Lexical Summary shor: Ox, bull Original Word: שׁוֹר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bullock, cow, ox From shuwr; a bullock (as a traveller) -- bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for shuwr). see HEBREW shuwr see HEBREW shuwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a head of cattle (bullock, ox, etc.) NASB Translation bull (1), bulls (1), cattle (1), herd (1), ox (65), oxen (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs שׁוֺר78 noun masculineNehemiah 5:18 a head of cattle, bullock, ox, etc. (often + חֲמוֺר, שֶׂה, etc.); — ׳שׁ absolute Isaiah 1:3 +, construct Exodus 21:35 +, suffix שׁוֺרוֺ Exodus 20:17 +, etc.; plural שְׁוָרִים Hosea 12:2; — usually a single head of cattle, without emphasis on sex (opposed to בָּקָר collective Exodus 21:37; Numbers 7:3): as property, spoil of war, etc. Exodus 20:17 (E; Gi Exodus 20:14) = Deuteronomy 5:18, compare Deuteronomy 5:14; Exodus 21:33 (E) "" Deuteronomy 22:4; Exodus 21:37 (twice in verse) ("" בָּקָר of five head), Exodus 22:3; Exodus 22:8; Exodus 22:9; Exodus 22:29; Exodus 23:12 (all E), Deuteronomy 22:1; Genesis 49:6 (poem in J), Deuteronomy 28:31; Judges 6:4; 1 Samuel 12:3; Job 24:3; as licking up (לָחַךְ) grass Numbers 22:4 (J), feeding Psalm 106:20 (in reference to golden calf), compare Isaiah 7:25; Isaiah 32:30; lowing Job 6:5; as intelligent Isaiah 1:3, vicious (goring נָגַח) Exodus 21:28 (3 t. in verse) + 11 t. Exodus 21 (E); used in ploughing Deuteronomy 22:10, threshing Deuteronomy 25:4, compare Proverbs 14:4; drawing wagon Numbers 7:3 (P; opposed to בָּקָר collective); ׳מְּנֵי שׁ Ezekiel 1:10; specifically of male Job 21:10 (opposed to מָּרָה), of female Leviticus 22:28 (H), perhaps also Numbers 18:17 (P), apparently Generic Deuteronomy 15:19; Deuteronomy 33:17 (poem, figurative); rarely collective Genesis 32:6 (+ צאֹן), Exodus 34:19 — compare Leviticus 27:26 (P) — Joshua 6:21; Joshua 7:24 (all J), 1 Samuel 15:3; 1 Samuel 22:19; as slaughtered Proverbs 7:22, for food 1 Samuel 14:34 (twice in verse) (but vb read (אֶתֿ)אֲשֶׁר with ᵐ5 Th We Dr and others), 1 Kings 1:19,25; Deuteronomy 14:4; Leviticus 17:3 (H), compare Nehemiah 5:18 (אֶחָד ׳שׁ), Proverbs 15:17; for sacrifice Judges 6:25 (׳מַּרהַֿשּׁ, text strange, compare GFM), Psalm 69:32 (שׁוֺר מָּר, but join מָּר to vb Bae), 2 Samuel 6:13; Hosea 12:12; Leviticus 9:4,18 (P), Leviticus 22:23,27 (H), Numbers 15:11 (P), Deuteronomy 17:1; Deuteronomy 18:3, compare Leviticus 7:23; Leviticus 9:19; מִשּׁוֺר זֶבַח Leviticus 4:10 (P); illicit sacrifice Isaiah 66:3. [תּוֺר] noun masculine bullock (ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew שׁוֺר, √ III. שׁור); — plural absolute תּוֺרִין, for sacrifice Ezra 6:9,17; as eating grass Daniel 4:22; Daniel 4:29; Daniel 4:30; Daniel 5:21. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Shor designates the domesticated bovine, male or female, used for plowing, threshing, transport, sacrifice, food, and as a monetary standard. The term spans the whole life-cycle—from calf to mature animal—and therefore appears in narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic contexts. Earliest Appearances in Patriarchal Life Oxen signal God-given prosperity (Genesis 12:16; 32:5) and serve as bridal price (Genesis 34:28–29). When Jacob blesses Joseph, “The blessings of your father… are on the crown of the head of the one set apart from his brothers” (Genesis 49:26), the imagery of strength later linked with oxen undergirds tribal identity (“the horns of the wild ox,” Deuteronomy 33:17). Cultic and Sacrificial Usage While Levitical legislation normally speaks of the “bull” (par), Shor is used interchangeably when the emphasis falls on the owner’s domestic herd (Numbers 7:3, 7:17; 15:11). The animal had to be “without defect,” prefiguring the perfect sacrifice of Christ. In Numbers 23:9–10 the burnt offering of “seven bulls and seven rams” (shor) formed part of Balaam’s intended curse, underscoring that even pagan divination recognized the bull’s sacrificial value—yet God turned the curse into blessing. Civil and Criminal Legislation Exodus 21:28–36 establishes case law for goring, grazing damage, and accidental death. Capital liability for a habitually goring ox protects community life and places full responsibility on the owner. Theft restitution escalates to “five oxen for an ox” (Exodus 22:1), attesting the animal’s high economic worth. Deuteronomy 22:1–4 commands the return of straying oxen, embedding neighbor-love in daily agrarian routine. Agricultural and Economic Significance Job’s wealth is counted in oxen (Job 1:14). Elisha’s family owns “twelve yoke of oxen” (1 Kings 19:19), a picture of substantial acreage. Proverbs integrates the animal into practical theology: “Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox” (Proverbs 14:4). Oxen convert human toil into multiplied yield, illustrating stewardship of creation. Labor and Compassion “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain” (Deuteronomy 25:4) grounds Paul’s teaching on ministerial support (1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18). Humane treatment of working animals models God’s wider concern for all creatures and validates remuneration for gospel labor. Symbol of Strength and Royalty Psalm 22:12 speaks of “strong bulls of Bashan,” signifying formidable opposition to David’s greater Son at the cross. In prophetic vision the cherubim bear “the face of an ox” (Ezekiel 1:10; 10:14), portraying tireless service and divine strength at God’s throne. Wisdom and Moral Instruction Proverbs 15:17 contrasts a “fattened ox” at a loveless feast with simple food flavored by love, teaching that relational righteousness outweighs material abundance. The ox metaphor underlines moral consequence: “A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool” (Proverbs 17:10)—the same wordpicture of the animal trained by guidance rather than punishment. Covenant and Eschatology Isaiah indicts covenant violation: “The ox knows its owner… but Israel does not understand” (Isaiah 1:3). The messianic kingdom reverses that ignorance; peace extends to livestock: “The ox and the young lion will graze together” (Isaiah 11:6–7). Christological Foreshadowing The Gospels recall the Sabbath principle protecting oxen (Luke 13:15; 14:5) to expose legalism and reveal the Lord of the Sabbath. In parable, purchased oxen represent worldly preoccupation that hinders banquet attendance (Luke 14:19). Ultimately, the strength and submissive labor of the shor find fulfillment in Jesus, who bears the yoke of redemption and invites the weary to His own (Matthew 11:29–30). Pastoral and Ministry Application 1. Diligence: As the ox plows steadily, so believers labor faithfully, “always excelling in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Summary Shor gathers a rich cluster of meanings—strength, service, sacrifice, and sustenance. From patriarchal tents to prophetic visions, the ox illustrates God’s provision, humanity’s stewardship, and the foreshadowing of Christ’s redemptive work. Its presence across narrative, law, wisdom, and prophecy invites believers to a life marked by responsible labor, compassionate care, and sacrificial worship. Forms and Transliterations בְּשׁוֹר־ בשור־ הַשּׁ֑וֹר הַשּׁ֔וֹר הַשּׁ֖וֹר הַשּׁ֗וֹר הַשּׁ֜וֹר הַשּׁ֤וֹר הַשּׁוֹר֙ השור וְהַשּׁ֖וֹר וְשׁ֖וֹר וְשׁ֣וֹר וְשׁ֥וֹר וְשׁ֧וֹר וְשׁ֨וֹר וְשׁוֹר֣וֹ וְשׁוֹרְךָ֨ וָשׁ֖וֹר והשור ור ושור ושורו ושורך כְּ֭שׁוֹר כשור לְשֹׁרְךָ֖ לַשּׁוֹר֙ לשור לשרך מִשּׁ֖וֹר מִשּׁ֣וֹר מִשּׁ֥וֹר מִשּׁ֧וֹר משור שְׁוָרִ֣ים שּׁ֖וֹר שּׁ֝֗וֹר שֽׁוֹרְךָ֙ שֽׁוֹר־ שֽׁוֹר׃ שׁ֔וֹר שׁ֕וֹר שׁ֖וֹר שׁ֝֗וֹר שׁ֡וֹר שׁ֣וֹר שׁ֥וֹר שׁ֧וֹר שׁ֨וֹר שׁוֹר֙ שׁוֹר֜וֹ שׁוֹר֣וֹ שׁוֹר֧וֹ שׁוֹר֩ שׁוֹר֩ ׀ שׁוֹרְךָ֞ שׁוֹרֶ֔ךָ שׁוֹרוֹ֙ שׁוֹרוֹ֩ שור שור־ שור׃ שורו שורים שורך bə·šō·wr- beshor bəšōwr- haš·šō·wr hashShor haššōwr kə·šō·wr Keshor kəšōwr laš·šō·wr lashshOr laššōwr lə·šō·rə·ḵā leshoreCha ləšōrəḵā miš·šō·wr mishShor miššōwr šə·wā·rîm šəwārîm shevaRim Shor shorCha shoRecha shoRo šō·w·re·ḵā šō·w·rōw šō·wr šō·wr- šō·wr·ḵā šōwr šōwr- šōwreḵā šōwrḵā šōwrōw vaShor vehashShor veShor veshorCha veshoRo vr wā·šō·wr wāšōwr wə·haš·šō·wr wə·šō·w·rōw wə·šō·wr wə·šō·wr·ḵā wəhaššōwr wəšōwr wəšōwrḵā wəšōwrōw wrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 32:5 HEB: וַֽיְהִי־ לִי֙ שׁ֣וֹר וַחֲמ֔וֹר צֹ֖אן NAS: I have oxen and donkeys [and] flocks KJV: And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, INT: have oxen and donkeys flocks Genesis 49:6 Exodus 20:17 Exodus 21:28 Exodus 21:28 Exodus 21:28 Exodus 21:29 Exodus 21:29 Exodus 21:32 Exodus 21:32 Exodus 21:33 Exodus 21:35 Exodus 21:35 Exodus 21:35 Exodus 21:36 Exodus 21:36 Exodus 21:36 Exodus 22:1 Exodus 22:1 Exodus 22:4 Exodus 22:9 Exodus 22:10 Exodus 22:30 Exodus 23:4 Exodus 23:12 79 Occurrences |
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