Bible Dictionaries
Bit
Holman Bible Dictionary
The metal bar fastened to the muzzle end of the horse's bridle. The bit is inserted in the horse's mouth between the teeth and is used to control the horse. The bit had loops on either end for attaching the reins. Some bits from the biblical period have spikes which would have stuck in the side of the horse's mouth when the reins were applied; the pain made the horse more responsive to the rider's commands. The bit and bridle were used figuratively in the Bible to refer to different forms of control (James 1:26; James 3:2; see 2 Kings 19:28; Isaiah 37:29 ).
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Bit'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/b/bit.html. 1991.