In the context of the Bible, the term "bellow" is often associated with the loud, deep, and resonant sound made by animals, particularly cattle or oxen. This sound is used metaphorically in Scripture to convey various themes, including distress, power, and the overwhelming nature of certain experiences.

Biblical References:

1. Job 6:5 : "Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?" In this verse, the bellowing of an ox is used to illustrate a point about contentment and the natural response to satisfaction. The rhetorical question implies that just as animals do not bellow when they have what they need, so too should humans find contentment in God's provision.

2. Jeremiah 50:11 : "Because you rejoice, because you sing in triumph—you who plunder My inheritance—because you frolic like a heifer treading grain and neigh like stallions." Here, the imagery of animals, including the bellowing of cattle, is used to describe the arrogance and misplaced joy of those who have plundered God's people. The bellowing serves as a metaphor for their loud and boastful behavior.

3. Ezekiel 24:21 : "Say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to desecrate My sanctuary—the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the desire of your soul. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.’" While the term "bellow" is not directly used in this passage, the context of lamentation and distress can be associated with the bellowing of animals, symbolizing the deep sorrow and loss that will be experienced by the people of Israel.

Theological Implications:

The use of "bellow" in the Bible often serves to highlight the intensity of emotion or the magnitude of a situation. In a conservative Christian interpretation, these instances underscore the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and the natural order He has established. The bellowing of animals can remind believers of the need for humility and the dangers of pride and self-reliance.

Furthermore, the metaphorical use of animal sounds in Scripture can serve as a call to repentance and a return to reliance on God. Just as animals bellow in response to their circumstances, humans are encouraged to cry out to God in times of need, trusting in His provision and guidance.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the bellowing of cattle and other livestock was a familiar sound, integral to agrarian life. The biblical authors often drew upon these common experiences to communicate spiritual truths in a relatable manner. The imagery of bellowing would have resonated with the original audience, providing a vivid picture of the messages being conveyed.

Overall, the concept of "bellow" in the Bible serves as a powerful tool for illustrating themes of contentment, pride, distress, and the human condition in relation to God's divine plan.1. (v.) To make a hollow, loud noise, as an enraged bull.

2. (v.) To bowl; to vociferate; to clamor.

3. (v.) To roar; as the sea in a tempest, or as the wind when violent; to make a loud, hollow, continued sound.

4. (v. t.) To emit with a loud voice; to shout; -- used with out.

5. (n.) A loud resounding outcry or noise, as of an enraged bull; a roar.

3455. mukaomai -- to roar
... to roar. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mukaomai Phonetic Spelling:
(moo-kah'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I bellow, roar Definition: I bellow, roar. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3455.htm - 6k

5450. phusiosis -- a puffing up
... Cognate: 5450 (from 5448 , "inflated, like an air-bellow") -- arrogance (negative
pride), fostering an ("a sense of ") and only used in 2 Cor 12:20. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5450.htm - 6k

6670. tsahal -- to neigh, cry shrilly
... 6669, 6670. tsahal. 6670a . to neigh, cry shrilly. Transliteration: tsahal
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-hal') Short Definition: bellow. ...
/hebrew/6670.htm - 5k

1600. gaah -- to low
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to low NASB Word Usage low (1), lowing (1).
low. A primitive root; to bellow (as cattle) -- low. 1599, 1600. gaah. 1601 > ...
/hebrew/1600.htm - 5k

Plato's Knowledge of the Judgment.
... Hence, he said, that amidst all their various fears, this one was the greatest,
lest the mouth should bellow when they ascended, since if it were silent each ...
/.../chapter xxvii platos knowledge of the.htm

Argument: C??cilius Begins his Argument First of all by Reminding ...
... fall, cause the rains to flow, the winds to blow, the hail to rattle down; or when
the clouds clash together, they cause the thunder to bellow, the lightnings ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter v argument caecilius begins his.htm

That all Marvels are not of Nature's Production, but that Some are ...
... And make the stars forget their course,. And call up ghosts from night: The ground
shall bellow 'neath your feet: The mountain-ash shall quit its seat,. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 6 that all marvels are.htm

On the Creation of the World
... From this, therefore, the thunders bellow, the lightnings are kindled, [2214] the
fires are heaped together; fiery darts [2215] appear, stars gleam, the ...
/.../victorinus/on the creation of the world/on the creation of the.htm

Paul in the Temple
... Clearly the bulk of them could not answer either of Lysias' questions, though they
could all bellow 'Away with him!' till their throats were sore. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul in the temple.htm

Wagner -- I am a Voice
... Then it is resistance, riot, that rumbles. It is the passions and the scourged vices
that twist and bellow like deer under the lash of the trainer. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/wagner i am a.htm

Book ii Then for a While She Held Her Peace. ...
... Then let the wind bellow, confounding wreckage in the sea, and thou wilt still be
founded upon unmoving peace, wilt be blessed in the strength of thy defence ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book ii then for a.htm

God in the Covenant
... him a little and applies the club of the law, drags him to Sinai, where the mountain
totters over his head, the lightnings flash, and thunders bellow, and then ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god in the covenant.htm

Life of Bunyan
... with it, and commanded a silence in my heart of all those tumultuous thoughts that
before did rise, like masterless hell-hounds, to roar and bellow, and make a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hamilton/life of bunyan/life of bunyan.htm

The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts.
... O'erwhelming turrets threaten ere they fall; 219. Volcanos bellow ere they
disembogue; Earth trembles ere her yawning jaws devour; ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/the complaint or night thoughts.htm

Bellow (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bellow (2 Occurrences). Job 6:5 Does the wild donkey bray
when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder? (See NIV). ...
/b/bellow.htm - 7k

Roar (53 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To cry with a full, loud, continued sound. 2.
(vi) To bellow, or utter a deep, loud cry, as a lion or other beast. ...
/r/roar.htm - 23k

Rout (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To roar; to bellow; to snort; to snore loudly.
2. (n.) A bellowing; a shouting; noise; clamor; uproar; disturbance; tumult. ...
/r/rout.htm - 9k

Destroyers (17 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:11 Because 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 ...
/d/destroyers.htm - 11k

Bellies (2 Occurrences)

/b/bellies.htm - 7k

Bellowing (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bellow. Multi-Version
Concordance Bellowing (1 Occurrence). Psalms 59:7 Behold, they ...
/b/bellowing.htm - 6k

Bell (3 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To utter by bellowing. 10. (vi) To call or bellow, as the deer in rutting
time; to make a bellowing sound; to roar. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/b/bell.htm - 10k

Bulls (68 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:11 Because 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 ...
/b/bulls.htm - 27k

Grown (77 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:11 Because 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 ...
/g/grown.htm - 30k

Rejoiced (83 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:11 Because 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 ...
/r/rejoiced.htm - 33k

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