An ox-goad is a traditional farming implement used primarily in ancient agrarian societies to drive oxen during plowing or transportation. It is typically a long wooden stick, often tipped with a pointed metal end, designed to prod the oxen into movement or to guide them in the desired direction. The ox-goad is mentioned in the Bible, where it serves not only as a practical tool but also as a symbol of divine empowerment and deliverance.

Biblical References:

1. Judges 3:31 · The most notable mention of an ox-goad in the Bible is in the account of Shamgar, one of the judges of Israel. The verse states, "After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. He struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad, and he too saved Israel" . This passage highlights the ox-goad as an instrument of deliverance, used by Shamgar to achieve a significant victory against the Philistines. The use of such an ordinary tool underscores the theme of God using the humble and the unexpected to accomplish His purposes.

2. 1 Samuel 13:21 · This verse provides insight into the agricultural context of the ox-goad, noting the need for sharpening farming implements: "The charge was a pim for the plowshares and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the forks and axes and for repointing the oxgoads" . This reference indicates the commonality of the ox-goad in daily life and its essential role in the maintenance of agricultural productivity.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the biblical narrative, the ox-goad symbolizes the power of God working through ordinary means and individuals. Shamgar's victory with an ox-goad serves as a reminder that God can use the simplest of tools and the most unlikely of people to achieve His divine purposes. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, where God often chooses the weak and the humble to confound the mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27).

The ox-goad also represents the diligence and perseverance required in both physical and spiritual labor. Just as the farmer uses the ox-goad to guide and direct the oxen, believers are called to be diligent in their spiritual walk, guided by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the ox-goad was an essential tool for farmers, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of the time. Its presence in the biblical text provides a glimpse into the daily life and challenges faced by the Israelites. The use of the ox-goad in battle, as seen in the account of Shamgar, also illustrates the resourcefulness and adaptability required in times of conflict.

Overall, the ox-goad serves as a powerful symbol of God's provision and the unexpected ways in which He delivers His people. Through the account of Shamgar and the practical references in Scripture, the ox-goad remains a testament to the enduring themes of faith, obedience, and divine intervention.OX-GOAD

oks'-god.

See GOAD.

4451. malmad -- an oxgoad
... 4450, 4451. malmad. 4452 . an oxgoad. Transliteration: malmad Phonetic
Spelling: (mal-mawd') Short Definition: oxgoad. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4451.htm - 6k

Use what You Have
... There was the ox-goad, but what would that amount to against swords and spears?
It was all the weapon he had. ... He had only an ox-goad, but he used it manfully. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-eight use what you.htm

Use what You Have.
... results always come. The old Hebrew farmer Shamgar had only a long ox-goad
with which to prod his beasts in the field. The traditional ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/use what you have.htm

The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ...
... On a hill the herdsman's hidden ox-goad,"". alluding, as I believe, under the name
of the herdsman's ox-goad, to the reed wielded by bacchanals. ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ii the absurdity and impiety.htm

God's Use of Weak Things.
... man uses that peculiarity to get a great victory and eighteen years of freedom for
the nation.[24] A farmer with as homely a weapon as an ox-goad delivers his ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/gods use of weak things.htm

August 12 Evening
... which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered
Israel. The Lord looked upon [Gideon], and said, Go in this thy might: . ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/august 12 evening.htm

The Poets Also Bear Testimony to the Truth.
... The youthful Bacchus' nurses; they in fear,. Dropped each her thyrsus, scattered
by the hand. Of fierce Lycurgus, with an ox-goad armed." [927]. ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter vii the poets also bear.htm

Our Miseries, Messengers of Mercy
... of God's law fell upon their hearts it hardened them, when God smote, they were
like the bullock which kicks against the pricks of the ox-goad; they felt like ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/our miseries messengers of mercy.htm

The Lad's Loaves in the Lord's Hands
... as to his truth but what suddenly one came forward, a David with a sling and a stone,
or a Samson with a jawbone, or a Shamgar with an ox-goad, who put to rout ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the lads loaves in the.htm

The Judges.
... (2) The enemy each judge had to combat. (3) What each judge accomplished
against the enemy and what weapon he used-an oxgoad or what? ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
... I do my mind express, May I by them bring some good thing to pass, As Samson, with
the jawbone of an ass; Or as brave Shamgar, with his ox's goad (Both being ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a book for boys and.htm

Oxgoad (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) A goad for driving oxen. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OX-GOAD.
oks'-god. See GOAD. Multi-Version Concordance Oxgoad (1 Occurrence). ...
/o/oxgoad.htm - 6k

Ox-goad (2 Occurrences)
Ox-goad. Oxgoad, Ox-goad. Ox-stick . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia OX-GOAD.
oks'-god. ... (See JPS ASV WBS YLT). Oxgoad, Ox-goad. Ox-stick . Reference Bible
/o/ox-goad.htm - 7k

Shamgar (2 Occurrences)
... He repelled the invasion, slaying 600 men with an "oxgoad" (qv). ... Shamgar's improvised
weapon with which he helped to "save Israel" is spoken of as an oxgoad. ...
/s/shamgar.htm - 9k

Goad (2 Occurrences)
... Shamgar slew six hundred Philistines with an ox-goad. ... him was Shamgar the son of
Anath, who struck of the Philistines six hundred men with an oxgoad: and he ...
/g/goad.htm - 9k

Ox-stick (1 Occurrence)
Ox-stick. Ox-goad, Ox-stick. Ozem . Multi-Version Concordance Ox-stick (1
Occurrence). ... (BBE). Ox-goad, Ox-stick. Ozem . Reference Bible.
/o/ox-stick.htm - 6k

Ox (197 Occurrences)
... 15; 14:5). Oxgoad. Mentioned only in Judges 3:31, the weapon with which
Shamgar (qv) slew six hundred Philistines. "The ploughman ...
/o/ox.htm - 43k

Painful (18 Occurrences)
... Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? You are finding it painful to kick
against the ox-goad.' (WEY). 2 Corinthians 2:1 But, so ...
/p/painful.htm - 11k

Anath (4 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:31 After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck of the Philistines
six hundred men with an oxgoad: and he also saved Israel. ...
/a/anath.htm - 8k

Stiffnecked (9 Occurrences)
... As the plowman required but one hand to guide the plow, he carried in the other
an "ox-goad." This was a light pole, shod with an iron spike. ...
/s/stiffnecked.htm - 11k

Saveth (36 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:31 And after him hath been Shamgar son of Anath, and he smiteth the
Philistines -- six hundred men -- with an ox-goad, and he saveth -- he also ...
/s/saveth.htm - 16k

What is an ox goad / oxgoad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to kick against the pricks? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about being stiff-necked? | GotQuestions.org

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