The term "calve" in the Bible primarily refers to the process of a cow giving birth to a calf. This natural event is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, often symbolizing fertility, prosperity, and the provision of God. The imagery of calving is used to convey both literal and metaphorical meanings, reflecting the agrarian society of ancient Israel and the surrounding regions.

Biblical References:

1. Job 21:10 : "Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry." This verse highlights the prosperity and blessing of the wicked, as observed by Job. The successful calving of cows is depicted as a sign of wealth and divine favor, contrasting with Job's own suffering and loss.

2. Psalm 29:9 : "The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, 'Glory!'" While the BSB does not use the term "calve" directly in this verse, other translations mention the voice of the Lord causing the deer to give birth. This imagery underscores the power and majesty of God's voice, which commands nature and life itself.

3. Jeremiah 14:5 : "Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass." Although the term "calve" is not used here, the imagery of animals giving birth and the subsequent abandonment due to drought reflects the dire circumstances faced by Judah. It serves as a metaphor for the nation's spiritual barrenness and the consequences of turning away from God.

Symbolism and Themes:

· Fertility and Prosperity: In the ancient Near East, livestock was a primary measure of wealth and sustenance. The ability of cows to calve successfully was a direct indicator of a family's or nation's prosperity. This is evident in Job 21:10, where the calving of cows without miscarriage is a sign of divine blessing.

· Divine Power and Control: The act of calving, as influenced by God's voice or command, illustrates His sovereignty over creation. Psalm 29:9, though not directly mentioning calving in the BSB, uses similar imagery to convey God's authority over nature.

· Judgment and Desolation: In Jeremiah 14:5, the lack of grass leading to the abandonment of newborns symbolizes the judgment and desolation brought upon the land due to the people's unfaithfulness. The absence of successful calving reflects the withdrawal of God's favor and the resulting hardship.

Cultural Context:

In biblical times, the successful calving of livestock was crucial for survival and economic stability. Cattle provided milk, meat, and labor, making them invaluable assets. The imagery of calving, therefore, resonated deeply with the original audience, who understood the implications of both abundance and scarcity in their agrarian society.

The use of calving in biblical literature serves as a powerful metaphor for God's provision, the consequences of sin, and the overarching theme of divine sovereignty. Through these references, the Bible communicates profound spiritual truths using the familiar and tangible experiences of everyday life.1. (v. i.) To bring forth a calf.

2. (v. i.) To bring forth young; to produce offspring.

3205. yalad -- to bear, bring forth, beget
... bear, beget, birthday, born, make to bring forth children, young, bring up,
calve,. A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to ...
/hebrew/3205.htm - 7k

2342. chuwl -- to whirl, dance, writhe
... bear, make to bring forth, make to calve, dance, drive away, fall grievously
with pain Or chiyl {kheel}; a primitive root; properly ...
/hebrew/2342.htm - 6k

6403. palat -- to escape
... calve, carry away safe, deliver, cause to escape. A primitive root; to slip
out, ie Escape; causatively, to deliver -- calve, carry ...
/hebrew/6403.htm - 6k

2342a. chul -- to whirl, dance, writhe
... NASB Word Usage anguish (6), becomes weak waiting (1), birth to you in pain (1),
born (1), brings forth (1), brought forth (4), burst (1), calve (1), calving (1 ...
/hebrew/2342a.htm - 6k

Psalm XLVII.
... No, but blindness in part is happened to Israel, that senseless children might cry,
"Calve," "Calve;" and so the Lord might be crucified in the place of Calvary ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlvii.htm

The Creator's Joy in his Creation
... Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? Or canst thou
mark when the hinds do calve? Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the creators joy in.htm

Psalm 29
... The Lord doth make the wilderness. of Kadesh all to quake. ^9God's voice doth make
the hinds to calve,. it makes the forest bare: And in his temple ev'ry one. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 29.htm

The Majestic Voice
... "The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve." By this I understand what the
ancients believed"that so affrighted were the hinds by the noise of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the majestic voice.htm

The Tabernacle of the Most High
... his voice upon the waters. Hearken to him; his voice breaks the cedars
of Lebanon and makes the hinds to calve. See him when he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the tabernacle of the most.htm

What are the Clouds?
... Hark to the thunder as it shakes the earth, causes the hinds to calve, and discovereth
the forests; we shake not at the sound. "The God that rules on high,. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/what are the clouds.htm

Calve (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Calve (3 Occurrences). Job 21:10 Their bulls
breed without fail. Their cows calve, and don't miscarry. ...
/c/calve.htm - 7k

Hinds (7 Occurrences)
... Job 39:1 Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst
thou mark when the hinds do calve? (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/h/hinds.htm - 8k

Calvary (1 Occurrence)

/c/calvary.htm - 8k

Whirl (5 Occurrences)
... Whirl (5 Occurrences). Psalms 29:9 Yahweh's voice makes the deer calve, and strips
the forests bare. In his temple everything says, "Glory!" (See RSV). ...
/w/whirl.htm - 8k

Forests (12 Occurrences)
... and towers. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Psalms 29:9 Yahweh's voice makes
the deer calve, and strips the forests bare. In his temple ...
/f/forests.htm - 10k

Twists (12 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Psalms 29:9 Yahweh's voice makes the deer calve, and strips the forests
bare. In his temple everything says, "Glory!" (See NIV). ...
/t/twists.htm - 9k

Discovereth (2 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY). Psalms 29:9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth
the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. (KJV). ...
/d/discovereth.htm - 6k

Mates (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mates (1 Occurrence). Job 21:10 Their bulls breed
without fail. Their cows calve, and don't miscarry. (See NAS). ...
/m/mates.htm - 6k

Miscarry (4 Occurrences)
... I will fulfill the number of your days. (WEB JPS YLT NAS NIV). Job 21:10 Their bulls
breed without fail. Their cows calve, and don't miscarry. (WEB YLT NIV). ...
/m/miscarry.htm - 7k

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