Jump to: Smith's • SAA • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "unicorn" appears in several passages of the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament, and has been a subject of much debate and interpretation. In the Berean Standard Bible , the word "unicorn" is often translated from the Hebrew word "re'em," which is believed to refer to a powerful, horned animal. The exact identity of this creature has been the subject of scholarly discussion, with some suggesting it may refer to a now-extinct wild ox or a rhinoceros.Biblical References: 1. Numbers 23:22 : "God brought them out of Egypt; He is for them like the horns of a wild ox." In this passage, the strength and power of God are likened to the horns of a "wild ox," which some translations render as "unicorn." This imagery emphasizes the might and invincibility of God's deliverance. 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 "horns of a wild ox" symbolize strength and dominance, attributes associated with the tribes of Joseph. 3. Job 39:9-10 : "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?" These verses highlight the untamable nature of the "wild ox," underscoring its independence and strength, qualities that align with the traditional image of a unicorn as a powerful and free creature. 4. Psalm 22:21 : "Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild ox You have answered me." The plea for deliverance from the "horns of the wild ox" suggests a formidable threat, reinforcing the creature's association with power and danger. 5. Psalm 92:10 : "But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed." The exaltation of one's "horn" like that of a "wild ox" symbolizes strength and honor, often interpreted as divine favor and empowerment. Interpretations and Theories: The identity of the "unicorn" or "wild ox" in these passages has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. Some early translations, such as the King James Version, used the term "unicorn," which has led to the popular image of a mythical, single-horned horse. However, modern scholarship generally leans towards identifying the "re'em" as a real animal known to the ancient Near East, such as the aurochs, an extinct species of large wild cattle, or possibly the Arabian or Indian rhinoceros. The use of the term "unicorn" in older translations may have been influenced by the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, which used the word "monokeros," meaning "one-horned." This translation choice contributed to the mythical connotations associated with the unicorn in later Western culture. Symbolism: In biblical literature, the unicorn or wild ox is often a symbol of untamed strength and divine power. Its frequent association with God's might and the strength of His people serves to illustrate the themes of protection, deliverance, and the overwhelming power of the divine. The imagery of the unicorn as a creature that cannot be domesticated or controlled by human means further emphasizes the sovereignty and majesty of God, who alone can command such power. The unicorn's symbolic representation of purity and holiness in later Christian art and literature, while not directly derived from biblical texts, reflects the enduring legacy of its biblical associations with divine strength and majesty. Easton's Bible Dictionary Described as an animal of great ferocity and strength (Numbers 23:22, R.V., "wild ox, " marg., "ox-antelope;24:8; Isaiah 34:7, R.V., "wild oxen"), and untamable (Job 39:9). It was in reality a two-horned animal; but the exact reference of the word so rendered (reem) is doubtful. Some have supposed it to be the buffalo; others, the white antelope, called by the Arabs rim. Most probably, however, the word denotes the Bos primigenius ("primitive ox"), which is now extinct all over the world. This was the auerochs of the Germans, and the urus described by Caesar (Galatians Bel., vi.28) as inhabiting the Hercynian forest. The word thus rendered has been found in an Assyrian inscription written over the wild ox or bison, which some also suppose to be the animal intended (Comp. Deuteronomy 33:17; Psalm 22:21; 29:6; 92:10). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; -- often represented in heraldry as a supporter.2. (n.) A two-horned animal of some unknown kind, so called in the Authorized Version of the Scriptures. 3. (n.) Any large beetle having a hornlike prominence on the head or prothorax. 4. (n.) The larva of a unicorn moth. 5. (n.) The kamichi; -- called also unicorn bird. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia UNICORNu'-ni-korn (re'em (Numbers 23:22; Numbers 24:8 Deuteronomy 33:17 Job 39:9, 10 Psalm 22:21; Psalm 29:6; Psalm 92:10 Isaiah 34:7)): "Unicorn" occurs in the King James Version in the passages cited, where the Revised Version (British and American) has "wild-ox" (which see). Strong's Hebrew 7214. reem -- a wild ox... unicorn. Or rieym {reh-ame'}; or reym {rame}; or rem {rame}; from ra'am; a wild bull (from its conspicuousness) -- unicorn. see HEBREW ra'am. 7213, 7214. ... /hebrew/7214.htm - 6k Library Types of the Death of Christ Isaac; Joseph; Jacob against Simeon ... On the Animals Concerning the Passion of Christ, and Its Old Testament ... The Cross was Foretold in the Blessings of Joseph, and in the ... On the Worthy Praise of the Pure Queen of Heaven. Psalm XCII. The Adventures of Saint James of Spain. My Brethren. The Song of the Little Baltung. AD 395 Claudius Apollinaris, Bishop of Hierapolis, and Apologist. Thesaurus Unicorn (6 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) The larva of a unicorn moth. 5. (n.) The kamichi; -- called also unicorn bird. 6. (n.) A howitzer. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. UNICORN. ... /u/unicorn.htm - 10k Zoology Unhypocritical (1 Occurrence) Unicorns (2 Occurrences) Ox (197 Occurrences) Pygarg (1 Occurrence) Crib (3 Occurrences) Antelope (2 Occurrences) Wild (147 Occurrences) Horn (108 Occurrences) Resources What is the Invisible Pink Unicorn argument? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does the KJV Bible mention the unicorn? | GotQuestions.org Are any mythological creatures mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Unicorn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Unicorn (6 Occurrences)Numbers 23:22 Numbers 24:8 Job 39:9 Job 39:10 Psalms 29:6 Psalms 92:10 Subtopics Wild Ox of God As the Strength of Israel Wild Ox of the Judgments of God Wild Ox: (Horns of) of the Strength of Powerful Enemies Wild Ox: (Horns of) of the Strength of the Descendants of Joseph Wild Ox: (The Position of Its Horns) the Exaltation of Saints Wild Ox: Generally had a Single Horn Wild Ox: Intractable in Disposition Wild Ox: Sometimes Found With Two Horns Wild Ox: The Young of, Remarkable for Agility Related Terms |
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