Wild Ox of the Judgments of God
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The wild ox, often referred to in biblical texts, is a symbol of strength, power, and untamed nature. In the context of the judgments of God, the wild ox serves as a metaphor for the formidable and unstoppable force of divine retribution. The imagery of the wild ox is used to convey the might and authority of God’s judgments upon the earth and its inhabitants.

Biblical References

The wild ox is mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament, where it is depicted as a creature of immense strength and untamable spirit. In the book of Job, the wild ox is used to illustrate the power and independence of God’s creation: "Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will it stay by your manger at night?" (Job 39:9). This rhetorical question highlights the futility of human attempts to control or domesticate the wild ox, paralleling the futility of resisting God’s will.

In the Psalms, the wild ox is associated with the strength and majesty of God’s works: "But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed" (Psalm 92:10). Here, the psalmist uses the imagery of the wild ox to express the empowerment and blessing received from God, suggesting that divine favor is as potent and unyielding as the strength of the wild ox.

Symbolism in Divine Judgment

The wild ox, as a symbol of divine judgment, represents the overwhelming and uncontainable nature of God’s wrath against sin and disobedience. In prophetic literature, the imagery of powerful and untamed animals often accompanies descriptions of God’s judgment. The wild ox, with its raw power and inability to be subdued, serves as a fitting representation of the unstoppable force of God’s decrees.

In the context of divine judgment, the wild ox can also symbolize the chaos and destruction that accompany God’s righteous anger. Just as a wild ox can trample and destroy everything in its path, so too can God’s judgments bring about devastation to those who oppose His will. This imagery serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and the inevitable consequences of turning away from God.

Theological Implications

The use of the wild ox in the context of God’s judgments underscores the themes of divine sovereignty and justice. It emphasizes that God’s power is beyond human comprehension and control, and His judgments are executed with absolute authority. The wild ox, as a creature that cannot be tamed or directed by human hands, reflects the reality that God’s purposes will be accomplished regardless of human resistance.

Furthermore, the wild ox as a symbol of judgment serves as a call to repentance and humility before God. Recognizing the might and inevitability of God’s judgments should lead individuals to seek His mercy and align themselves with His will. The imagery of the wild ox challenges believers to acknowledge God’s supremacy and to live in accordance with His righteous standards.

Conclusion

The wild ox, as depicted in the Bible, is a powerful symbol of God’s judgments. Its strength and untamable nature serve as a metaphor for the divine power and authority that accompany God’s decrees. Through the imagery of the wild ox, Scripture communicates the seriousness of sin, the inevitability of divine judgment, and the call to repentance and submission to God’s will.
Nave's Topical Index
Isaiah 34:7
And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Caput xv.
... holy Angels are the symbols of God's judgments to ourselves ... representations of the
Heavenly Minds through wild beasts [220 ... The Image of the Ox [223] denotes the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput xv.htm

The Last Farewell in the Presence of the one Hundred and Fifty ...
... lawless, by casting him off (such are the judgments of God ... I have taken no ox of
yours, [4375] says the great ... make way for us, as if we were wild beasts, and ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlii the last farewell.htm

The Testament of Gad Concerning Hatred.
... whenever the lion came, or wolf, or leopard, or bear, or any wild beast against ... Seek
out the judgments of the Lord, and so shall thy mind rest and ... 164] The Ox. ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/ix the testament of gad concerning.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... he that soweth beside the waters where the ox and the ... the wild beast," [2974] and
"Rebuke the wild beast of ... be in the words of scripture: "The judgments of God ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

1 Timothy v. 8
... to handle the plow, to yoke the ox, to wait ... such are their dreams, not full of wild
fancies and ... thanks unto Thee, because of Thy righteous judgments" (Psalm 119 ...
/.../homily xiv 1 timothy v.htm

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... but that the lion may learn docility from the ox. ... born of Christian parents, others
among wild beasts and ... have to bear them?" Now if God's judgments, they say ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... it is (...) therion), a wild, untamed beast. ... one Himself; especially one like unto
"an ox that eateth ... describing, from God's side, the judgments necessary to ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... [1643] "The ox knoweth his owner, and ... "Let the earth bring forth the living soul"
of domestic animals, of wild beasts, and of ... "The judgments of the Lord are ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... To anatomize this monster: 1st, They hold that God, Devils, Angels, Heaven ... And such
wild slanders were uttered occasionally against all dissenters, until a much ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

Psalm L.
... Israel saith, The beasts are God's, those wild beasts which I ... wholly in thy power,
or else thy ox, so long ... God, why dost thou tell out My judgments, and takest ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm l.htm

Resources
Apologetics and Unbelievers ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

What is the KJV Only movement? Is the King James Version the only Bible we should use? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Apologetics (All) | GotQuestions.org

Unicorn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Unicorn

Wild Ox of God As the Strength of Israel

Wild Ox of the Judgments of God

Wild Ox of the Wicked

Wild Ox of Vast Strength

Wild Ox: (Horns of) of the Strength of Powerful Enemies

Wild Ox: (Horns of) of the Strength of the Descendants of Joseph

Wild Ox: (The Position of Its Horns) the Exaltation of Saints

Wild Ox: Generally had a Single Horn

Wild Ox: Great Strength of

Wild Ox: Horned

Wild Ox: Intractable

Wild Ox: Intractable in Disposition

Wild Ox: Sometimes Found With Two Horns

Wild Ox: The Young of, Remarkable for Agility

Related Terms

Wild-ox (6 Occurrences)

Wild-cats (2 Occurrences)

Wild-oxen (2 Occurrences)

Wild-ass (1 Occurrence)

Wild-goat (1 Occurrence)

Wild-dogs (2 Occurrences)

Ox (197 Occurrences)

Statue (15 Occurrences)

Satyr

Beast (243 Occurrences)

Chamois (1 Occurrence)

Antelope (2 Occurrences)

Jackal (3 Occurrences)

Sheep (413 Occurrences)

Zoology

Deer (15 Occurrences)

Gourd (4 Occurrences)

Boar (1 Occurrence)

Inhabitants (254 Occurrences)

Swine (15 Occurrences)

Pigeon (3 Occurrences)

Cat

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)

Unicorn (6 Occurrences)

Olive-tree (17 Occurrences)

Olivetree

Honey (62 Occurrences)

Elamites (2 Occurrences)

Jackals (20 Occurrences)

Fallow-deer (2 Occurrences)

Frolic (3 Occurrences)

Cattle (277 Occurrences)

Elam (24 Occurrences)

Creatures (83 Occurrences)

Nettle (2 Occurrences)

Ostriches (8 Occurrences)

Owls (7 Occurrences)

Owed (10 Occurrences)

Gazelle (12 Occurrences)

Graft (1 Occurrence)

Wolves (10 Occurrences)

Fowler (3 Occurrences)

Thistle (3 Occurrences)

Reclaim (1 Occurrence)

Roe (21 Occurrences)

Rider (26 Occurrences)

Den (19 Occurrences)

Pygarg (1 Occurrence)

Aran (2 Occurrences)

Ishmael (44 Occurrences)

Islands (32 Occurrences)

Dominion (72 Occurrences)

Fowls (61 Occurrences)

Isles (32 Occurrences)

Olive (61 Occurrences)

Dogs (30 Occurrences)

Astray (116 Occurrences)

Dove (27 Occurrences)

Assyria (124 Occurrences)

Donkey (84 Occurrences)

Ass (95 Occurrences)

Donkeys (71 Occurrences)

Vine (76 Occurrences)

Goat (92 Occurrences)

Separate (115 Occurrences)

Zimri (16 Occurrences)

Zimran (2 Occurrences)

Kinds (110 Occurrences)

Nettles (5 Occurrences)

Nimrod (4 Occurrences)

Onager (1 Occurrence)

Oryx (2 Occurrences)

Leather (34 Occurrences)

Locusts (33 Occurrences)

Lofty (44 Occurrences)

Lair (8 Occurrences)

Loincloth (4 Occurrences)

Loins (72 Occurrences)

Leathern (2 Occurrences)

Wild Ox of God As the Strength of Israel
Top of Page
Top of Page