There is another word which is sometimes rendered by chariot, viz., 'agalah; but as we have elsewhere (see CART) shown that it denotes a plaustrum, cart or wagon, drawn by oxen, we need not here return to the subject.
In the prophecy of Nahum, who was of the first captivity, and resident (if not born) at El kosh, in Assyria, there is much allusion to chari ots, suggested doubtless by their frequency before his eyes in the streets of Nineveh and throughout the Assyrian empire.
Chariots also of other nations are mentioned, as of Assyria (2 Kings xix :23 ; Ez. xxiii :24), Syria (2 Sam. viii and 2 Kings vi t3), Persia (Is. xxii :6), and lastly Antiochus Eupator is said to have had 30o chariots armed with scythes (2 Mace. xiii :2).
(5) New Testament Mention. In the New Testament, the only mention made of a chariot, except in Rev. ix:9, is in the case of the Ethio pian or Abyssinian eunuch of Queen Candace, who is described as sitting in his chariot reading (Acts viii :28, 29, 38).
Figuratit.'e. To denote the speed and resistless power and majesty with which God effects his purposes, he is represented as possessing chariots. These are angels, providences, clouds, or any other natural phenomena, in the agency and mo tion of which he displays his greatness and power, opposes and conquers his foes, and sup ports and protects his people (Ps. lxviii:17; flab. iii :8 ; Is. IRTi :Is ; Jer. :21 ; Zech. vi ).
The binding the chariot to the swift beast im ports fleeing off from the enemy with the utmost speed (Mic. i :t3). In imitation of the Persians and other heathen kings. :\ lanasseh and Amon consecrated chariots to the sun; but Josiah des troyed them (2 Kings xxiii The "four chariots" proceeding from between mountains of brass may denote the four noted monarchies which, according to the eternal pur pose of God, have, from small beginnings, and amidst great opposition, appeared in the world.
and in their turn conquered the nations. The "chariot with red horses" may denote the Assy rians and Chaldcans, cruel and bloody ; that with black horses, the Medes and Persians, sometimes arrayed in black, and terribly distressful ; that with white horses, the Greeks, astonishingly vic torious. and overrunning the very places which the Medes and Persians had done; that with grizzled and bay horses, the Romans and Goths who pushed their conquests chiefly to the south ward. Or might these "chariots" signify angels, as employed in the dispensations of providence, of bloody wars and persecutions, of famines and pestilence, of joy and prosperity, of events won derfully mixed? Or, might they signify gospel ministers, in their diversified conditions? or in the periods apostolic, Antichristian, millennial, etc.? (Zech. vi :1-8).
"Chariots of fire, and horses of fire" (2 Kings ii :i t) signifies some bright effulgence which. in the eyes of the spectators. resembled those ob jects. ''Chariot man" (2 Chron. xviii :33) is an other name for "driver of chariot" (I Kings xxii: 34)• Ministers and eminent saints are the "chariots and horsemen" of a country ; such is the regard God shows them. such the power of their prayers and holy conversation, that they are a noted means of the victories and preservation of their coun tries (2 King :T2 xiii :i4).
The former passage, teaches that, as earthly kingdoms are dependent for their defense and glory upon warlike preparations, a single prophet has done more for the preservation and prosperity of Israel than all her chariots and horsemen.