In biblical literature, the term "rider" often refers to individuals who are mounted on horses, symbolizing power, authority, and sometimes divine judgment. The imagery of riders is prevalent in both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a metaphor for various spiritual and prophetic themes.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, riders are frequently associated with military might and the strength of nations. For instance, in Exodus 15:1, the song of Moses celebrates the Lord's triumph over the Egyptians, stating, "I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea." Here, the rider represents the Egyptian forces that pursued the Israelites, emphasizing God's deliverance and supremacy over earthly powers.

The prophetic books also utilize the imagery of riders to convey messages of judgment and salvation. In Isaiah 21:7, the prophet is instructed to watch for "a chariot with a team of horses, riders on donkeys, riders on camels," symbolizing the impending judgment on Babylon. Similarly, in Habakkuk 3:8, the Lord's wrath is depicted with the imagery of horses and chariots: "Were You angry at the rivers, O LORD? Was Your wrath against the streams? Did You rage against the sea when You rode with Your horses, your chariots of salvation?"

New Testament References

The New Testament expands on the symbolic use of riders, particularly in the apocalyptic literature of Revelation. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, described in Revelation 6:1-8, are among the most vivid examples. Each rider, mounted on a different colored horse, represents various forms of divine judgment: conquest, war, famine, and death. Revelation 6:2 describes the first rider: "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."

The imagery of the rider is also used to depict Christ's ultimate victory and authority. In Revelation 19:11-16, Christ is portrayed as a rider on a white horse, symbolizing His righteous judgment and triumphant return: "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."

Symbolism and Interpretation

The concept of the rider in biblical texts often symbolizes authority, speed, and the execution of divine will. Riders are typically associated with horses, which in ancient cultures were symbols of strength and swiftness. The presence of riders in prophetic visions underscores the certainty and imminence of God's plans, whether they pertain to judgment or salvation.

In a broader theological context, riders can represent the forces of good and evil, the unfolding of God's redemptive history, and the ultimate triumph of Christ over all opposing powers. The imagery serves to remind believers of the sovereignty of God and the assurance of His promises, encouraging faithfulness and perseverance in the face of trials.1. (n.) One who, or that which, rides.

2. (n.) Formerly, an agent who went out with samples of goods to obtain orders; a commercial traveler.

3. (n.) One who breaks or manages a horse.

4. (n.) An addition or amendment to a manuscript or other document, which is attached on a separate piece of paper; in legislative practice, an additional clause annexed to a bill while in course of passage; something extra or burdensome that is imposed.

5. (n.) A problem of more than usual difficulty added to another on an examination paper.

6. (n.) A Dutch gold coin having the figure of a man on horseback stamped upon it.

7. (n.) Rock material in a vein of ore, dividing it.

8. (n.) An interior rib occasionally fixed in a ship's hold, reaching from the keelson to the beams of the lower deck, to strengthen her frame.

9. (n.) The second tier of casks in a vessel's hold.

10. (n.) A small forked weight which straddles the beam of a balance, along which it can be moved in the manner of the weight on a steelyard.

11. (n.) A robber.

7393. rekeb -- chariotry, chariot, millstone
... Origin from rakab Definition chariotry, chariot, millstone NASB Word Usage chariot
(19), chariot horses (2), charioteers (3), chariots (87), rider (1), riders ...
/hebrew/7393.htm - 6k

7392. rakab -- to mount and ride, ride
... 1), chariot (1), drove (1), harness (1), horseman* (2), lead (1), led (1), mounted
(4), pace (1), placed (1), put (2), ridden (2), ride (17), rider (7), riders ...
/hebrew/7392.htm - 6k

7394. Rekab -- perhaps "band of riders," a Benjamite, also the ...
... Rechab. From rakab; rider; Rekab, the name of two Arabs and of two Israelites --
Rechab. see HEBREW rakab. 7393, 7394. Rekab. 7395 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7394.htm - 6k

Song of Moses and Miriam
... LYRICS III SONG OF MOSES AND MIRIAM. TUTTI I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath
triumphed gloriously: The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii song of moses and.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... White Horse. The rider with bow in hand. (Matthew 24:5). b vi.3, 4. The Second Seal.
Red Horse. ... Black Horse. Famine. The rider, balances in hand. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
... Sections. 1. Connection of this chapter with the preceding. Augustine's similitude
of a good and bad rider. Question answered in respect to the devil. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 how god works.htm

A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain
... An old muleteer, who observed her performing this last prank, took pity on her rider,
and said, "Gentleman student, I wish to give you a piece of advice with ...
/.../a supplementary chapter to the.htm

A Christmas Question
... But do you observe yon rider, at what a rate he dashes along, as if he were riding
a steeple-chase with Satan? ... The man is a blind rider on a blind horse. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a christmas question.htm

False Civilization
... 'The son of the rider,' or 'the son of the chariot,' seems to be the most
probable meaning of the name. So that these Rechabites ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon vi false civilization.htm

Of the First Seal.
... The index of the first seal is the first animal in the likeness of a lion, in
station towards the East, and it shows that the rider, viz. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the first seal.htm

How Miracles of Healing have Been Frequently Wrought in the Place ...
... sudden fell sick, stood still, hung his head, and foamed at the mouth, and, at length,
as his pain increased, he fell to the ground; the rider dismounted, and ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap ix how miracles of.htm

Whether Grace is in the Soul's Essence as Its Subject, or in one ...
... For Augustine says (or another, in Hypognosticon 3): "grace is to the will, or free
will, as a rider to his horse," and it was said in Q.88, Art.2, that the ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article four whether grace is.htm

Literature.
... Some say it represents Charles Martel, Charlemagne, the founder of the church, the
rider who appeared to Heliodorus, Rider of the Apocalypse, St. Martin, St. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 3 literature.htm

Rider (26 Occurrences)
... a steelyard. 11. (n.) A robber. Multi-Version Concordance Rider (26 Occurrences).
Revelation 6:2 And I looked and a white horse appeared ...
/r/rider.htm - 15k

Rider's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rider's (1 Occurrence). Revelation 6:8 I looked
and a pale-colored horse appeared. Its rider's name was ...
/r/rider's.htm - 6k

Riders (13 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 21:7 And he hath seen a chariot -- a couple of horsemen, The rider of an
ass, the rider of a camel, And he hath given attention -- He hath increased ...
/r/riders.htm - 10k

Mill (9 Occurrences)
... stones, each 2 feet in diameter and half a foot thick, the lower of which was called
the "nether millstone" (Job 41:24) and the upper the "rider." The upper ...
/m/mill.htm - 18k

Saddle (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A seat for a rider, -- usually made of leather, padded to span comfortably
a horse's back, furnished with stirrups for the rider's feet to rest in, and ...
/s/saddle.htm - 10k

Ride (31 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To support a rider, as a horse; to move under the saddle; as, a horse rides
easy or hard, slow or fast. ... I will set a rider on Ephraim. Judah will plow. ...
/r/ride.htm - 17k

Gloriously (7 Occurrences)
... The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. (WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV). ... The horse
and his rider he has thrown into the sea." (WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV). ...
/g/gloriously.htm - 8k

Triumphing (4 Occurrences)
... and the sons of Israel this song to Jehovah, and they speak, saying: -- 'I sing
to Jehovah, For triumphing He hath triumphed; The horse and its rider He hath ...
/t/triumphing.htm - 7k

Triumphed (8 Occurrences)
... The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV). ... The
horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea." (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV). ...
/t/triumphed.htm - 9k

Millstone (9 Occurrences)
... The "upper stone" or "rider" was much smaller, 4 inches to 8 in. long
and 2 3/4 inches to 6 inches wide, and of varying shapes. ...
/m/millstone.htm - 15k

Who are the four horsemen of the apocalypse? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seven seals of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Antichrist? | GotQuestions.org

Rider: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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