Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is essential for interpreting the New Testament and gaining insight into ancient Greek culture. The word ἱππικός (hippikós) is particularly significant as it relates to horses and horsemanship, an important aspect of Greek and Roman societies. This word provides a glimpse into the military, social, and cultural dynamics of the ancient world, as well as the metaphors and imagery that these concepts contributed to Biblical texts.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: ἱππικός, transliterated as hippikós [hip-pee-KOS].
• Etymology: Derived from the Greek root ἵππος (hippos), meaning “horse,” and the suffix -ικός (-ikos), which forms adjectives.
• Part of Speech: Adjective.
• Grammatical Details: It follows the first and second declension patterns in Greek.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Of or pertaining to horses: Refers to anything related to horses or horsemanship.
• Equestrian: Concerning horseback riding or riders.
• Cavalry: Pertaining to the cavalry, a military unit of soldiers mounted on horses.

Similar Words: ἵππος (hippos) [HIP-pos], meaning “horse,” is closely related to ἱππικός. While ἵππος is a noun referring to the animal itself, ἱππικός is an adjective that describes something related to horses or cavalry, such as horse-riding skills or cavalry units.

Further Insights: ἱππικός is an adjective that follows the first and second declension patterns in Greek. Here is the declension table for ἱππικός:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG: Defines ἱππικός as an adjective meaning “pertaining to horses or cavalry.” It notes that the term is used in the context of describing horsemanship or cavalry-related matters in both military and non-military texts.

Thayers: The lexicon elaborates on ἱππικός as describing anything “of or pertaining to horses.” It highlights its use in classical Greek literature and mentions any potential metaphorical usage.

Vines: Describes ἱππικός as an adjective associated with horses, particularly in contexts related to cavalry or equestrian activities. It provides historical references to help understand its use in both biblical and extrabiblical contexts.

LSJ: Lists ἱππικός with examples from various Greek texts, emphasizing its application in military contexts, specifically describing cavalry forces and maneuvers.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Defines ἱππικός (G2461) as “of or relating to horses” and emphasizes its adjectival form, providing a foundation for understanding its meaning in both secular and biblical texts.

Related Scripture References

• Revelation 9:16: “The number of mounted troops (ἱππικός) was twice ten thousand times ten thousand; I heard their number.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἱππικός (G2461)

The Greek word ἱππικός (hippikós) is an adjective meaning “pertaining to horses” or “equestrian.” It is used to describe things related to horses or cavalry, such as military units or horsemanship skills. This term is particularly useful for understanding the organization and importance of cavalry in ancient military tactics and societal structures. While not directly appearing in the New Testament, ἱππικός offers valuable insight into the cultural and historical backdrop of the texts.

Did You Know?

• The term ἱππικός has influenced modern words like “hippic,” relating to horsemanship.
• In ancient Greece, equestrian sports and military cavalry were essential components of society, with horsemanship being a highly valued skill.
• Plato’s Republic discusses the importance of maintaining a trained cavalry, emphasizing how deeply the concept of ἱππικός was embedded in both warfare and governance.

Understanding ἱππικός enriches our comprehension of ancient Greek culture, military history, and how these ideas shaped the metaphors and imagery found in biblical texts.