Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
Made of horn or metal, and of various shapes, sizes, and uses
Used much figuratively (Deut. 33:17; 1 Sam. 16:1; Job 16:15; Jer. 48:25).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
These are referred to in scripture as
1. On the altar, the projections placed at its corners, on which the blood of the sacrifices was placed, and to which culprits clung for protection (Ex. 38:2; Lev. 4:7; 1 Kings 1:50).
2. For trumpets, especially rams’ horns (Josh. 6:4-13).
Ram’s Horn Trumpet
3. For holding oil (1 Sam. 16:1,13).
4. For holding ink (Ezek. 9:2-3).
5. They were worn in the East as a symbol of exaltation and power. Jehovah was David’s horn of salvation. He exalted the horn of His people, and brake the horns of the wicked (Psa. 18:2; Psa. 75:10; Psa. 148:14).
6. Horns are spoken of frequently in Daniel and the Revelation as a symbol for kings: “the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings” (Dan. 7:7-24; Dan. 8:3-21; Rev. 12:3; Rev. 13:1; Rev. 17:3-16).
From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
1 Samuel 2:1. Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord.
The horn is an emblem of power and of dignity; the exaltation of the horn therefore expresses elevation of privilege and honor, and its depression represents the opposite. See also 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 16:15; Psalm 75:4-5; 89:17,24; 92:10; 112:9. The Druse ladies on Mount Lebanon wear a horn as a part of their head-dress. These horns are made of various materials according to the wealth of the owner: dough, pasteboard, pottery, tin, silver, and gold. They vary in length from six inches to two feet and a half, and are three or four inches in diameter at the base, tapering almost to a point. The veil is thrown over the horn, and from it flows gracefully down. When once put on, the horn is never taken off; it remains on the wearer’s head by day and at night, through sickness and health, even down to death.
It has been supposed by many writers that the passages above cited all refer to this article of costume, and it is frequently spoken of as an illustration of them. It should be borne in mind, however, that some of the most judicious critics deny all such reference, there being no evidence that the horn was ever used by the Hebrews. It appears rather to be a fashion of comparatively modern date. As good an interpretation of the above passages can be given by supposing the horn to refer to the natural weapon of beasts, and to be used in a figurative sense, as by imagining it to refer to an artificial ornament for human beings.
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