Definition and Usage in Biblical Times:

Beef, the flesh of cattle, is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible as a distinct category of meat, but cattle are frequently referenced as important livestock in ancient Israelite society. Cattle were valued for their milk, hides, and as beasts of burden, as well as for their meat. The consumption of beef would have been less common than other meats, such as lamb or goat, due to the value of cattle for other purposes.

Cattle in Biblical Context:

Cattle are mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, often symbolizing wealth and prosperity. In Genesis 13:2, it is noted that "Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold." This indicates the significance of cattle as a measure of wealth. Similarly, in Job 1:3, Job's wealth is described in terms of his vast number of livestock, including cattle.

Dietary Laws and Sacrifices:

The Mosaic Law, as outlined in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, includes specific regulations regarding clean and unclean animals. Cattle are considered clean animals and are permissible for consumption. Leviticus 11:3 states, "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud." Cattle meet these criteria, making beef an acceptable food for the Israelites.

Cattle were also used in sacrificial offerings. Leviticus 1:3-5 describes the burnt offering of a bull, which was a common practice for atonement and worship. The offering of cattle was a significant act, reflecting the value and importance of these animals in Israelite society.

Symbolism and Metaphors:

Cattle are often used metaphorically in the Bible to convey strength, stubbornness, or abundance. In Psalm 50:10, God declares, "For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills." This verse emphasizes God's sovereignty and ownership over all creation, using cattle as a symbol of abundance.

In the New Testament, the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:23 mentions the fattened calf, which is slaughtered to celebrate the son's return. This illustrates the joy and celebration associated with reconciliation and forgiveness.

Cultural and Historical Significance:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, cattle were integral to agricultural life. They were used for plowing fields, threshing grain, and as a source of milk and meat. The domestication and breeding of cattle were crucial for the sustenance and economic stability of communities.

The Israelites, like their neighbors, relied on cattle for various aspects of daily life. The presence of cattle in biblical narratives underscores their role in the agrarian society of the time.

Conclusion:

While beef itself is not specifically highlighted in the Bible, the role of cattle as a source of meat and their broader significance in biblical times is evident. Cattle were central to the economy, religious practices, and cultural life of the Israelites, reflecting their importance in the biblical narrative.1. (n.) An animal of the genus Bos, especially the common species, B. taurus, including the bull, cow, and ox, in their full grown state; esp., an ox or cow fattened for food.

2. (n.) The flesh of an ox, or cow, or of any adult bovine animal, when slaughtered for food.

3. (n.) Applied colloquially to human flesh.

4. (a.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, beef.

BEEF

bef.

See CATTLE.

1016. bous -- an ox, a cow
... ox. Probably from the base of bosko; an ox (as grazing), ie An animal of that species
("beef") -- ox. see GREEK bosko. (boas) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1016.htm - 6k1241. baqar -- cattle, herd, an ox
... From baqar; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used
for plowing); collectively, a herd -- beeve, bull (+ -ock), + calf, + cow ...
/hebrew/1241.htm - 6k

Voyage to India.
... To the surprise of us new-comers, roast beef was on our dinner-table that
day. We thought it strange that in the land where the ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter i voyage to india.htm

Dr. Arnott's Dog "Rover. "
... All the crumbs that fall on the floor he picks up, and seems eager for them, but
when his master takes a plate of beef and puts it on the floor and says, 'Rover ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/dr arnotts dog rover.htm

Kumaon.
... in the Province, and the only Englishmen were civil officials, officers of native
regiments, and a few casual travellers, the prohibition of beef caused little ...
/.../kennedy/life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xx kumaon.htm

Brother Hugh
... Goodbye to beef, butter, and good red wheat; white corn, sad vegetables, cold water,
sackcloth take their place, with fasts on bread and water, and festivals ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ii brother hugh.htm

"There, Baby!" Said Diamond; "I'M So Happy that I Can Only Sing ...
... "I could have taken Nanny's crossing till she came back; and then the money, instead
of going for Old Sal's gin, would have gone for father's beef-tea. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 25 there baby said.htm

The American Experiments, 1734-1762.
... Brethren would have to be careful in matters of diet, and rather astonished the
Sisters by giving them detailed instructions about the cooking of rice and beef ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiv the american experiments.htm

A Tricky Ox
... This ox is kept in the stockyards at Chicago. In those stockyards they kill
thousands of cattle every year to give us beef to eat. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/a tricky ox.htm

Come Now, if Some Philosopher Affirms, as Laberius Holds...
... food? May any one have the persuasion that he should so abstain, lest by
chance in his beef he eats of some ancestor of his? But ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xlviii come now if.htm

And as we are Now Speaking of the Animals Sacrificed...
... and does this one avoid tough ox-beef that he may not overtax his weak stomach,
and choose tender [4853] sucklings that he may digest them more speedily? ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/18 and as we are.htm

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... [4259] With the latter the favorite food was young meat: goats, lambs, calves.
Beef was not so often used, and still more rarely fowls. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

Beef
... 3. (n.) Applied colloquially to human flesh. 4. (a.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling,
beef. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BEEF. bef. See CATTLE. ...
/b/beef.htm - 6k

Salt (45 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) of or relating to salt; abounding in, or containing, salt; prepared or
preserved with, or tasting of, salt; salted; as, salt beef; salt water. 11. ...
/s/salt.htm - 34k

Beeves (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (an old English plural of the word beef), a name ... Noah
Webster's Dictionary. (n.) Plural of Beef. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/b/beeves.htm - 8k

Bee (1 Occurrence)

/b/bee.htm - 10k

Olive (61 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) An olivary body. See under Olivary. 8. (n.) A small slice of meat
seasoned, rolled up, and cooked; as, olives of beef or veal. ...
/o/olive.htm - 37k

Round (664 Occurrences)
... of politicians. 29. (n.) See Roundtop. 30. (n.) Same as Round of beef, below.
31. (adv.) On all sides; around. 32. (adv.) Circularly ...
/r/round.htm - 40k

Rump (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Among butchers, the piece of beef between the sirloin and the aitchbone
piece. 3. (n.) The hind or tail end; a fag-end; a remnant. Int. ...
/r/rump.htm - 9k

Rare (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Early. 2. (superl.) Nearly raw; partially cooked;
not thoroughly cooked; underdone; as, rare beef or mutton. ...
/r/rare.htm - 9k

Roast (8 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) That which is roasted; a piece of meat which has been roasted, or is suitable
for being roasted. 10. (a.) Roasted; as, roast beef. Int. ...
/r/roast.htm - 10k

Eat (690 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To take food; to feed; especially, to take solid, in distinction from liquid,
food; to board. 6. (vi) To taste or relish; as, it eats like tender beef. ...
/e/eat.htm - 35k

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