King James Bible Dictionary

A vehicle generally used for warlike purposes. Sometimes, though but rarely, it is spoken of as used for peaceful purposes.

The first mention of the chariot is when Joseph, as a mark of distinction, was placed in Pharaoh's second state chariot (Genesis 41:43); and the next, when he went out in his own chariot to meet his father Jacob (46:29). Chariots formed part of the funeral procession of Jacob (50:9). When Pharaoh pursued the Israelites he took 600 war-chariots with him (Exodus 14:7). The Canaanites in the valleys of Palestine had chariots of iron (Joshua 17:18; Judges 1:19). Jabin, the king of Canaan, had 900 chariots (Judges 4:3); and in Saul's time the Philistines had 30,000. In his wars with the king of Zobah and with the Syrians, David took many chariots among the spoils (2 Samuel 8:4; 10:18). Solomon maintained as part of his army 1,400 chariots (1 Kings 10:26), which were chiefly imported from Egypt (29). From this time forward they formed part of the armies of Israel (1 Kings 22:34; 2 Kings 9:16, 21; 13:7, 14; 18:24; 23:30).

In the New Testament we have only one historical reference to the use of chariots, in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts. 8:28, 29, 38).

This word is sometimes used figuratively for hosts (Psalms 68:17; 2 Kings 6:17). Elijah, by his prayers and his counsel, was "the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof." The rapid agency of God in the phenomena of nature is also spoken of under the similitude of a chariot (Psalms 104:3; Isaiah 66:15; Habakkuk 3:8).

Chariot of the cherubim (1 Chronicles 28:18), the chariot formed by the two cherubs on the mercy-seat on which the Lord rides.

Chariot cities were set apart for storing the war-chariots in time of peace (2 Chronicles 1:14).

Chariot horses were such as were peculiarly fitted for service in chariots (2 Kings 7:14).

Chariots of war are described in Exodus 14:7; 1 Samuel 13:5; 2 Samuel 8:4; 1 Chronicles 18:4; Joshua 11:4; Judges 4:3, 13. They were not used by the Israelites till the time of David. Elijah was translated in a "chariot of fire" (2 Kings 2:11). Comp. 2 Kings 6:17. This vision would be to Elisha a source of strength and encouragement, for now he could say, "They that be with us are more than they that be with them."

For war
Exodus 14:7; Exodus 14:9; Exodus 14:25; Joshua 11:4; 1 Samuel 13:5; 1 Kings 20:1; 1 Kings 20:25; 2 Kings 6:14; 2 Chronicles 12:2-3; Psalms 20:7; Psalms 46:9; Jeremiah 46:9; Jeremiah 47:3; Jeremiah 51:21; Joel 2:5; Nahum 2:3-4; Nahum 3:2

Wheels of Pharaoh's, providentially taken off
Exodus 14:25

Commanded by captains
Exodus 14:7; 1 Kings 9:22; 1 Kings 22:31-33; 2 Kings 8:21

Made of iron
Joshua 17:18; Judges 1:19

Introduced among Israelites by David
2 Samuel 8:4

Imported from Egypt by Solomon
1 Kings 10:26-29

Cities for
1 Kings 9:19; 2 Chronicles 1:14; 2 Chronicles 8:6; 2 Chronicles 9:25

Royal
Genesis 41:43; Genesis 46:29; 2 Kings 5:9; 2 Chronicles 35:24; Jeremiah 17:25; Acts 8:29

Drawn by camels
Isaiah 21:7; Micah 1:13

Traffic in
Revelation 18:13

Kings ride in
2 Chronicles 35:24; Jeremiah 17:25; Jeremiah 22:4

Cherubim in Solomon's temple mounted on
1 Chronicles 28:18

Figurative of chariots of God
Psalms 68:17; Psalms 104:3; 2 Kings 6:17; Isaiah 66:15; Habakkuk 3:8; Revelation 9:9

Symbolic
Zech 6:1-8; 2 Kings 2:11-12

a vehicle used either for warlike or peaceful purposes, but most commonly the former. The Jewish chariots were patterned after the Egyptian, and consisted of a single pair of wheels on an axle, upon which was a car with high front and sides, but open at the back. The earliest mention of chariots in Scripture is in Egypt, where Joseph, as a mark of distinction, was placed in Pharaoh's second chariot. (Genesis 41:43) Later on we find mention of Egyptian chariots for a warlike purpose. (Exodus 14:7) In this point of view chariots among some nations of antiquity, as elephants among others, may be regarded as filling the place of heavy artillery in modern times, so that the military power of a nation might be estimated by the number of its chariots. Thus Pharaoh in pursuing Isr'l took with him 600 chariots. The Philistines in Saul's time had 30,000. (1 Samuel 13:5) David took from Hadadezer, king of Zobah, 1000 chariots, (2 Samuel 8:4) and from the Syrians a little later 700, (2 Samuel 10:18) who in order to recover their ground, collected 32,000 chariots. (1 Chronicles 19:7) Up to this time the Isr'lites possessed few or no chariots. They were first introduced by David, (2 Samuel 8:4) who raised and maintained a force of 1400 chariots, (1 Kings 10:25) by taxation on certain cities agreeably to eastern custom in such matters. (1 Kings 9:19; 10:25) From this time chariots were regarded as among the most important arms of war. (1 Kings 22:34; 2 Kings 9:16,21; 13:7,14; 18:24; 23:30; Isaiah 31:1) Most commonly two persons, and sometimes three, rode in the chariot, of whom the third was employed to carry the state umbrella. (1 Kings 22:34; 2 Kings 9:20,24; Acts 8:38) The prophets allude frequently to chariots as typical of power. (Psalms 20:7; 104:3; Jeremiah 51:21; Zechariah 6:1)

CHARIOT,noun

1. A half coach; a carriage with four wheels and one seat behind, used for convenience and pleasure.

2. A car or vehicle used formerly in war, drawn by two or more horses, and conveying two men each. These vehicles were sometimes armed with hooks or sythes.

CHARIOT, verb transitive To convey in a chariot

CHARIOTED, participle passive Borne in a chariot.

CHARIOTEER, noun The person who drives or conducts a chariot. It is used in speaking of military chariots and those in the ancient games, but not of modern drivers.

CHARIOT-MAN, noun The driver of a chariot. 2 Chronicles 18:1.

CHARIOT-RACE, noun A race with chariots; a sport in which chariots were driven in contest for a prize.