The Ox: Laws Respecting: Fallen Under Its Burden to be Raised up Again
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, the ox was a vital asset, essential for plowing fields, threshing grain, and transporting goods. Recognizing the importance of this animal, the Mosaic Law provided specific instructions regarding the treatment of oxen, particularly when they were in distress.

Biblical Mandate

The law concerning an ox fallen under its burden is found in the Book of Deuteronomy. The directive is clear and emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to assist in such situations, regardless of personal feelings towards the owner of the animal. Deuteronomy 22:4 states: "If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help him lift it up."

This command underscores the principle of compassion and communal responsibility. It reflects the broader biblical ethic of loving one's neighbor and acting with kindness and mercy, even towards animals. The law does not allow for indifference; rather, it calls for proactive assistance.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The requirement to help an ox fallen under its burden extends beyond mere animal welfare. It serves as a tangible expression of the love and care that should characterize the community of God's people. The act of helping to lift the burdened animal is a demonstration of obedience to God's commandments and a reflection of His character, which is marked by mercy and compassion.

Furthermore, this law implicitly teaches the value of diligence and responsibility. It encourages individuals to be attentive to the needs of others, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual aid. The act of helping an ox in distress is a practical application of the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (cf. Matthew 7:12).

Application in Ancient Israel

In the context of ancient Israel, where livestock was a primary source of livelihood, the well-being of an ox was directly linked to the economic stability of a household. Therefore, the law served to protect not only the animal but also the owner's means of sustenance. By ensuring that an ox was not left to suffer under its burden, the community safeguarded its own economic health and stability.

Broader Theological Significance

The law concerning the fallen ox also points to a broader theological truth about God's care for all creation. It reflects the biblical theme that God is concerned with the details of life and that His laws are designed to promote the flourishing of both humans and animals. This provision is a reminder of the stewardship role that humanity holds over creation, as outlined in Genesis.

In summary, the law regarding an ox fallen under its burden is a multifaceted command that highlights the importance of compassion, responsibility, and community support. It serves as a reminder of the ethical and moral standards that God set for His people, encouraging them to act with kindness and integrity in all aspects of life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 22:4
You shall not see your brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide yourself from them: you shall surely help him to lift them up again.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... "The ox knoweth his ... of the king's born subjects, than such as by the laws of this ...
Not less true than shrewd was the remark of a Scotch woman respecting one who ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... house, wife, man-servant, maid-servant, ox, and ass ... When it has fallen, what can
be anticipated but ... and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... and demonstrate the riches of his mercy in its extension to ... to bear up the soul in,
at, and under the judgment ... This misplacing of God's laws cannot, I say, but ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... writes that at Athens out of all the laws of [4776 ... a golden calf, and preferred an
Egyptian ox to the ... of sinners, I am to infer His wishes respecting ourselves. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... mountain that stands by his house would have fallen upon my ... of a mast, for the Dead
Sea is under you-a ... By laws and ordinances you will not be saved, since you ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... in Bedford, while Bunyan was an inmate in its jail ... thus refusing to aid in this severe
enforcement of impious laws. ... the relief of those that lie under the load ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... such as go to be executed, as the ox goes to ... And those are comprehended under these
two heads"1. They desire ... when it comes into the place where its Lord is. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... It is more congenial to our fallen nature to notice, and be ... 3; Prov.7:22, 23) Never
went fat ox so gamesomely ... by thus and thus doing submit to the laws of your ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Resources
Why does the KJV Bible mention the unicorn? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be unequally yoked? | GotQuestions.org

Should pastors be paid a salary? | GotQuestions.org

Ox: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Ox

The Ox used for Carrying Burdens

The Ox used for Drawing Wagons

The Ox used for Earing the Ground

The Ox used for Food

The Ox used for Ploughing

The Ox used for Sacrifice

The Ox used for Treading out the Corn

The Ox was Clean and Fit for Food

The Ox was Fed in Stalls

The Ox was Fed in the Valleys

The Ox was Fed with Corn

The Ox was Fed with Grass

The Ox was Fed with Straw

The Ox was Fed: On the Hills

The Ox: (Engaged in Husbandry) of Ministers

The Ox: (Led to Slaughter) of a Rash Youth

The Ox: (Led to Slaughter) of Saints Under Persecution

The Ox: (Not Muzzled in Treading Corn) of Minister's Right To

The Ox: (Prepared for a Feast) the Provision of the Gospel

The Ox: (Stall Fed) Sumptuous Living

The Ox: Beautiful

The Ox: Bull or Bullock of Fierce Enemies

The Ox: Bull or Bullock: (Fatted) of Greedy Mercenaries

The Ox: Bull or Bullock: (Firstling of) of the Glory of Joseph

The Ox: Bull or Bullock: (In a Net) of the Impatient Under Judgment

The Ox: Bull or Bullock: (Unaccustomed to the Yoke) Intractable Sinners

The Ox: Custom of Sending the Pieces of, to Collect the People to War

The Ox: Formed a Part of the Patriarchal Wealth

The Ox: Formed a Part of the Wealth of Israel in Egypt

The Ox: Formed a Part of the Wealth of the Jews

The Ox: Goes to the Slaughter Unconscious

The Ox: Heifer of a Beloved Wife

The Ox: Heifer: (At Grass) of the Luxurious Chaldees

The Ox: Heifer: (Fair) of the Beauty and Wealth of Egypt

The Ox: Heifer: (Of Three Years Old) Moab in Affliction

The Ox: Heifer: (Sliding Back) Backsliding Israel

The Ox: Heifer: (Taught) Israel's Fondness for Ease in Preference To

The Ox: Herdmen Appointed Over

The Ox: Horns and Hoofs of, Alluded To

The Ox: Includes The: Bull

The Ox: Includes The: Bullock

The Ox: Includes The: Cow

The Ox: Includes The: Heifer

The Ox: Increase of, Promised

The Ox: Kine of Proud and Wealthy Rules

The Ox: Kine: (Lean) of Years of Scarcity

The Ox: Kine: (Well Favoured) Years of Plenty

The Ox: Laws Respecting of Others If Lost or Hurt Through Neglect, to be Made Good

The Ox: Laws Respecting of Others not to be Coveted

The Ox: Laws Respecting: Fallen Under Its Burden to be Raised up Again

The Ox: Laws Respecting: Fat of, not to be Eaten

The Ox: Laws Respecting: If Stolen to be Restored Double

The Ox: Laws Respecting: Killing a Man, to be Stoned

The Ox: Laws Respecting: Mode of Reparation for One, Killing Another

The Ox: Laws Respecting: Not to be Muzzled when Treading out the Corn

The Ox: Laws Respecting: Not to be Yoked With an Donkey in the Same Plough

The Ox: Laws Respecting: Straying to be Brought Back to Its Owner

The Ox: Laws Respecting: To Rest on the Sabbath

The Ox: Lowing of, Alluded To

The Ox: Male Firstlings of, Belonged to God

The Ox: Not Without Sagacity

The Ox: Often Found Wild

The Ox: Often Given As a Present

The Ox: Often Stall-Fed for Slaughter

The Ox: Publicly Sold

The Ox: Rapid Manner of Collecting Its Food Alluded To

The Ox: Required Great Care and Attention

The Ox: Sea of Brass Rested on Figures of

The Ox: Strong

The Ox: The Wicked often Took, in Pledge from the Poor

The Ox: Tithe of, Given to the Priests

The Ox: Urged on by the Goad

The Ox: Young of, Considered a Great Delicacy

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Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Ox: Laws Respecting of Others not to be Coveted
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