Bible Dictionary
HORSES OF THE SUN
The horses of the sun were horses and chariots dedicated to sun worship at the entrance of the temple in Jerusalem. King Josiah removed them during his religious reforms.
Definition
The horses of the sun were horses dedicated to sun worship, together with chariots placed at the entrance of the temple in Jerusalem. They formed part of the idolatrous practices removed during Josiah’s reform.
Biblical Usage
Josiah took away the horses and burned the chariots with fire. Their removal is recorded in connection with the wider destruction of sun-worship practices in the temple.
Historical Background
Horses sacred to the sun were common among oriental peoples. In Jerusalem they had been associated with the sun worship practiced by idolatrous kings.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(2Ki 23:11): In connection with the sun-worship practiced by idolatrous kings in the temple at Jerusalem (2Ki 23:5; compare Eze 8:16), horses dedicated to the sun, with chariots, had been placed at the entrance of the sacred edifice. These Josiah, in his great reformation, "took away," and burned the chariots with fire. Horses sacred to the sun were common among oriental peoples (Bochart, Heiroz., I, 2, 10).</p>