BRIDLE

The headgear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit and reins, often with other appurtenances.

The word is generally used figuratively in the Bible, or in drawing an illustration. The psalmist says: “Do not make yourselves like a horse or mule without understanding, whose spiritedness is to be curbed even by bridle or halter before they will come near to you.” (Ps. 32:9) Men should not be like unreasoning beasts, unable to guide themselves properly. However, as such brute beasts require correction by whip and bridle, the rod is serviceable for use on the stupid person.—Prov. 26:3.

In Revelation the “vine of the earth” is thrown into a winepress and trodden roughly with the shod feet of horses, the blood coming “as high up as the bridles of the horses, for a distance of a thousand six hundred furlongs [184 miles; 296 kilometers].” (Rev. 14:18-20) So great a depth of blood covering such a distance represents the tremendous scope of the destruction wrought by the angels and reflects the fact that the winepress is big enough to catch all and allow escape for none who make up the symbolic “vine of the earth” at the time of the fullness of its guiltiness.

Jehovah told King Sennacherib of Assyria: “I shall certainly put my hook in your nose and my bridle between your lips, and I shall indeed lead you back by the way by which you have come.” (2 Ki. 19:28; Isa. 37:29) Not willingly, but by Jehovah’s hand, Sennacherib was forced to forgo any siege of Jerusalem and to return to Nineveh, where he was assassinated by his own sons. (2 Ki. 19:35-37; Isa. 37:33-38) Jehovah illustrates the protection he provides for his people by saying that he will put “a bridle bit that causes one to wander about” in the jaws of the peoples who are his enemies, just as beasts are controlled contrary to their desires.—Isa. 30:28.

Job, lamenting his sorrowful condition in sickness and under ridicule, says of his persecutors: “The bridle they left loose on my account.” (Job 30:11) Job’s enemies went ahead full speed, unbridled, in complete disrespect and unrestraint, in venting their hostility upon him.

James the half brother of Jesus gives counsel on the proper use of the tongue, likening the control of it to a bridle. If one has self-control through the application of Scriptural principles, and by this can control the tongue, he can control his entire body. (Jas. 3:2, 3) A bridle on the tongue itself is necessary for one professing to be a worshiper of God, or else his form of worship will be futile.—Jas. 1:26.