In biblical literature, the cow is often used figuratively to convey various spiritual and moral lessons. The imagery of cows appears in several contexts, symbolizing abundance, idolatry, and judgment, among other themes.

1. Symbol of Abundance and Prosperity: In the ancient Near Eastern context, cows were a symbol of wealth and prosperity due to their role in agriculture and sustenance. This symbolism is evident in the dream of Pharaoh, interpreted by Joseph, where seven healthy cows represent seven years of abundance (Genesis 41:26). The imagery of well-fed cows grazing peacefully is often associated with times of plenty and divine blessing.

2. Idolatry and Apostasy: The cow also serves as a symbol of idolatry, most notably in the account of the golden calf. In Exodus 32, the Israelites, in Moses' absence, create a golden calf to worship, which leads to God's anger and judgment. This incident underscores the dangers of turning away from the worship of the true God to idols, represented by the calf, a young cow. The prophet Hosea also references calf-idolatry, warning against the worship of the calf-idol of Samaria (Hosea 8:5-6).

3. Judgment and Reproof: The cow is used metaphorically to depict judgment and reproof. In Amos 4:1, the prophet addresses the "cows of Bashan," a term used to describe the wealthy women of Samaria who oppress the poor and crush the needy. This metaphor highlights their indulgence and moral corruption, drawing a parallel between their behavior and the well-fed, yet oblivious, cows of Bashan.

4. Peace and Restoration: In prophetic literature, the cow is sometimes used to illustrate peace and restoration. Isaiah 11:7 envisions a future time of harmony in God's kingdom, where "the cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together." This imagery portrays a world where natural enmities are reconciled, symbolizing the peace and restoration that will characterize the Messianic age.

5. Spiritual Nourishment and Growth: The cow's role in providing milk can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment. In 1 Corinthians 3:2, Paul uses the metaphor of milk to describe the basic teachings of the faith, necessary for spiritual growth and maturity. While not directly referencing cows, the imagery of milk as sustenance is rooted in the cow's provision.

Throughout Scripture, the cow serves as a multifaceted symbol, reflecting themes of prosperity, idolatry, judgment, peace, and spiritual nourishment. These figurative uses underscore the cow's significance in conveying deeper spiritual truths and moral lessons within the biblical narrative.Amos 4:1
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
Nave's Topical Index

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... The figurative reason of this sacrifice was that the red cow signified Christ in
respect his assumed weakness, denoted by the female sex; while the color of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
... Yet it must be allowed, that the highly figurative language in which many of these ...
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvii the extent of.htm

False Teachings of the Apostasy.
... And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down ... The wolf dwelling
with the Lamb is figurative language, and never will be literally ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii false teachings of.htm

The Book of Enoch
... The first similitude or figurative address (chaps. ... primitive man we read, a white
bullock (Adam) sprang forth from the earth, and then a white cow (Eve), and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of enoch.htm

The Sin-Bearer.
... Had the sorrow been figurative, the sin-bearing might have been mythical; but the
one ... and he saith to them, "Ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the sin-bearer.htm

V. ...
... These words are, indeed, figurative; for he did not mean literal milk, or literal
sucking ... a little maid-servant why she scours the key or milks the cow, she can ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v .htm

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