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hoÌ‚rn (Hebrew and Aramaic קרן, kÌ£eren; κεÌÏας, keÌras; for the “ram's horn†(יובל, yoÌ„bheÌ„l) of Josh 6 see MUSIC, and for the “inkhorn†of -11 (קסת, kÌ£esÌ£eth) see separate article):
(1) Ḳeren and keras represent the English “horn†exactly, whether on the animal (), or used for musical purposes (; ), or for containing a liquid (, ; ), but in the horns of ivory are of course tusks and the “horns†of ebony are small (pointed?) logs. Consequently most of the usages require no explanation.
(2) Both the altar of burnt offering (; ; compare ) and the incense altar (; , ; compare ) had “horns,†which are explained to be projections “of one piece with†the wooden framework and covered with the brass (or gold) that covered the altar. They formed the most sacred part of the altar and were anointed with the blood of the most solemn sacrifices (only) (; , , , , ; ; compare ), and according to ; , the first official sacrifices began by anointing them. Consequently cutting off the horns effectually desecrated the altar (), while “sin graven on them†() took all efficacy from the sacrifice. On the other hand they offered the highest sanctuary (, ; ). Of their symbolism nothing whatever is said, and the eventual origin is quite obscure. “Remnants of a bull-cult†and “miniature sacred towers†have been suggested, but are wholly uncertain. A more likely origin is from an old custom of draping the altar with skins of sacrificed animals (RS, 436). That, however, the “horns†were mere conveniences for binding the sacrificial animals (, a custom referred to nowhere else in the Old Testament), is most unlikely. See ALTAR.
(3) The common figurative use of “horn†is taken from the image of battling animals (literal use in , etc.) to denote aggressive strength. So Zedekiah ben Chenaanah illustrates the predicted defeat of the enemies by pushing with iron horns (; ), while “horns of the wildox†(; ; , the King James Version “unicornâ€) represent the magnitude of power, and in -21 “horns†stand for power in general. In the “horns coming out of his hand†denote the potency of Yahweh's gesture (the Revised Version (British and American) “rays†may be smoother, but is weak). So to “exalt the horn†(, ; , etc.) is to clothe with strength, and to “cut off the horn†(not to be explained by ) is to rob of power (; ). Hence, the “horn of salvation†in ; ; is a means of active defense and not a place of sanctuary as in . When, in Dan 7:7-24; , , , , ; ; , , , , many horns are given to the same animal, they figure successive nations or rulers. But the seven horns in ; denote the completeness of the malevolent or righteous power. In , however, the two horns point only to the external imitation of the harmless lamb, the “horns†being mere stubs.