Deuteronomy 17:16
But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
Cross-reference
Deuteronomy 28:68 threatens a return to Egypt as slaves — the curse that fulfills the warning 'you shall never return that way again.'
In Numbers 14:3, the Israelites longed to return to Egypt; Deuteronomy 17:16 later warns the king against leading them back that way.
Hosea 14:3 voices repentance: 'we will not ride on horses' — renouncing the very trust in military might forbidden here.
In Hosea 11:5, God says Israel will not return to Egypt; Deuteronomy 17:16 earlier commanded the king not to lead them back.
Ezekiel 17:15 describes Zedekiah's rebellion and request for horses from Egypt — a direct historical breach of the prohibition.
In Jeremiah 42:16, the consequence of returning to Egypt is sword and famine; Deuteronomy 17:16 similarly forbids that return.
In Jeremiah 42:15, the remnant is warned against going to Egypt; this echoes the same prohibition in Deuteronomy 17:16 against returning.
Jeremiah 42:14 records the people's plan to go to Egypt for safety — a clear violation of the command never to return that way.
Isaiah 36:9 taunts Judah for relying on Egypt for chariots and horsemen — directly tied to the prohibition against returning to Egypt for horses.
Isaiah 31:1-3 pronounces woe on those who go to Egypt for horses and chariots, directly echoing the warning in Deuteronomy 17:16.
Psalm 20:7 contrasts trusting in horses and chariots with trusting in God, reinforcing the same principle of reliance on the Lord.
2 Chronicles 9:25 records Solomon's vast stables — a direct violation of the command here not to multiply horses.
In 1 Kings 10:26-28, Solomon imports horses from Egypt, directly violating the warning not to acquire many horses or return to Egypt for them.
In 1 Kings 4:26, Solomon amasses vast numbers of horses and chariots, a direct violation of the command not to acquire many horses.
In 1 Samuel 8:11, Samuel warns that a king will take sons for chariots and horsemen, illustrating the accumulation of horses prohibited here.
In Numbers 14:4, the people plan to return to Egypt; Deuteronomy 17:16 prohibits the king from causing such a return.
In Exodus 14:13, God delivered Israel from Egypt; Deuteronomy 17:16 forbids returning there for horses, grounding the command in that deliverance.
In 2 Chronicles 9:28, Solomon imports horses from Egypt, exactly what the prohibition forbids.
In 2 Chronicles 1:14, Solomon amasses horses and chariots, directly violating the command not to multiply horses.
In Isaiah 2:7, the land is full of horses and treasure, mirroring the forbidden multiplication.
In 2 Kings 18:24, the Assyrian taunts Judah's reliance on Egyptian horses, illustrating the danger Deuteronomy 17:16 warns against.
In 1 Kings 10:28, Solomon imports horses from Egypt, directly breaking the prohibition in Deuteronomy 17:16.
In 2 Samuel 15:1, Absalom acquires horses and chariots, violating the command in Deuteronomy 17:16 against kings multiplying horses.
In Jeremiah 42:19, the Lord commands the remnant not to go to Egypt, directly reinforcing the prohibition.
In Matthew 21:5, Jesus enters humbly on a donkey, contrasting the king who multiplies horses.
In John 12:15, Jesus rides a donkey, contrasting the proud king with many horses.
In Isaiah 30:6, Israel carries treasures to Egypt for help, echoing the warning against relying on Egypt.