Mare
The Mare in Scripture
The English word "mare" (a female horse) does not appear in most Bible translations, but the underlying Hebrew text contains references to female horses in at least two passages. In Song of Solomon 1:9, the Hebrew word "susah" is the feminine form of "sus" (horse), and in Esther 8:10, the phrase "sons of mares" appears in some interpretations of the Hebrew. These references connect to the broader biblical theme of horses as symbols of strength, beauty, and royal authority.
The Mare in Song of Solomon
The most vivid biblical reference appears in Song of Solomon 1:9, where the lover declares, "I compare you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots." The KJV renders this as "a company of horses," but the Hebrew clearly uses the feminine singular, indicating a single mare. The comparison is striking: Egyptian chariot horses were renowned for their beauty, training, and adornment. To compare the beloved to a mare among Pharaoh's finest horses was a supreme compliment of elegance, grace, and irresistible attractiveness.
The Significance of the Egyptian Reference
The reference to Pharaoh's chariots is historically significant because Egypt was the ancient Near East's premier source of fine horses. Solomon himself imported horses from Egypt (1 Kings 10:28-29), and Egyptian chariot horses were bred for both beauty and speed. The comparison in Song of Solomon draws on this cultural knowledge: just as a superb mare among the royal chariot corps would stand out for her beauty and bearing, so the beloved stands out among all others.
Horses in Esther
Esther 8:10 describes the royal couriers dispatched on behalf of the Jewish people: they rode on "swift horses that were used in the king's service, bred from the royal stud" (ESV). Some Hebrew scholars have read the phrase "bene ha-rammakhim" as "sons of mares," with the Arabic cognate "ramakat" meaning "mare." The passage emphasizes the speed and quality of the horses, which were essential for delivering the king's decree across the vast Persian Empire in time to save the Jewish people from destruction.
Horses in the Biblical World
Horses in the Bible were primarily associated with warfare, royal power, and wealth. They were expensive to maintain and were therefore symbols of status. God warned Israel's kings not to accumulate horses (Deuteronomy 17:16), and the prophets sometimes used horses as symbols of misplaced military trust (Isaiah 31:1; Psalm 20:7). Yet horses also served as images of divine power: God's appearance in storms and judgments is compared to riding on horses (Habakkuk 3:8, 15).
Beauty and Divine Gifts
The mare imagery in Song of Solomon invites reflection on beauty as a divine gift. The biblical writers did not shy away from celebrating physical attractiveness, understanding it as part of God's good creation. The comparison of the beloved to a mare among royal chariots affirms that beauty, properly appreciated within the context of committed love, is a source of joy and wonder rather than something to be suppressed or feared.
Biblical Context
The concept of a mare appears in Song of Solomon 1:9 (the beloved compared to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots) and Esther 8:10 (royal horses used to deliver the king's decree). The broader theme of horses in Scripture spans Deuteronomy 17:16 (warning against accumulating horses), 1 Kings 10:28-29 (Solomon's horse trade), Psalm 20:7 and Isaiah 31:1 (trusting horses versus trusting God), and Revelation 19:11 (Christ returning on a white horse).
Theological Significance
The biblical treatment of horses, including mares, carries a dual message. On one hand, horses represent the beauty and power of God's creation, worthy of admiration and celebration. On the other hand, trusting in horses (military power) rather than in God is consistently condemned. The mare in Song of Solomon celebrates beauty within the covenant of love, while the horses of Esther serve God's providential rescue of His people. Both point to the truth that created beauty and power find their proper place only in relation to the Creator.
Historical Background
Horse breeding was a major industry in the ancient Near East, with Egypt, Anatolia (modern Turkey), and Mesopotamia as the primary centers. Egyptian chariot horses were particularly prized for their beauty and training. The Persian Empire maintained an extensive network of relay stations with royal horses for rapid communication across its territories. Archaeological evidence from Megiddo and other Israelite sites reveals large stable complexes, confirming the importance of horses in the region's military and economic life.