27 Occurrences)

Finger (35 Occurrences)

Corded (37 Occurrences)

Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences)

Bronze (146 Occurrences)

Foundation (82 Occurrences)

Uttering (10 Occurrences)

Overlayeth (19 Occurrences)

Overlay (15 Occurrences)

Four (3139 Occurrences)

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)

Blew (37 Occurrences)

Boastfully (6 Occurrences)

Boasts (18 Occurrences)

Blasphemous (4 Occurrences)

Crowns (27 Occurrences)

Canal (6 Occurrences)

Chamois (1 Occurrence)

Angles (20 Occurrences)

Pushing (26 Occurrences)

Note (129 Occurrences)

Adoni'jah (26 Occurrences)

Heads (439 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Piece (93 Occurrences)

Sin-offering (115 Occurrences)

Playing (37 Occurrences)

Corners (56 Occurrences)

Beast (243 Occurrences)

Horn (108 Occurrences)

Violently (92 Occurrences)

Continued (148 Occurrences)

Itself (203 Occurrences)

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)

Burnt (392 Occurrences)

Rams (81 Occurrences)

Caught (110 Occurrences)

Seven (404 Occurrences)

Zedeki'ah (62 Occurrences)

Kenaanah (5 Occurrences)

Notable (7 Occurrences)

Loud-sounding (8 Occurrences)

Gazelle (12 Occurrences)

Frighten (15 Occurrences)

Fray (4 Occurrences)

Feareth (36 Occurrences)

Flaming (40 Occurrences)

Foursquare (10 Occurrences)

Thicket (9 Occurrences)

Exterminated (8 Occurrences)

Eradicated (3 Occurrences)

Drained (38 Occurrences)

Molding (10 Occurrences)

Majesty (67 Occurrences)

Makers (20 Occurrences)

Plating (13 Occurrences)

Plated (29 Occurrences)

Possessing (18 Occurrences)

Bull's (8 Occurrences)

Considering (10 Occurrences)

Chena'anah (5 Occurrences)

Contemplating (4 Occurrences)

Chenaanah (5 Occurrences)

Affright (10 Occurrences)

Loudly (31 Occurrences)

Horns of Antichristian Powers
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