In the biblical context, the term "bullock" refers to a young bull, often used in various sacrificial and ceremonial practices as outlined in the Old Testament. The laws concerning the rest for bullocks are primarily found within the broader framework of the Sabbath and the sabbatical year, which emphasize rest and rejuvenation for both humans and animals.

Sabbath Rest for Animals

The Sabbath commandment, as given in the Ten Commandments, extends beyond human rest to include animals, such as bullocks. In Exodus 20:8-10 , the commandment states: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates." This passage explicitly includes livestock, ensuring that bullocks, along with other animals, are granted a day of rest from labor.

Sabbatical Year

The sabbatical year, observed every seventh year, also provides rest for the land and, by extension, the animals that work it. Leviticus 25:6-7 states: "Whatever the land yields during the Sabbath year will be food for you—for yourself, your manservant and maidservant, the hired hand or foreigner who stays with you, and for your livestock and the wild animals in your land. All its growth may serve as food." During this year, the land lies fallow, and the bullocks, which would typically be used for plowing and other agricultural tasks, are given a reprieve from their labor.

Ethical Treatment and Compassion

The laws concerning rest for bullocks reflect a broader biblical principle of compassion and ethical treatment of animals. Proverbs 12:10 underscores this principle: "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty." The inclusion of animals in the Sabbath and sabbatical laws highlights the importance of mercy and care for all of God's creation.

Symbolic Significance

In addition to their practical implications, the laws concerning rest for bullocks carry symbolic significance. They serve as a reminder of God's provision and sovereignty over creation, as well as the need for humans to trust in His care rather than relying solely on their own efforts. By observing these laws, the Israelites were called to acknowledge God's authority and to participate in His rhythm of work and rest.

In summary, the biblical laws concerning rest for bullocks are an integral part of the Sabbath and sabbatical year observances, reflecting a divine mandate for rest, compassion, and ethical treatment of animals. These laws serve as a testament to the holistic care that God commands for His creation, encompassing both human and animal life.Exodus 23:12
Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest: that your ox and your ass may rest, and the son of your handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus
... the high priest shall offer a bullock, the community ... In xxiv.1-9, are regulations
concerning the lampstand ... is interrupted by a few laws concerning injury to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... They brought also a young bullock, and a ram, with a ... Hebrews did not transgress any
of those laws, either as ... But I say no more here concerning them, because I ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

What did Moses Write?
... afterward come into the camp; the bullock and the ... Large parts of the legislation
concerning leprosy are full ... There are also laws requiring that all the animals ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter ii what did moses.htm

Priest and victim
... of all the earth will not suffer his laws to be ... did not offer lamb or ram, bird or
bullock; but "himself ... I have seen criticisms concerning what is called "the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/priest and victim.htm

Perseverance in Holiness
... We noticed concerning the fig tree, that it was confirmed ... people, that if they would
keep his laws and walk ... bowed down before the image of a bullock that hath ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/perseverance in holiness.htm

The Book of Enoch
... heaven and earth, which obeyed fixed laws and never ... cow gave birth to a white bullock
(Seth), which ... definite statement in this passage concerning the general ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of enoch.htm

The Unbeliever's Unhappy Condition
... unchastity and constant violation of all the laws of order ... great crime is also incapable
of shame concerning it ... thrust aside by the image of a bullock that hath ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the unbelievers unhappy condition.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... Wherefore it remaineth, that the rest of your book, viz. ... p.7). Then p.9 you tell
us, that 'the reasons of the positive laws [that is, concerning things in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... concerns itself about Christ and not concerning mere abstract ... son could not happen
unless the laws of nature ... suppose that these pieces of the bullock, the lamb ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch
... For even as a young bullock [1012] linked to a ... fifth, that our minds may be wise
concerning the doctrine ... man that was a tyrant overthrowing the laws of marriage ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i this homily was.htm

Bullock: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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