Bible Dictionaries
Cavalry

Holman Bible Dictionary

The mounted soldiers of an army. Israel faced cavalry and chariots in the Exodus (Exodus 14:9 ,Exodus 14:9,14:18 ,Exodus 14:18,14:28 ) and during the period of the judges (Judges 4:1 ). God would not allow Israel to rely on the wealth and security represented by military horses (Deuteronomy 17:16 ). David captured horses and chariots from Syria (2 Samuel 8:4 ). Solomon then developed a military force featuring horses (1 Kings 4:26; 1 Kings 9:17; 1 Kings 10:26 ). These references to horsemen may all refer to personnel connected with chariots rather than to individual riders or cavalry units. The Hebrew term parash refers to both with the context the only guide to interpretation. Evidence outside Israel points to Assyria using cavalry troops shortly after 900 B.C. The cavalry provided a line of defense, served as scouts, and chased a defeated army. God warned Israel not to depend upon horses for security ( Isaiah 31:1 ).