Topical Bible: Wild Ox: Great Strength of

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The wild ox, often referred to in biblical texts, is a symbol of immense strength and untamed power. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the wild ox, or "reem" in Hebrew, is believed to be a reference to a now-extinct species of large, powerful bovine, possibly the aurochs. This creature is frequently mentioned in the Bible to illustrate strength and might, serving as a metaphor for God's power and the vigor of His people.

Biblical References:

1. Numbers 23:22 : "God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox." This verse highlights the formidable power with which God delivered the Israelites from bondage, comparing His might to that of a wild ox. The imagery suggests an unstoppable force, emphasizing God's ability to protect and lead His people with unparalleled strength.

2. Numbers 24:8 : "God brought him out of Egypt; He is as strong as a wild ox." Here, the strength of the wild ox is again used to describe the power of God in delivering Israel. The repetition of this imagery in the Balaam oracles underscores the consistent biblical theme of divine strength and protection.

3. Deuteronomy 33:17 : "His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth." This blessing of Joseph by Moses uses the wild ox to symbolize the strength and majesty of Joseph's descendants. The horns, a common biblical symbol of power, suggest the ability to conquer and prevail over adversaries.

4. Job 39:9-12 : "Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will it stay by your manger at night? Can you hold it to the furrow with a harness? Will it plow the valleys behind you? Can you rely on its great strength? Will you leave your heavy work to it? Can you trust it to bring in your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?" In this passage, God challenges Job by pointing out the untamable nature of the wild ox, emphasizing its strength and independence. The rhetorical questions highlight the creature's power and the futility of human attempts to control it, thus illustrating the greatness of God's creation.

5. Psalm 92:10 : "But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil." The psalmist uses the wild ox to express a sense of empowerment and divine favor. The exaltation of the horn signifies strength and victory, suggesting that God has endowed the psalmist with renewed vigor and authority.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, the wild ox serves as a potent symbol of strength, freedom, and divine power. Its frequent use in metaphorical language underscores the awe-inspiring might of God and His ability to empower His people. The wild ox's untamable nature also serves as a reminder of the limitations of human strength and the supremacy of God's power. Through these vivid images, the Bible communicates themes of deliverance, protection, and the invincible nature of divine strength.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 24:8
God brought him forth out of Egypt; he has as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
Nave's Topical Index

Job 39:10,11
Can you bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after you?
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Library

The Creator's Joy in his Creation
... Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? Or will he harrow the valleys
after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the creators joy in.htm

The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... him forth out of Egypt; He hath as it were the strength of the wild-ox: He shall ...
now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... A wild ox feeding in the field I seized by the horns ... king of all the kings, a giant
in strength, twelve cubits high ... 100] of the two kings with a great host were ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. v. 22, "Whosoever Shall Say to ...
... can no man tame." [1953] Man tames the wild beast, yet ... But that the horse, and ox,
and camel, and elephant, and ... then hast thou been able to tame great beasts? ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon v on the words.htm

Thanksgiving to God for Deliverance from the Evils Expected Owing ...
... sheep and goats provide us clothing; and the ox and ass ... I possess an art by which
I overcome the wild animals." So also it happens in great houses; the sons ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xi thanksgiving to god.htm

The Testament of Naphtali Concerning Natural Goodness.
... And, lo, a bull upon the earth, having two great horns, and an eagle's ... maketh him
his own as his peculiar instrument, and every wild beast shall ... In the Ox. ms. ...
/.../viii the testament of naphtali concerning.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... birds are literally struck down by the strength of the poison, while the great mammals,
and ... European swallows, our quails, our geese and wild ducks, our ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The General Deliverance
... every beast of the field," and that even "the wild asses may ... "Thou shalt not muzzle
the ox that treadeth ... By this he eludes all their force, how great soever it ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 60 the general deliverance.htm

Matt. xii. 38, 39
... that He should die [1750] and "the ox that knoweth ... and material fire leaped like
a wild beast out ... in the scorching torment, [1760] and in so great anguish, as ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xliii matt xii 38.htm

Lessons from Nature
... have in the church of God persons of great reasoning powers ... The ox knoweth its owner,
and the ass its master's ... The stork knows its fir tree, the wild goat its ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/lessons from nature.htm