Ox, the.

From: The New Topical Textbook By: Reuben Archer Torrey

• 3 min. read • grade level: 10

Often found wild. Deut. 14:5⁵The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois. (Deuteronomy 14:5).

INCLUDES THE

Bull. Gen. 32:15¹⁵Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals. (Genesis 32:15). Job 21:10¹⁰Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. (Job 21:10).

Bullock. Psa. 50:9⁹I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. (Psalm 50:9). Jer. 46:21²¹Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation. (Jeremiah 46:21).

Cow. Num. 18:17¹⁷But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savor unto the Lord. (Numbers 18:17). Job 21:10¹⁰Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. (Job 21:10).

Heifer. Gen. 15:9⁹And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. (Genesis 15:9). Num. 19:2²This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke: (Numbers 19:2).

Was clean and fit for food. Deut. 14:4⁴These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, (Deuteronomy 14:4).

DESCRIBED AS

Strong. Psa. 144:14¹⁴That our oxen may be strong to labor; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. (Psalm 144:14). Prov. 14:4⁴Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. (Proverbs 14:4).

Beautiful. Jer. 46:20²⁰Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north. (Jeremiah 46:20). Hos. 10:11¹¹And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. (Hosea 10:11).

Not without sagacity. Isa. 1:3³The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. (Isaiah 1:3).

Horns and hoofs of, alluded to. Psa. 69:31³¹This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. (Psalm 69:31).

Lowing of, alluded to. 1 Sam. 15:14¹⁴And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? (1 Samuel 15:14). Job 6:5⁵Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder? (Job 6:5).

WAS FED

With grass. Job 40:15¹⁵Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. (Job 40:15). Psa. 106:20²⁰Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. (Psalm 106:20). Dan. 4:25²⁵That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. (Daniel 4:25).

With corn. Isa. 30:24²⁴The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. (Isaiah 30:24).

With straw. Isa. 11:7⁷And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. (Isaiah 11:7).

On the hills. Isa. 7:25²⁵And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle. (Isaiah 7:25).

In the valleys. 1 Chron. 27:29²⁹And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai: (1 Chronicles 27:29). Isa. 65:10¹⁰And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me. (Isaiah 65:10).

In stalls. Hab. 3:17¹⁷Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: (Habakkuk 3:17).

Rapid manner of collecting its food alluded to. Num. 22:4⁴And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. (Numbers 22:4).

Formed a part of the patriarchal wealth. Gen. 13:2, 5²And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. (Genesis 13:2)
⁵And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. (Genesis 13:5). Gen. 26:14¹⁴For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. (Genesis 26:14). Job 1:3³His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. (Job 1:3).

Formed a part of the wealth of Israel in Egypt. Gen. 50:8⁸And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen. (Genesis 50:8). Exo. 10:9⁹And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the Lord. (Exodus 10:9). Ex. 12:32³²Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. (Exodus 12:32).

Formed a part of the wealth of the Jews. Num. 32:4⁴Even the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: (Numbers 32:4). Psa. 144:14¹⁴That our oxen may be strong to labor; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. (Psalm 144:14).

Required great care and attention. Prov. 27:23²³Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. (Proverbs 27:23).

Herdmen appointed over. Gen. 13:7⁷And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. (Genesis 13:7). 1 Sam. 21:7⁷Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul. (1 Samuel 21:7).

Urged on by the goad. Judg. 3:31³¹And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel. (Judges 3:31).

USED FOR

Drawing wagons, &c. Num. 7:3³And they brought their offering before the Lord, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle. (Numbers 7:3). 1 Sam. 6:7⁷Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them: (1 Samuel 6:7).

Carrying burdens. 1 Chron. 12:40⁴⁰Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel. (1 Chronicles 12:40).

Plowing. 1 Kin. 19:19. Job 1:14¹⁴And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: (Job 1:14). Amos 6:12¹²Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock: (Amos 6:12).

Earing the ground. Isa. 30:24²⁴The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. (Isaiah 30:24). Isa. 32:20²⁰Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass. (Isaiah 32:20).

Treading out the corn. Hos. 10:11¹¹And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. (Hosea 10:11).

Sacrifice. Ex. 20:24²⁴An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. (Exodus 20:24). 2 Sam. 24:22²²And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. (2 Samuel 24:22).

Food. 1 Kin. 1:9. 1 Kin. 19:21. 2 Chr. 18:2²And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead. (2 Chronicles 18:2).

Often stall-fed for slaughter. Prov. 15:17¹⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. (Proverbs 15:17).

Goes to the slaughter unconscious. Prov. 7:22²²He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; (Proverbs 7:22).

Young of, considered a great delicacy. Gen. 18:7⁷And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. (Genesis 18:7). Amos 6:4⁴That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; (Amos 6:4).

Male firstlings of, belonged to God. Ex. 34:19¹⁹All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male. (Exodus 34:19).

Tithe of, given to the priests. 2 Chr. 31:6⁶And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps. (2 Chronicles 31:6).

LAWS RESPECTING;

To rest on the Sabbath. Ex. 23:12¹²Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. (Exodus 23:12). Deut. 5:14¹⁴But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. (Deuteronomy 5:14).

Not to be yoked with an ass in the same plow. Deut. 22:10¹⁰Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. (Deuteronomy 22:10).

Not to be muzzled when treading out the corn. Deut. 25:4⁴Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. (Deuteronomy 25:4). 1 Cor. 9:9⁹For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? (1 Corinthians 9:9).

If stolen to be restored double. Ex. 22:4⁴If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. (Exodus 22:4).

Of others not to be coveted. Exo. 20:17¹⁷Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's. (Exodus 20:17). Deut. 5:21²¹Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor's. (Deuteronomy 5:21).

Of others if lost or hurt through neglect, to be made good. Exo. 22:9-13⁹For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbor. ¹⁰If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it: ¹¹Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good. ¹²And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof. ¹³If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn. (Exodus 22:9‑13).

Killing a man, to be stoned. Exo. 21:28-32²⁸If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. ²⁹But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death. ³⁰If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him. ³¹Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him. ³²If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. (Exodus 21:28‑32).

Mode of reparation for one, killing another. Ex. 21:35, 36³⁵And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide. ³⁶Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own. (Exodus 21:35‑36).

Straying to be brought back to its owner. Ex. 23:4⁴If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. (Exodus 23:4). Deut. 22:1, 2¹Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. ²And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. (Deuteronomy 22:1‑2).

Fallen under its burden to be raised up again. Deut. 22:4⁴Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again. (Deuteronomy 22:4).

Fat of, not to be eaten. Lev. 7:23²³Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat. (Leviticus 7:23).

Increase of, promised. Deu. 7:13. Deu. 28:4.

Publicly sold. 2 Sam. 24:24²⁴And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. (2 Samuel 24:24) Luke 14:19¹⁹And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. (Luke 14:19).

Often given as a present. Gen. 12:16¹⁶And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. (Genesis 12:16). Gen. 20:14¹⁴And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. (Genesis 20:14).

The wicked often took, in Pledge from the poor. Job 24:3³They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge. (Job 24:3).

Custom of sending the pieces or h, collect the people to war. 1 Sam. 11:7⁷And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. (1 Samuel 11:7).

Sea of brass rested on figures of. 1 Kin. 7:25.

ILLUSTRATIVE

(Engaged in husbandry,) of ministers. Isa. 30:24²⁴The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. (Isaiah 30:24). Isa. 32:20²⁰Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass. (Isaiah 32:20).

(Not muzzled in treading corn,) of Minister's right to support. 1 Cor. 9:9, 10⁹For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? ¹⁰Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:9‑10).

(Prepared for a feast,) of the provision of the gospel. Pro. 9:1¹Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: (Proverbs 9:1) Matt. 22:4⁴Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. (Matthew 22:4).

(Led to slaughter,) of a rash youth. Prov. 7:22²²He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; (Proverbs 7:22).

(Led to slaughter,) of saints under persecution. Jer. 11:19¹⁹But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered. (Jeremiah 11:19).

(Stall fed,) of sumptuous living. Prov. 15:17¹⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. (Proverbs 15:17).

BULL OR BULLOCK ILLUSTRATIVE

Of fierce enemies. Psa. 22:12¹²Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. (Psalm 22:12). Psa. 68:30³⁰Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war. (Psalm 68:30).

(Firstling of,) of the glory of Joseph. Deut. 33:17¹⁷His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh. (Deuteronomy 33:17).

(In a net,) of the impatient under judgment. Isa. 51:20²⁰Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God. (Isaiah 51:20).

(Fatted,) of greedy mercenaries. Jer. 46:21²¹Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation. (Jeremiah 46:21).

(Unaccustomed to the yoke,) of intractable sinners. Jer. 31:18¹⁸I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. (Jeremiah 31:18).

KINE ILLUSTRATIVE

Of proud and wealthy rulers. Amos 4:1¹Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink. (Amos 4:1).

(well favored,) of years of plenty. Gen. 41:2, 26, 29²And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favored kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. (Genesis 41:2)
²⁶The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. (Genesis 41:26)
²⁹Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: (Genesis 41:29).

(Lean,) of years of scarcity. Gen. 41:3, 27, 30³And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favored and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. (Genesis 41:3)
²⁷And the seven thin and ill favored kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. (Genesis 41:27)
³⁰And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; (Genesis 41:30).

HEIFER ILLUSTRATIVE

Of a beloved wife. Judg. 14:18¹⁸And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle. (Judges 14:18).

(Sliding back,) of backsliding Israel. Hos. 4:16¹⁶For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place. (Hosea 4:16).

(Taught, &c.) of Israel's fondness for ease in preference to obedience. Hos. 10:11¹¹And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. (Hosea 10:11).

(Of three years old,) of Moab in affliction. Isa. 15:5⁵My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction. (Isaiah 15:5). Jer. 48:34³⁴From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate. (Jeremiah 48:34).

(Fair,) of the beauty and wealth of Egypt. Jer. 46:20²⁰Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north. (Jeremiah 46:20).

(At grass,) of the luxurious Chaldees. Jer. 50:11¹¹Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls; (Jeremiah 50:11).

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The New Topical Textbook

• Murder.

• Murmuring.

• Music.

• Naphtali, the Tribe of.

• Offenses Against the Holy Ghost.

• Ox, the.

• Part I — Concerning God

• PART II — Man Was Created.

• Part III — Concerning Man.

• Part IV — Concerning Redemption