Topical Bible: The Goat: Most Profitable to the Owner

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In biblical times, the goat held significant economic and cultural value, often considered one of the most profitable animals for its owner. The goat's versatility and utility are evident throughout the Scriptures, where it is frequently mentioned in various contexts, from sacrificial offerings to symbols of wealth and prosperity.

Biblical References and Symbolism

Goats are mentioned numerous times in the Bible, often in the context of pastoral life and sacrificial systems. In Genesis 27:9, Rebekah instructs Jacob to fetch two young goats so she can prepare a meal for Isaac, highlighting the goat's role in daily sustenance. The goat's milk, meat, and hide were essential resources for ancient communities, providing nourishment and materials for clothing and trade.

In Leviticus, goats are integral to the sacrificial system. Leviticus 16:7-10 describes the Day of Atonement, where two goats are chosen: one for the Lord as a sin offering and the other as the scapegoat, symbolically carrying the sins of the people into the wilderness. This ritual underscores the goat's spiritual significance and its role in the atonement process.

Economic Value

The economic value of goats in biblical times cannot be overstated. They were a source of milk, which was a staple in the diet of ancient Israelites. Proverbs 27:27 states, "You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you, your household, and to nourish your maidservants." This verse highlights the goat's role in providing sustenance and supporting the household economy.

Goats were also a measure of wealth and prosperity. In Genesis 30:32-43, Jacob's agreement with Laban to keep the speckled and spotted goats led to his substantial increase in wealth. This narrative illustrates how goats were not only a source of immediate resources but also a means of accumulating wealth over time.

Cultural and Religious Practices

In addition to their economic importance, goats played a role in cultural and religious practices. The Passover lamb, while primarily a sheep, could also be a goat, as noted in Exodus 12:5: "Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats." This flexibility underscores the goat's integral role in religious observances.

Furthermore, goats were often used in vows and offerings. Numbers 15:27-29 outlines the use of a female goat as a sin offering for unintentional sins, demonstrating the goat's role in maintaining spiritual purity and community harmony.

Moral and Ethical Lessons

The Bible also uses goats in moral and ethical teachings. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus uses the imagery of sheep and goats to illustrate the final judgment, where the sheep represent the righteous and the goats the unrighteous. This parable serves as a moral lesson on the importance of compassion and service to others, using the familiar imagery of goats to convey deeper spiritual truths.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, the goat emerges as a multifaceted symbol of economic prosperity, spiritual significance, and moral teaching. Its presence in sacrificial rituals, dietary provisions, and wealth accumulation underscores its vital role in the lives of the ancient Israelites. The goat's enduring legacy in biblical narratives reflects its status as one of the most profitable and valuable animals to its owner.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 27:26
The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Cocal
... was not an owl, but a large goat-sucker, a ... success to an industry which would be
most profitable, both to ... the power of transmuting it into most delicate and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xiii the cocal.htm

Sin Laid on Jesus
... but it is the most charming and the most full of ... shalt conclude with serious and
I hope profitable contemplation ... priest of old laid upon the scape-goat all the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/sin laid on jesus.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... The Egyptians claim to Be the most ancient of peoples: traditions concerning the
creation of man and of animals"The Heliopolitan Enneads the framework of the ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... answered and said, That dog has another owner, he also ... 8). Straws, and sticks, and
dust, with most, are the ... and see if they could find anything profitable there ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm