The hard, pointed growth on the heads of certain animals; a projection resembling such a growth. The horns of animals were regarded as symbols of strength. In apocalyptic writings, horns may denote various powers and enemies of God. Altars were made with horn-like corner projections.
Horns of animals
See also Genesis 22:13LEV Genesis 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15 Psalm 22:21, Psalm 69:31
Uses of animal horns
As musical instruments
Exodus 19:13; Joshua 6:4; 1 Chronicles 15:28; 2 Chronicles 15:14; Psalm 81:3, Psalm 98:6; Daniel 3:5, Daniel 3:7, Daniel 3:10, Daniel 3:15; Hosea 5:8
As oil containers
1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Kings 1:39
Uses of imitation horns
As projections at corners of altars
Exodus 27:2, Exodus 29:12, Exodus 30:2–3, Exodus 30:10, Exodus 37:25–26, Exodus 38:2; Leviticus 4:7, Leviticus 4:18, Leviticus 4:25, Leviticus 4:30, Leviticus 4:34, Leviticus 8:15, Leviticus 9:9, Leviticus 16:18; 1 Kings 1:50–51, 1 Kings 2:28; Psalm 118:27; Jeremiah 17:1; Ezekiel 43:15, Ezekiel 43:20; Amos 3:14; Revelation 9:13
As prophetic signs
1 Kings 22:11 parallel 2 Chronicles 18:10
Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’”
Horns as symbols of strength
Describing God's saving power
2 Samuel 22:2–3 parallel Psalm 18:2 See also Luke 1:69
He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence.
Describing human strength
Deuteronomy 33:17 See also 1 Samuel 2:1, 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 75:10, Psalm 89:17, Psalm 89:24, Psalm 92:10, Psalm 112:9, Psalm 132:17, Psalm 148:14; Jeremiah 48:25; Lamentations 2:3, Lamentations 2:17; Ezekiel 29:21, Ezekiel 34:21; Micah 4:13
His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.”
Symbolising the power of world rulers and enemies of God
Daniel 7:7–25, Daniel 8:3–4, Daniel 8:5–11, Daniel 8:19–22; Zechariah 1:18–21; Revelation 12:3–9, Revelation 13:1–6, Revelation 13:11–14, Revelation 17:3–8, Revelation 17:12–17
Symbolising the power of Jesus Christ
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.