סוּס (sus)
sus
swallow; Horse (Gate); horse
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 111 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun sus primarily denotes a horse, specifically the powerful animals used in warfare and royal processions. In the Old Testament, it appears over one hundred times, often highlighting the military might of kings or nations. The text frequently pairs it with chariots, emphasizing the speed and destructive force these beasts brought to battlefields.
Interestingly, some ancient sources link the word to "swallow" or "swift," likely referencing the bird’s rapid flight. This etymological connection underscores the animal's defining characteristic: incredible speed. When prophets like Jeremiah describe God riding on a sus (Jeremiah 4:13), they invoke this imagery of swift, unstoppable power.
The word carries significant theological weight because Scripture repeatedly warns against trusting in military strength rather than in God. Passages such as Psalm 33:17 and Proverbs 21:31 contrast the fleeting value of a horse with the enduring reliability of divine protection. Thus, sus serves not just as a description of an animal, but as a symbol of human pride and temporal power.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sus refers to the horse, a creature of immense speed and power in the ancient world. In Scripture, these animals often symbolize human military strength and royal prestige. Kings accumulated vast herds of horses to secure their borders and project authority, yet the biblical narrative consistently reminds us that such power is fragile.
When we face situations where our resources feel insufficient, this word invites a shift in perspective. The Israelites were told not to fear enemies with many chariots because God had already demonstrated His supremacy over Egypt’s finest horses at the Red Sea. Our security does not rest in our own capabilities or accumulated advantages, but in the One who holds history in His hands.
This truth offers deep comfort. While we may rely on plans and preparations, those things are temporary. Trusting in divine protection provides a stability that no army can match. We are invited to find our peace not in controlling outcomes, but in resting in the faithful character of God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 111 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- horses25×
- the/ horses12×
- the/ horse6×
- horse[s]5×
- horse5×
- and/ horse[s]5×
- a horse5×
- horses/ their4×
- and/ a horse4×
- the/ horse[s]3×
- horses/ your3×
- horses/ its3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סוּסִ֖ים6×
- סוּסִ֥ים5×
- סוּסִ֔ים4×
- ס֣וּס4×
- סוּסִ֣ים3×
- ס֥וּס3×
- ס֖וּס3×
- כְּ/ס֥וּס3×
- וְ/ס֣וּס3×
- הַ/סּוּסִ֗ים3×
- הַ/סּוּסִ֖ים3×
- הַ/סּוּסִ֑ים3×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 15:1
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.
This verse marks the turning point where military might is shown to be powerless against divine intervention, as Pharaoh's horses are cast into the sea.
-
Deuteronomy 17:16
Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he may multiply horses; because Yahweh has said to you, “You shall not go back that way again.”
Here the word appears in a specific legal restriction, warning kings against accumulating military power through foreign alliances rather than trusting God.
-
I Kings 10:28
The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. The king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price.
This reference highlights the economic and political reality of horse trading, showing how Solomon’s accumulation of these animals reflected his worldly wisdom.