ἵππος

James 3:3 ἵππων horses

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.

Revelation 6:2 ἵππος a horse

So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.

Here: In the ancient world the horse was a war animal, not a farm animal or a pet. A horse with a rider meant cavalry, conquest and speed.

Revelation 6:4 ἵππος horse

Then another horse went forth. It was bright red, and its rider was granted permission to take away peace from the earth and to make men slay one another. And he was given a great sword.

Here: In the ancient world a horse meant war and cavalry, not farm work or travel. A rider on a horse already suggests military power.

Revelation 6:5 ἵππος a horse

And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales.

Here: A horse, the animal of cavalry, messengers and armies. It recalls the coloured horses sent out over the earth in Zechariah 1:8 and 6:1–8.

Revelation 6:8 ἵππος a horse

Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

Here: A war-horse, the animal of cavalry and conquest. The colored horses recall Zechariah 1:8 and 6:1–8, where God sends out horses of different colors across the earth.

Revelation 9:7 ἵπποις as horses

And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, with something like crowns of gold on their heads; and their faces were like the faces of men.

Here: Horses. In the ancient world the horse was mainly an animal of war, not of farm work or travel. Comparing locusts to horses makes them an invading cavalry.

Revelation 9:9 ἵππων of horses

They also had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the roar of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.

Revelation 9:17 ἵππους ἵππων horses, horses [were]

Now the horses and riders in my vision looked like this: The riders had breastplates the colors of fire, sapphire, and sulfur. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths proceeded fire, smoke, and sulfur.

Here: The war-horses of the cavalry host. In this scene the horses, not the riders, are the ones that do the killing (vv.18–19).

Revelation 9:19 ἵππων horses

For the power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; indeed, their tails were like snakes, having heads with which to inflict harm.

Here: The monstrous horses of the 200-million-strong cavalry (9:16). They have lion-like heads and breathe fire, smoke and sulfur (9:17). The horses do the damage, not the riders.

Revelation 14:20 ἵππων horses

And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and the blood that flowed from it rose as high as the bridles of the horses for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

Here: War horses. In Revelation horses are always instruments of war or judgment (6:2–8; 9:7, 17; 19:11–21). 'Blood up to the horses' was a known way of describing total slaughter (1 Enoch 100:3).

Revelation 18:13 ἵππων of horses

of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of slaves.

Here: "[Cargo] of horses." These were valuable animals, often for racing in the circus or for the transport of the rich, not farm stock.

Revelation 19:11 ἵππος a horse

Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.

Here: In the ancient world the horse was an animal of war and of royal display, not of farm work or ordinary travel. A rider on a horse is a warrior or a ruler.

Revelation 19:14 ἵπποις horses

The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses.

Here: Warhorses. In the ancient world the horse was a military animal, not a farm animal, so a mounted host is a fighting force.

Revelation 19:18 ἵππων of horses

so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.”

Here: War horses, the heavy weapons of ancient warfare. Taken straight from Ezekiel 39:20, 'horses and riders'.

Revelation 19:19 ἵππου horse

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army.

Here: The white warhorse of a conquering king. In the Roman world a white horse belonged to a victor in triumph.

Revelation 19:21 ἵππου horse

And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Here: A war-horse. A white horse meant a victor's triumph. It takes the reader back to 19:11 and stands against the dark horses of judgment in chapter 6.