Topical Bible: The Ox was Fed: On the Hills

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the ox was a vital part of agrarian life, serving as a beast of burden and a source of sustenance. The feeding of oxen on the hills is a practice that reflects the pastoral and agricultural lifestyle of ancient Israel. The hills provided a natural grazing ground, rich with vegetation, which was essential for the nourishment and strength of these animals.

Biblical References

The Bible often references the feeding of livestock, including oxen, as a symbol of prosperity and divine provision. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks of a time of abundance and peace: "The oxen and donkeys that work the ground will eat salted fodder, winnowed with shovel and pitchfork" (Isaiah 30:24). This passage highlights the care and provision given to the oxen, ensuring they are well-fed and able to perform their duties effectively.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, the hills were common grazing areas due to their abundant grass and natural resources. The terrain provided a suitable environment for oxen to roam and feed, which was crucial for their health and productivity. The practice of feeding oxen on the hills is indicative of the symbiotic relationship between the people and their livestock, where the well-being of the animals directly impacted agricultural success and, consequently, the community's livelihood.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

The feeding of oxen on the hills can also be seen as a metaphor for God's provision and care for His people. Just as the hills provide sustenance for the oxen, God provides for the needs of His followers. This imagery is consistent with the biblical theme of God as a shepherd who leads His flock to green pastures, ensuring they lack nothing (cf. Psalm 23:1-2).

Furthermore, the ox is often associated with strength and service, qualities that are esteemed in biblical teachings. The well-fed oxen, strong and capable, symbolize the ideal servant of God, nourished by His word and equipped to carry out His work.

Practical Implications

For the ancient Israelites, the health and strength of their oxen were directly tied to their agricultural productivity and economic stability. Feeding the oxen on the hills was not only a practical necessity but also a reflection of stewardship and responsibility. This practice underscores the importance of caring for God's creation and utilizing the resources He provides wisely.

In summary, the feeding of oxen on the hills is a multifaceted concept within the biblical narrative, encompassing themes of provision, stewardship, and divine care. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of creation and the reliance of humanity on God's abundant provision.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 7:25
And on all hills that shall be dig with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Condescension of Christ
... hungry, I would not tell thee, for the cattle on a thousand hills are mine ... No, where
the ox fed, in the dilapidated stable, in the manger, there the Saviour lies ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the condescension of christ.htm

Perseverance in Holiness
... stand when the mountains shall depart and the hills shall be ... He fed them with angels'
food; he sheltered them by ... likened the Lord of Glory to an ox that eateth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/perseverance in holiness.htm

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... With these and similar meditations she fed her mind, dreading nothing so much ... The
high hills are a ... with the kid and the lion eats straw like the ox; [3686] not ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

A Voice from the Hartley Colliery
... I say, to treat thy God worse than the ox treateth its ... by faith and not by sight,
and be fed with manna ... we have men who are reeking dung-hills of corruption. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a voice from the hartley.htm

Imperial Tombs.
... Frattocchie, at the foot of the Alban hills) was reached ... into the flames; this
extemporized pyre being fed with fresh ... to give him the appearance of an ox (bufalo ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iv imperial tombs.htm

On the Theophany, or Birthday of Christ.
... had strayed upon the mountains and the hills, on which ... through which thou, being
without sense, wast fed by the ... bids thee, thine Owner, like the ox, and like ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxviii on the theophany.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... There is the same double wall of hills, now closely confining the valley, and again
withdrawing from ... One after another, the streams which fed it fail or dwindle ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Book Seven the Conversion to Neoplatonism. ...
... own soul) before the image of an ox that eats ... These things I found there, but I fed
not on ... winds fulfilling thy word; mountains, and all hills, fruitful trees ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book seven the conversion to.htm

The Third Theological Oration.
... I have looked into the statement, "Before all the hills He begetteth ... as in the case
of a horse, or an ox, or a ... [3569] He hungered"but He fed thousands; [3570 ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxix the third theological.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... at the time, stung almost to madness, as an ox by a ... the Word produces in one who
is rightly fed, by making ... weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm