Topical Bible: Heifer used for Pulling

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In biblical times, the heifer was a young female cow that had not borne a calf. It held significant agricultural and religious importance in ancient Israelite society. The heifer was often used for labor, particularly for pulling plows and carts, which was essential for farming and transportation.

Agricultural Role:

The heifer's role in agriculture is implied in various biblical passages that describe the daily life and labor of the Israelites. While the Bible does not explicitly detail the use of heifers for pulling, it is understood from the context of agrarian society that these animals were integral to farming activities. The strength and endurance of heifers made them suitable for tasks such as plowing fields, which was crucial for planting crops and ensuring food supply.

Symbolic and Religious Significance:

The heifer also held symbolic and religious significance in the Old Testament. One of the most notable references is the ordinance of the red heifer, as described in Numbers 19. This ritual involved the sacrifice of a red heifer without blemish, which was used for purification purposes. The ashes of the red heifer were mixed with water to create a purification solution for those who had come into contact with a corpse. This practice underscored the importance of ritual purity in maintaining a relationship with God.

Biblical References:

While the specific use of heifers for pulling is not directly mentioned, the Bible does provide insights into the broader use of cattle in agricultural settings. For example, Proverbs 14:4 states, "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox." This proverb highlights the essential role of cattle in achieving a successful harvest, which would have included the use of heifers for plowing and other labor.

Additionally, the heifer is mentioned in the context of offerings and sacrifices. In 1 Samuel 16:2 , when God instructs Samuel to anoint David as king, Samuel expresses fear of Saul's reaction. God tells him, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'" This passage illustrates the heifer's role in sacrificial practices, which were central to Israelite worship and covenantal life.

Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, the use of heifers and other cattle for labor was common practice. The Israelites, like their neighbors, relied on these animals to sustain their agrarian lifestyle. The heifer's dual role in both practical and religious contexts reflects the interconnectedness of daily life and spiritual observance in biblical times.

The heifer, therefore, serves as a symbol of both the mundane and the sacred, embodying the practical needs of an agrarian society while also participating in the religious rituals that defined the Israelites' covenant relationship with God.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 14:18
And the men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion? and he said to them, If you had not plowed with my heifer, you had not found out my riddle.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Nile and Egypt
... arms"Primitive life-Fishing and hunting"The lasso and "bolas""The domestication
of animals"Plants used for food ... The goddess Nit, the heifer born from ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Holy War,
... I have used similitudes.'"Hosea ... in the town, Both when 'twas set up, and when pulling
down; I ... would'st know My riddle, and would'st with my heifer plough, It ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm