Neal Pollard
James Hastings, the scholar of more than a century ago, wrote in his classic work, Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics (1903, p. 280), about ancient Greek and Roman gods and goddesses of plenty and fertility, from Dispater, Hades-Pluto, Cernunnos, and Aeracura, who often were horned or having hammer and cup. In early inscriptions from the Rhine valley, there are depictions of Aeracura holding a cornucopia. Many cite the fight between two Greek gods for the affections for a king’s beautiful daughter. The horn was filled by nymphs with flowers and the myth grew and changed from there through time.
However, that is not to say the cornucopia is simply another symbol originating in paganism. Although some specific symbols and depictions would have come from their own imagination and practices, the Old Testament often shows the “horn” as a symbol of power. Thus, David exults God for being the horn of his salvation (2 Sam. 22:3). Repeatedly, in the Psalms, David speaks of God causing the righteous man’s horn to be exalted (cf. 89:17; 92:10; 148:14; etc.). In Daniel’s, Micah’s, and Zechariah’s prophesies, the horn appears in visions as symbols of power and strength.
Whatever the exact origins of the cornucopia, the figure has come to symbolize what the name means: “the horn of plenty.” Certainly, our nation has been thought of as the horn of plenty, as God has blessed us with abundance. Today, as every day, we should spend considerable time in prayer thanking Him for all He has given us. Yet, Christians live out entire lives in Christ as beneficiaries of endless, unsearchable riches and blessings. From the cornucopia of God’s grace and mercy, we enjoy all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3). We will never get to the end of our list of things for which we should be thankful because of our relationship with God! But, may we always spend more time counting these things from God’s hand than we spend focused on our limitations, detriments, and burdens. God gives us the abundant life now (John 10:10), and He is preparing an eternal home for us (John 14:1ff). Take some time, today, tomorrow, and each day thereafter, thanking God for giving us a superabundant horn of plenty through Christ!
The Preacher Pollard Blog 
I like this, especially since I’m presenting a talk on Jesus being our horn of plenty to our school’s weekly chapel service tomorrow. Thank you and God bless!
Thanks! Hope it went well. God bless!
This article is 10 years old , However I really appreciate it. Just reading a comment the other day about cornucopia’s originating with pagans. We know satan tries to copycat everything of God. The OT mentions the ‘ Horn or David’ as a good thing , a symbol of power. The comment I read the other day would lead the reader to believe that horns are strictly of pagan origin. Not so ! Glad I took time out to go online , find this article and do research on the subject. Thank you !