SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARIOTS (BDB 939)

Two Hebrew forms are used (merkabah, BDB 939; rekeb, KB 636)

1. Royal or governmental transportation
   1. Egypt ‒ Gen. 41:43; 46:29; 50:9
   2. Israel ‒ 1 Sam. 8:11; 2 Sam. 15:1; 1 Kgs. 1:5; Song of Songs 3:9; Isa. 22:18; Jer. 17:25
   3. Syria ‒ 2 Kgs. 5:21-26
   4. Ethiopia ‒ Acts 8:28,29,38
2. Often associated with YHWH
   1. YHWH Himself
       (1) incense altar of David's temple was shaped like a "chariot" is linked to "Cherubim" in 1 Chr. 28:18
       (2) YHWH Himself rode on chariot clouds (cf. Ps. 18:10; 104:2)
       (3) Ezekiel 1; 10 describe YHWH's portable Throne Chariot
   2. YHWH's angels ‒ 2 Kgs. 2:11; 6:17; Ps. 68:17; Hab. 3:8; Zech. 6:1-3
3. Military weapon (selected examples)
   1. Egypt ‒ Exod. 14:6,7,9,17,18,23,26,28; 15:4,9; Deut. 11:4; Josh. 24:6; Isa. 31:1
   2. Canaanite ‒ Deut. 20:1; Josh. 11:4; 17:16,18; Jdgs. 1:19; 4-5
   3. Philistine ‒ Jdgs. 1:19; 1 Sam. 13:5; 2 Sam. 1:6
   4. Israelite ‒ 2 Sam. 15:1; 1 Kgs. 10:26-29
4. Hunting vehicle for the rich and powerful
5. They seem to be connected to "Sun" worship (cf. 2 Kgs. 23:5,11; Ezek. 8:16)

For a detailed description of the design and development of chariots of the ANE, see ABD, vol. 1, pp. 888-892.

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