Buffalo
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Topical Encyclopedia
The term "buffalo" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the creature often associated with the buffalo in biblical texts is the "wild ox" or "aurochs." These animals are mentioned in various passages and are considered symbols of strength and power. The Hebrew word often translated as "wild ox" is "re'em," which some scholars believe may refer to a now-extinct species of large wild cattle.

Biblical References:

1. Numbers 23:22 : "God brought them out of Egypt; He is for them like the horns of the wild ox." This verse highlights the strength and power of God, likening His might to the formidable horns of the wild ox. The imagery suggests a creature of great strength, possibly akin to the buffalo or aurochs, known for their impressive horns and robust nature.

2. Deuteronomy 33:17 : "His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth." Here, the wild ox is used metaphorically to describe the power and majesty of Joseph's descendants. The comparison to a firstborn bull and the wild ox underscores the might and authority bestowed upon them.

3. Job 39:9-12 : "Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will it stay by your manger at night? Can you hold it to the furrow with a harness? Will it plow the valleys behind you? Can you rely on its great strength? Will you leave your heavy work to it? Can you trust it to bring in your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?" In this passage, God challenges Job by pointing out the untamable nature of the wild ox, emphasizing its strength and independence. The rhetorical questions highlight the creature's power and the futility of human attempts to domesticate it.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, the wild ox symbolizes untamed strength and divine power. Its frequent association with horns, a common biblical symbol of power and authority, reinforces this interpretation. The wild ox's depiction as a creature that cannot be easily controlled or domesticated serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the limits of human power.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The wild ox, or aurochs, was a large and powerful animal that roamed the ancient Near East. It was known for its impressive size and strength, making it a fitting symbol for divine power in biblical texts. While the exact species referred to as "re'em" is debated, the imagery remains consistent with the characteristics of large, horned cattle, such as the buffalo or aurochs.

In summary, while the term "buffalo" is not directly mentioned in the Bible, the concept of a powerful, horned beast is present through the depiction of the wild ox. This creature serves as a potent symbol of strength, power, and the majesty of God throughout the Scriptures.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A species of the genus Bos or Bubalus (B. bubalus), originally from India, but now found in most of the warmer countries of the eastern continent. It is larger and less docile than the common ox, and is fond of marshy places and rivers.

2. (n.) A very large and savage species of the same genus (B. Caffer) found in South Africa; -- called also Cape buffalo.

3. (n.) Any species of wild ox.

4. (n.) The bison of North America.

5. (n.) A buffalo robe. See Buffalo robe, below.

6. (n.) The buffalo fish. See Buffalo fish, below.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BUFFALO

buf'-a-lo.

See CATTLE.

Library

The Author --Dr. HC Leupold
... The Author"Dr. HC LEUPOLD. Dr. Herbert Carl Leupold, Columbus, Ohio, was
born at Buffalo, NY, on July 23, 1891. He received his ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/the authordr h c leupold.htm

Of the Life and Conduct of Abbot Paphnutius.
... that he enjoyed and delighted in the daily society of angels, and because of this
remarkable characteristic of his [1200] he was surnamed by them the Buffalo. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i of the life.htm

Critical Conventions.
... For the dissatisfied party held a synod of their own at Buffalo Creek, at the time
specified by the constitution, and ordained Bell and David Henkel. 73. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/critical conventions.htm

False Teachings of the Apostasy.
... "Buffalo, Feb.4"A lively row is in progress at Burns, a little town about twenty
miles from Buffalo, growing out of a new money-making scheme, introduced at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii false teachings of.htm

The Evolution of Language
... could instantly recognize. Imagine, for instance, a herd of buffalo browsing
in a glade of the African forest. The vanguard, some ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter v the evolution of.htm

The Worship of the Church
... Title Page. THE WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH And the Beauty of Holiness. by. JA
REGESTER, STD. Rector of St. Paul's Church, Buffalo, NY. "Oh ...
//christianbookshelf.org/regester/the worship of the church/title page.htm

Illustrations
... East gate and sentry box, Bhamo, Burmah 69 19. Farmhouse, with buffalo shed attached
70 20. A fishing village on the lake near Yuennan Fu 77 21. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/illustrations.htm

The First Division of Ancient Christianity: the Church under the ...
... Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to AD325. American edition, Buffalo
and New York, 1885-1896; new edition, New York, 1896 (a reprint). ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/the first division of ancient.htm

Continued.
... And Jehovah rends the cedars of Lebanon, And makes them leap like a calf; Lebanon
and Sirion like a young buffalo The voice of Jehovah hewing flashes of fire! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iii early dayscontinued.htm

Preface. Essentially
... The third deals with the history of the Ohio, Iowa, Buffalo, and the Scandinavian
synods, and, Deo volente, will go to press as soon as Concordia Publishing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/preface essentially.htm

Thesaurus
Buffalo (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A very large and savage species of the same genus (B. Caffer) found in South
Africa; -- called also Cape buffalo. ... 5. (n.) A buffalo robe. ...
/b/buffalo.htm - 8k

Buffalo's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Buffalo's (1 Occurrence). Psalms 92:10 But my horn shalt
thou exalt like a buffalo's: I shall be anointed with fresh oil. (DBY). ...
/b/buffalo's.htm - 6k

Buds (20 Occurrences)

/b/buds.htm - 12k

Buffet (4 Occurrences)

/b/buffet.htm - 9k

Zoology
... Assyrian sculptures. The buffalo is found in Palestine, but is believed
to have been introduced since Bible times. The Tartarian ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

Unicorn (6 Occurrences)
... reem) is doubtful. Some have supposed it to be the buffalo; others, the white
antelope, called by the Arabs rim. Most probably, however ...
/u/unicorn.htm - 10k

Gnat (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Any fly resembling a Culex in form or habits; esp., in America, a small
biting fly of the genus Simulium and allies, as the buffalo gnat, the black fly ...
/g/gnat.htm - 10k

Buffaloes (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Buffalo. Multi-Version Concordance Buffaloes
(2 Occurrences). Psalms 22:21 Save me from the lion's mouth. ...
/b/buffaloes.htm - 7k

Bugle (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A sort of wild ox; a buffalo. 2. (n.)
A horn used by hunters. 3. (n.) A copper instrument of the ...
/b/bugle.htm - 7k

Bottle (28 Occurrences)
... The primitive bottle among eastern peoples was really a bag made from skins, tanned
or untanned, of kid, goat, cow, camel or buffalo-in most cases drawn off of ...
/b/bottle.htm - 23k

Resources
What are the religious / spiritual beliefs of Native Americans? | GotQuestions.org

Buffalo: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Buffalo (5 Occurrences)

Numbers 23:22
God brought him out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of a buffalo.
(DBY)

Numbers 24:8
God brought him out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of a buffalo. He shall consume the nations his enemies, and break their bones, and with his arrows shall smite them in pieces.
(DBY)

Job 39:9
Will the buffalo be willing to serve thee, or will he lodge by thy crib?
(DBY)

Job 39:10
Canst thou bind the buffalo with his cord in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
(DBY)

Psalms 29:6
And he maketh them to skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young buffalo.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Buffalo

Related Terms

Buffalo (5 Occurrences)

Kine (24 Occurrences)

Buffalo's (1 Occurrence)

Skin (115 Occurrences)

Cattle (277 Occurrences)

Buds
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