BIBLE DICTIONARY
Chariot

A vehicle, generally used for purposes of war (Ex. 14: 7; Josh. 17: 18; Judg. 1: 19; Judg. 4: 3; 1 Sam. 13: 5). Up to the time of David the Israelites had few chariots (1 Sam. 8: 11-12); in later times a regular force was maintained (2 Sam. 8: 4; 1 Kgs. 10: 26). The armies that fought against Israel also had chariots, such as the Syrians (2 Sam. 8: 4; 2 Kgs. 8: 21), the Assyrians (2 Kgs. 19: 23), and the Persians (Isa. 22: 6-7). The Israelite fighting chariot was probably after the Egyptian model, the plan of which is known from Egyptian paintings and reliefs still in existence.