Horn
“Horn, identical with Latin cornu”
Summary
The horn in Scripture serves both literal and symbolic purposes: as a container for oil, as a musical instrument, and prominently as a symbol of strength, power, and royal authority.
☩Literal Uses
Horns were used practically as containers for oil, particularly the sacred anointing oil used to consecrate kings and priests. Samuel carried a horn of oil to anoint David, and Zadok brought a horn of oil to anoint Solomon. Horns were also made into trumpets by perforating the tip, and such instruments were used for military signals and proclamations. Job's daughter was named Keren-happuch, meaning 'horn of stibium,' referring to the cosmetic containers made from horns.
☩Horns of the Altar
Both the altar of burnt offerings and the altar of incense had four projecting horns at their corners. Upon these horns the blood of sacrifices was smeared with the finger. Criminals could find asylum by laying hold of the altar's horns, though only if their crime was accidental—deliberate murderers found no protection there. Adonijah fled to grasp the horns of the altar when Solomon became king.
☩Symbol of Strength and Power
The horn is a frequent symbol of strength because it is the chief weapon of horned animals. David called God 'the horn of my salvation.' The 'horn of Israel' represents national strength and honor. To 'exalt the horn' means to increase power; to have one's horn 'cut off' indicates defeat and humiliation. Zacharias proclaimed that God had raised up 'a horn of salvation' in the house of David, referring to the Messiah.
☩Prophetic Symbolism
In Daniel's visions, horns represent kings and kingdoms. The ram with two horns symbolizes the Medo-Persian empire; the goat's notable horn is Alexander the Great. The ten horns of the beast in Daniel and Revelation represent kings arising from the fourth world empire. The Lamb in Revelation has seven horns representing the fullness of His power. On coins, Alexander and the Seleucidae are depicted with horns as symbols of royalty.
Related Verses90 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Horn," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Horn," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Horn," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).