Topical Bible: The Ox: Laws Respecting: To Rest on the Sabbath

◄ The Ox: Laws Respecting: To Rest on the Sabbath ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the ox is a significant animal, often associated with agricultural labor and strength. Within the Mosaic Law, specific regulations were established concerning the treatment of oxen, particularly regarding their rest on the Sabbath. These laws reflect the broader principles of compassion and justice that permeate the Scriptures.

Sabbath Rest for Oxen

The commandment to observe the Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments, underscoring its importance in the life of the Israelites. The Sabbath was instituted as a day of rest, not only for humans but also for animals, including the ox. In Exodus 20:8-10 , the commandment is articulated: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates."

This passage explicitly includes livestock, such as oxen, in the mandate for rest. The inclusion of animals in the Sabbath rest highlights the ethical treatment of all creatures under God's law. It acknowledges the ox's role in labor and ensures that it, too, benefits from the restorative nature of the Sabbath.

Deuteronomy's Reinforcement

The book of Deuteronomy reiterates the Sabbath commandment with an emphasis on remembering the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. Deuteronomy 5:14 states: "But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do."

Here, the ox is again mentioned specifically, reinforcing the principle that the Sabbath is a universal day of rest. The inclusion of the ox and other animals in this commandment serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all creation and the responsibility of humans to care for the creatures that serve them.

Theological Implications

The laws concerning the Sabbath rest for oxen reflect a broader theological understanding of God's care for all creation. The Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between God and His people, and by extending rest to animals, the Israelites were participating in God's compassionate order. This practice underscores the value of mercy and justice, principles that are central to the biblical narrative.

In summary, the laws respecting the rest of oxen on the Sabbath are a testament to the holistic nature of God's commandments, which encompass not only human relationships but also the treatment of animals. These laws serve as a reminder of the divine order and the call to stewardship over creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 23:12
Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest: that your ox and your ass may rest, and the son of your handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 5:14
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, nor your ass, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates; that your manservant and your maidservant may rest as well as you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Thanksgiving to God for the Pardon Granted to the Offenders ...
... the ungrateful Jews, thus speaks; "The ox knoweth his ... 1520] when He afterwards gave
laws, and said ... When, for instance, He gave commandment respecting the Sabbath ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xii thanksgiving to god.htm

The Commandments
... and the latter state is signified by the rest on the ... and that those who live according
to the laws may have ... for they hold the Divine law respecting theft in ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part secondthe commandments.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... find some such rule as this enjoined respecting the divine ... not muzzle the mouth of
the ox that treadeth ... the legislation of Moses, many of the laws manifest the ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... Why house, wife, man-servant, maid-servant, ox, and ass ... and commandedst them precepts,
statutes, and laws, by the ... in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... departments of life."[3] To avoid misunderstanding respecting the extent ... may be noted
that three fourths of the laws in the ... Ham.249, "If a man hire an ox and a ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... countless individuals who have abandoned the laws of their ... as the following laid
down, respecting the consideration of ... muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

Mosaic Cosmogony.
... During this era the ox, horse, and deer, and ... be recollected that the question is
not respecting the correctness of ... to describe the process or the laws by which ...
/.../temple/essays and reviews the education of the world/mosaic cosmogony.htm

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... himself impelled to these or like conclusions respecting it, the ... and himself to a
lamb or an ox, brought the ... Those who imagine that the laws of criticism are ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/bunsens biblical researches.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... and lightsome, and said, with a merry heart, "He hath given me rest by His ... with another;
save that these two men told Christian, that as to laws and ordinances ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... writes that at Athens out of all the laws of [4776 ... a golden calf, and preferred an
Egyptian ox to the ... of sinners, I am to infer His wishes respecting ourselves. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm