Definition and Context:
Lowing refers to the deep, prolonged sound made by cattle, often associated with distress or a call for attention. In biblical contexts, lowing is mentioned in relation to cattle, particularly in narratives involving the Ark of the Covenant and sacrificial practices.

Biblical References:
The most notable mention of lowing in the Bible is found in the account of the Ark of the Covenant's return to Israel from the land of the Philistines. In 1 Samuel 6:12 , it is recorded: "And the cows went straight up the road to Beth-shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing as they went; they did not turn to the right or to the left. And the lords of the Philistines followed them to the border of Beth-shemesh."

Historical and Theological Significance:
The lowing of the cows in this passage is significant for several reasons. First, it underscores the miraculous nature of the event. The cows, which had never been yoked and had recently calved, were expected to return to their calves. Instead, they proceeded directly to Beth-shemesh, guided by divine intervention, as indicated by their continuous lowing. This sound symbolized their natural distress at being separated from their calves, yet they were compelled by a higher power to fulfill God's purpose.

Theologically, the lowing of the cows can be seen as a testament to God's sovereignty and ability to use even the natural instincts of animals to accomplish His will. It also serves as a reminder of the Philistines' recognition of the power of the God of Israel, as they witnessed the cows' unwavering journey and the return of the Ark.

Cultural and Symbolic Implications:
In ancient Near Eastern culture, cattle were valuable assets, integral to agriculture and religious practices. The lowing of cattle could symbolize abundance and prosperity, but in the context of 1 Samuel 6, it also represents submission to divine authority. The event highlights the contrast between human expectation and divine orchestration, as the natural behavior of the cows was overridden by God's command.

Related Concepts:
Lowing is often associated with sacrifice and offerings in the Old Testament. Cattle were commonly used in sacrificial rituals, and their sounds would have been familiar to the Israelites as part of their worship practices. The lowing of cattle during sacrifices could evoke a sense of solemnity and reverence, reminding the people of the cost of atonement and the seriousness of their covenant with God.

In summary, the concept of lowing in the Bible, particularly in the narrative of the Ark's return, serves as a powerful illustration of God's control over creation and His ability to direct events according to His divine plan.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Low.

2. (n.) The calling sound made by cows and other bovine animals.

3456. mukterizo -- to turn up the nose or sneer at
... mock. From a derivative of the base of mukaomai (meaning snout, as that whence lowing
proceeds); to make mouths at, ie Ridicule -- mock. see GREEK mukaomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3456.htm - 6k6963. qol -- sound, voice
... sound, voice NASB Word Usage birds (1), bleating (1), crackling (2), cry (2), crying
(1), growl* (1), listen (4), loudly (1), loudness (1), lowing (2), news (1 ...
/hebrew/6963.htm - 6k

1600. gaah -- to low
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to low NASB Word Usage low (1), lowing (1).
low. A primitive root; to bellow (as cattle) -- low. 1599, 1600. gaah. 1601 > ...
/hebrew/1600.htm - 5k

1601. Goah -- a place near Jer.
... NASB Word Usage Goah (1). Goath. Feminine active participle of ga'ah; lowing; Goah,
a place near Jerusalem -- Goath. see HEBREW ga'ah. 1600, 1601. Goah. 1602 ...
/hebrew/1601.htm - 6k

Saul Rejected
... 14. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine
ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? 15. And ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/saul rejected.htm

Matt. Ii. 1, 2
... accident which brought the disease;"("for if," it is said, "they break the yoke
in pieces for want of practice, or turn where their calves are lowing, it is ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily vi matt ii 1.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... His flocks dotted the plains, and his cattle sent down their lowing from encircling
hills. But more than these to him was the affection of his beautiful wife. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

When travelling lately through the Simplon
... left to rust on the branch. If he was ploughing with his yoke of oxen, they
must be left lowing in the furrow. If he was busied in ...
/.../the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/i when travelling lately through.htm

1 John iv. 17-21
... cow's udders with a force that almost lifts up the mother's body, yet does she not
kick them off; nay, if the young one be not there to suck, the lowing of the ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily ix 1 john iv.htm

Liii. The Contemplation of Death.
... in Europe, here in England, it is all the same, an "Auburn" among villages, with
thatched cottages, and green pastures, and the cows coming home lowing in the ...
/.../liii the contemplation of death.htm

David's Dying Prayer
... The lowing of the cattle, the singing of the birds, the leaping of the fishes, and
the delights of animal creation, are still acceptable as votive offerings to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/davids dying prayer.htm

Why are Men Saved?
... If we listen to the rippling of the freshet at the mountain side, to the tumbling
of the avalanche, to the lowing of the cattle, to the singing of the birds ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/why are men saved.htm

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... And this world is singing too; sometimes with the loud noise of the rolling thunder,
of the boiling sea of the dashing cataract, and of the lowing cattle; and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

The Jerusalem Climate.
... Below, the only music was that of the babe's holy young mother, God's chosen one
to mother His Son, crooning to her babe; and the gentle lowing in minor key of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the jerusalem climate.htm

Lowing (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Low. 2. (n.) The calling sound made by cows and other bovine
animals. Multi-Version Concordance Lowing (3 Occurrences). ...
/l/lowing.htm - 7k

Lowings (1 Occurrence)

/l/lowings.htm - 6k

Loweth (1 Occurrence)

/l/loweth.htm - 6k

Goath (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A lowing, a place near Jerusalem, mentioned only in
Jeremiah 31:39. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GOAH; GOATH. ...
/g/goath.htm - 7k

Meaneth (9 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV WBS). 1 Samuel 15:14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating
of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? ...
/m/meaneth.htm - 9k

Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:12 And the kine took the straight way by the way to Beth-shemesh; they
went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the ...
/b/beth-she'mesh.htm - 12k

Bleating (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Samuel 15:14 Samuel said, "Then what does this bleating of the sheep in my ears,
and the lowing of the cattle which I hear mean?" (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS ...
/b/bleating.htm - 6k

Shemesh (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:12 The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh; they went
along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn't turn aside to the right ...
/s/shemesh.htm - 14k

Cows (33 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:12 The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh; they went
along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn't turn aside to the right ...
/c/cows.htm - 15k

Kine (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 6:12 And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and
went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right ...
/k/kine.htm - 16k

What were the emerods God afflicted the Philistines with in 1 Samuel 5? | GotQuestions.org

Lowing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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