Topical Bible: The Ox: Beautiful

◄ The Ox: Beautiful ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The ox, a symbol of strength and service, holds a significant place in biblical literature and ancient Near Eastern culture. In the Bible, the ox is often associated with agricultural labor, sacrifice, and divine provision. Its presence in Scripture underscores themes of diligence, obedience, and the beauty of God's creation.

Symbol of Strength and Service

The ox is frequently depicted as a beast of burden, essential for plowing fields and threshing grain. In Proverbs 14:4, the value of the ox is highlighted: "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox." This verse emphasizes the ox's role in productivity and prosperity, illustrating the beauty of hard work and the blessings it brings.

Sacrificial Significance

In the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, the ox was considered a valuable offering. Leviticus 1:3 describes the requirements for a burnt offering: "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 an unblemished sacrifice, symbolizes purity and the beauty of atonement, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Divine Provision and Blessing

The ox is also a symbol of God's provision. In Deuteronomy 25:4, the law states, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." This command reflects God's care for His creation and His desire for fairness and kindness, even towards animals. The beauty of this provision is mirrored in the New Testament, where Paul applies this principle to the support of Christian workers (1 Corinthians 9:9-10).

Prophetic Imagery

In prophetic literature, the ox is used to convey messages of hope 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's recognition of its master serves as a rebuke to Israel's unfaithfulness, yet it also holds a promise of return to divine relationship and understanding.

Apocalyptic Vision

In the book of Ezekiel, the ox appears in the vision of the four living creatures, each with the face of an ox, among others (Ezekiel 1:10). This imagery is echoed in Revelation 4:7, where the ox represents one of the four living creatures around the throne of God. The ox's presence in these visions signifies endurance, strength, and the beauty of God's eternal kingdom.

Conclusion

The ox, in its various biblical contexts, embodies themes of strength, sacrifice, provision, and divine beauty. Its role in Scripture serves as a reminder of the diligence and faithfulness required of God's people, as well as the abundant blessings that flow from a life aligned with His purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 46:20
Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction comes; it comes out of the north.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 10:11
And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loves to tread out the corn; but I passed over on her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Man to be Wrought Upon.
... Creating an ox or a tree or stone each different from the other, giving ... being; and
this feature makes the work of grace exceedingly beautiful, glorious, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/i the man to be.htm

Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... Such Helens are the ladies of the present day, not truly beautiful, but richly got
up. ... melted them; but having cast their gold into the form of an ox, and paid ...
/.../the instructor paedagogus/chapter xiiiagainst excessive fondness for.htm

The Great Suit: Jehovah Versus Judah
... and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me.3. The ox knoweth his ...
There is something very beautiful and pathetic in the fact that Judah is not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the great suit jehovah versus.htm

"If we Say that we have Fellowship with Him, and Walk in Darkness ...
... as unreasonable and absurd, as it is irreligious: It wholly perverts that beautiful
order, makes ... lark by its singing, a horse by his neighing, and an ox by his ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiii if we say.htm

Thanksgiving to God for Deliverance from the Evils Expected Owing ...
... again, as to brutes; some are more powerful than the rest; and some more beautiful. ...
and swine nourish; sheep and goats provide us clothing; and the ox and ass ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xi thanksgiving to god.htm

Introduction
... Just as these "four pillars" served to display the beautiful veil, so in the four ...
of the Jews." The second cherubim was "like a calf" or "young ox." The young ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/introduction.htm

The Gospel Day Seen in Prophecy.
... should come was foreseen by the prophets, who break forth in beautiful strains of ...
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

The Story of Moses, the Child who was Found in the River
... They opened it, and there was a beautiful little baby, who began to cry to be taken
up. ... that so wise a people as these should bow down and pray to an ox, or to ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of moses the.htm

1 Timothy v. 15-Nov
... Unless he is as the ox treading out the corn, and bearing the yoke, in ... Raise thy
view from pillars of stone to that beautiful fabric, compared with which the ...
/.../homily xv 1 timothy v.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... him, whatever she may be to others, she is fair, lovely, comely, beautiful, and
in ... represented a lion; that of Reuben, a man; that of Joseph, an ox; and that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm