Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, goats are mentioned frequently and hold significant symbolic and practical roles within the cultural and religious contexts of ancient Israel. They are often associated with pastoral life, sacrificial practices, and metaphorical teachings.Symbolism and Metaphor Goats are often used symbolically in the Bible to represent various spiritual truths. In Matthew 25:32-33 , Jesus uses goats in a parable to illustrate the final judgment: "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left." Here, goats symbolize those who are separated from the righteous, highlighting themes of judgment and discernment. Sacrificial Use Goats were commonly used in sacrificial offerings, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, where two goats play a crucial role. One goat is sacrificed as a sin offering, while the other, known as the "scapegoat," is sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people: "Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities of the Israelites... He shall send the goat away into the wilderness" (Leviticus 16:21-22). Practical and Economic Role In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, goats were valuable for their milk, meat, and hair. Proverbs 27:26-27 highlights their economic importance: "The lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you, your household, and your maidservants." This passage underscores the practical benefits of goat herding, which contributed to the sustenance and economic stability of families. Moral and Ethical Lessons The Bible also uses goats to convey moral and ethical lessons. In the account of Jacob and Esau, Rebekah uses goat skins to deceive Isaac into blessing Jacob instead of Esau (Genesis 27:16). This narrative illustrates themes of deception and the consequences of human actions. Prophetic Imagery Goats appear in prophetic imagery as well. In Daniel 8, a vision features a goat representing the kingdom of Greece, which overcomes a ram symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire. This vision, interpreted by the angel Gabriel, provides insight into the unfolding of historical events and God's sovereignty over nations. Conclusion Throughout the Bible, goats serve as multifaceted symbols and practical resources, reflecting the spiritual, economic, and ethical dimensions of life in biblical times. Their presence in scripture offers rich insights into the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel and the broader theological themes of the Bible. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia GOATS' HAIR('ez): The word for she-goat is used elliptically to mean goats' hair, which was used in the tabernacle furnishings in the form of curtains (Exodus 26:7; Exodus 36:14). Goats' hair was probably used in the Midianite and Israelite camps in much the same way as in the Bedouin camps today (compare Numbers 31:20). The tents, tent ropes and rugs are made of spun goats' hair. The provision sacks which hold wheat, rice, etc., and the saddlebags are made of the same material. A strip of the cloth rolled up furnishes a bolster for the head while sleeping (compare 1 Samuel 19:13, 16). Goats' hair cloth is admirab1y suited to stand the hard usage of a frequently shifting encampment. The children of Israel appreciated its utility, even for the tabernacle, where to the modern critical eye it would have looked out of place, matched against scarlet and fine linen (Exodus 25:4; Exodus 35:6, 26). The fact that goats' hair was used is good indication of the comparative crudeness of the tabernacle, when contrasted with present-day furnishings. Greek 4167. poimne -- a flock ... a flock. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: poimne Phonetic Spelling: (poym'-nay) Short Definition: a flock Definition: a flock (of sheep or goats ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4167.htm - 6k 2055. eriphion -- a little young goat 2056. eriphos -- a young goat 5131. tragos -- a male goat Strong's Hebrew 6629. tson -- small cattle, sheep and goats, flock... 6628, 6629. tson. 6630 . small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Transliteration: tson Phonetic Spelling: (tsone) Short Definition: flock. ... /hebrew/6629.htm - 6k 6260. attud -- male goat 3277. yael -- mountain goat 5795. ez -- female goat 8495. tayish -- male goat 1429. gediyyah -- a kid (a young goat) 1423. gedi -- a kid (a young goat) 8163b. sair -- male goat, buck 5796. ez -- female goat 6842. tsaphir -- male goat Library Method of Poisoning Goats. Turn Away Thine Eyes from Me, Because they have Made Me to Flee ... The Two Advents were Signified by the Two Goats Other Figures of ... Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ... The Same is Proved from the visions which Appeared to Jacob. 'The Scapegoat' On the Words of the Gospel, John. xxi. 16, "Simon, Son of John ... Fifth Sunday in Lent The Manner of Our Offering Sacrifices. Through Her Bosom, we are Told, Nana Conceived a Son by an Apple. ... Thesaurus Goats'...GOATS' HAIR. ...Goats' hair was probably used in the Midianite and Israelite camps in much the same way as in the Bedouin camps today (compare Numbers 31:20). ... /g/goats'.htm - 7k Goats (134 Occurrences) She-goats (3 Occurrences) Rock-goats (1 Occurrence) He-goats (38 Occurrences) Buck (23 Occurrences) Yearling (48 Occurrences) Kid (42 Occurrences) Satyr Oxen (176 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jacob placing branches in front of his flock really result in the offspring being speckled and spotted? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of Azazel / the scapegoat? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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