The ox is a significant animal in biblical literature, symbolizing strength, service, and sacrifice. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the ox was a vital part of agrarian life, used for plowing fields, threshing grain, and as a beast of burden. Its strength and endurance made it an indispensable asset to farmers and herders.

Symbol of Strength and Labor

The ox is often associated with strength in the Bible. In Proverbs 14:4 , it is written, "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox." This verse highlights the ox's role in agricultural productivity, emphasizing that its strength is essential for a fruitful harvest. The presence of oxen signifies prosperity and the ability to work the land effectively.

Sacrificial Role

In the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, the ox was one of the animals prescribed for offerings. Leviticus 1:3 states, "If one's offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer an unblemished male; he must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted by the LORD." The ox, as a large and valuable animal, represented a significant sacrifice, symbolizing the offerer's devotion and submission to God.

Symbol of Service

The ox is also a symbol of service and submission. In Deuteronomy 25:4 , the law commands, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." This command underscores the principle of fair treatment and reward for labor, recognizing the ox's service in food production. The Apostle Paul later references this verse in 1 Corinthians 9:9 and 1 Timothy 5:18 to illustrate the principle that workers deserve their wages, drawing a parallel between the labor of the ox and the work of those who serve in ministry.

Prophetic Imagery

In prophetic literature, the ox is used symbolically to convey messages of judgment and restoration. Isaiah 1:3 states, "The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand." Here, the ox is depicted as having an innate understanding of its relationship with its master, contrasting with Israel's lack of recognition of God. This imagery serves as a call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness.

Eschatological Vision

In the eschatological vision of peace and restoration, the ox is mentioned in Isaiah 11:7 : "The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox." This vision portrays a future where natural enmities are reconciled, and harmony is restored to creation. The ox, as a peaceful herbivore, symbolizes the ideal of a restored and harmonious world under God's reign.

Throughout the Bible, the ox is a multifaceted symbol representing strength, service, sacrifice, and the hope of restoration. Its presence in biblical narratives and laws underscores its importance in the cultural and religious life of ancient Israel.Psalm 144:14
That our oxen may be strong to labor; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 14:4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1016. bous -- an ox, a cow
... ox. see GREEK bosko. (boas) -- 2 Occurrences. (boun) -- 3 Occurrences. (bous) --
1 Occurrence. (boon) -- 2 Occurrences. 1015, 1016. bous. 1017 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1016.htm - 6k

5022. tauros -- a bull
... bullock -- bull, ox. see HEBREW towr. (tauroi) -- 1 Occurrence. (taurous) -- 1
Occurrence. (tauron) -- 2 Occurrences. 5021, 5022. tauros. 5023 . Strong's
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5022.htm - 6k

5382. philoxenos -- loving strangers
... loving strangers. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: philoxenos Phonetic
Spelling: (fil-ox'-en-os) Short Definition: hospitable ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5382.htm - 6k

3947. paroxuno -- to sharpen, fig. to stimulate, to provoke
... to stimulate, to provoke. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: paroxuno Phonetic
Spelling: (par-ox-oo'-no) Short Definition: I provoke ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3947.htm - 7k

3948. paroxusmos -- stimulation, provocation
... stimulation, provocation. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: paroxusmos
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ox-oos-mos') Short Definition ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3948.htm - 7k

2755. kenodoxos -- vainglorious
... vainglorious. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: kenodoxos Phonetic Spelling:
(ken-od'-ox-os) Short Definition: vainglorious Definition ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2755.htm - 7k

3861. paradoxos -- contrary to opinion or expectation
... contrary to opinion or expectation. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration:
paradoxos Phonetic Spelling: (par-ad'-ox-os) Short Definition ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3861.htm - 6k

2754. kenodoxia -- vainglory
... vainglory. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kenodoxia Phonetic Spelling:
(ken-od-ox-ee'-ah) Short Definition: vainglory, empty ... Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2754.htm - 6k

2700. katatoxeuo -- to strike down with an arrow.
... to strike down with an arrow. Transliteration: katatoxeuo Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-at-ox-yoo'-o) Short Definition: thrust. ... katatoxeuo. 2701 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2700.htm - 6k

7794. shor -- a head of cattle (bullock, ox, etc.)
... a bullock (as a traveller) -- bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for shuwr).
see HEBREW shuwr. see HEBREW shuwr. 7793, 7794. shor. 7795 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/7794.htm - 6k

1241. baqar -- cattle, herd, an ox
... a herd -- beeve, bull (+ -ock), + calf, + cow, great (cattle), + heifer, herd, kine,
ox. see HEBREW baqar. 1240, 1241. baqar. 1242 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1241.htm - 6k

7214. reem -- a wild ox
... Word Origin from raam Definition a wild ox NASB Word Usage wild ox (7), wild oxen
(2). unicorn. ... reem or reem or rem or rem. 7215 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7214.htm - 6k

6499. par -- young bull, steer
... forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof) -- (+ young) bull(-ock),
calf, ox. see HEBREW parar. 6498, 6499. par. 6500 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6499.htm - 6k

8377. teo -- antelope
... from ta'ah; a species of antelope (probably from the white stripe on the cheek) --
wild bull (ox). see HEBREW ta'ah. 8376, 8377. teo. 8378 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/8377.htm - 6k

441. alluwph -- tame
... a chieftain (as notable, like neat cattle) -- captain, duke, (chief) friend, governor,
guide, ox. see HEBREW 'alph. 440, 441. alluwph. 441a . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/441.htm - 5k

505. eleph -- a thousand
... Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet,
and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand ... Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/505.htm - 8k

504. eleph -- cattle
... From 'alph; a family; also (from the sense of yoking or taming) an ox or cow --
family, kine, oxen. see HEBREW 'alph. 503, 504. eleph. 505 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/504.htm - 6k

8450. tor -- a bullock
... turtle dove. (Aramaic) corresponding (by permutation) to showr; a bull -- bullock,
ox. see HEBREW showr. 8449, 8450. tor. 8451 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8450.htm - 6k

930. Behemoth -- a kind of animal
... a singular of Egyptian derivation; a water-ox, ie The hippopotamus or Nile- horse --
Behemoth. see HEBREW bhemah. 929, 930. Behemoth. 931 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/930.htm - 6k

Epistle xxx. To Eulogius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... we see fulfilled in you what is written, Where there is much increase, there the
strength of the oxen is manifest (Proverbs 14:4). For, if a strong ox had not ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxx to eulogius bishop.htm

Use what You Have.
... Shamgar sets his jaws together hard, gets a fresh grip on his ox-goad, digs his ... So
many strong wills are strong enough to be stubborn, but not strong enough to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/use what you have.htm

Caput xv.
... The Image of the Ox [223] denotes the strong and the mature, turning up the
intellectual furrows for the reception of the heavenly and productive showers; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput xv.htm

The Fainting Soul Revived
... and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me; the ox knoweth its ... he
follows his own vain imaginations, and, with head-strong rebellion, opposes ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the fainting soul revived.htm

Samuel the Boy Prophet
... No, my lord, I am an unhappy woman; I have not drunk wine nor any strong drink,
but ... Then she took him with her, and a three-year-old ox, a bushel of flour, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/samuel the boy prophet.htm

The Gospel Day Seen in Prophecy.
... of life"to be sealed with seven seals, and he saw a strong angel proclaiming ... young
ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /the gospel day seen in.htm

Drill and Enthusiasm
... the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.' If the ... must be
cultivation, and one must accept the consequences of having a strong team to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/drill and enthusiasm.htm

A Dark Picture and a Bright Hope
... objects without regard to any consequences beyond their own gratification; but,
strong as they ... by carrying a calf on his shoulders, got to carry an ox by and by ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/a dark picture and a.htm

The Creator's Joy in his Creation
... Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? ... She dwelleth on the rock,
and hath her lodging there, Upon the crag of the rock and the strong hold. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the creators joy in.htm

1 Timothy v. 15-Nov
... Unless he is as the ox treading out the corn, and bearing the yoke, in spite ... the
offenses be notorious, and yet there are no witnesses, only a strong suspicion ...
/.../homily xv 1 timothy v.htm

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