The term "wild-ox" appears in several passages of the Bible and is often associated with strength, power, and untamed nature. In the original Hebrew texts, the word "reem" is used, which has been variously translated as "wild-ox," "unicorn," or "buffalo" in different Bible versions. The Berean Standard Bible uses "wild-ox," which aligns with the understanding of a powerful, untamed animal.

Biblical References:

1. Numbers 23:22 : "God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox." This verse highlights the immense power and might of God, comparing His deliverance of Israel from Egypt to the strength of a wild-ox. The imagery suggests an unstoppable force, emphasizing God's ability to protect and lead His people.

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 wild-ox symbolizes the strength and majesty of Joseph's descendants. The horns represent power and dominance, indicating their future victories and influence over other nations.

3. Job 39:9-12 : "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? Can you rely on its great strength? Will you leave your heavy work to it? Can you trust it to bring in your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?" In this passage, God challenges Job by pointing out the untamable nature of the wild-ox. The rhetorical questions emphasize the creature's independence and strength, underscoring the limitations of human control over God's creation.

4. Psalm 92:10 : "But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed." The psalmist uses the wild-ox as a metaphor for strength and exaltation. The "horn" symbolizes power and honor, suggesting that God has elevated the psalmist to a position of strength and blessing.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, the wild-ox is a symbol of untamed strength and power. It represents the might and majesty of God's creation, often used to illustrate divine power and the futility of human efforts to control or harness such strength. The wild-ox serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the natural order He established.

The wild-ox also signifies the blessings and strength bestowed upon God's people. In the context of the tribes of Israel, it represents the potential for greatness and the divine favor that enables them to overcome adversaries.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The exact identity of the "reem" is debated among scholars. Some suggest it refers to the aurochs, an extinct species of large wild cattle that once roamed the Near East. Others propose it could be the Arabian oryx or a similar wild bovine. Regardless of its precise identification, the wild-ox in biblical times was recognized as a formidable and majestic creature, embodying the untamed wilderness and the power inherent in God's creation.

In summary, the wild-ox in the Bible is a powerful symbol of strength, divine power, and the untamable aspects of nature. It serves as a metaphor for God's might and the blessings He bestows upon His people, illustrating themes of sovereignty, majesty, and divine favor throughout the Scriptures.7214. reem -- a wild ox
... 7213, 7214. reem or reem or rem or rem. 7215 . a wild ox. Transliteration:
reem or reem or rem or rem Phonetic Spelling: (reh-ame') Short Definition: ox. ...
/hebrew/7214.htm - 6k

The Creator's Joy in his Creation
... Will the wild-ox be content to serve thee? Or will he abide by thy crib?
Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the creators joy in.htm

The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... king is among them. God bringeth them forth out of Egypt; He hath as it were
the strength of the wild-ox. Surely there is no enchantment ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... Gaza. A wild ox feeding in the field I seized by the horns; and whirling
it round and stunning it, I cast it from me, and slew it. ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

The Nile and Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 1. <. ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Appendices
Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations. <. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Wild-ox (6 Occurrences)
Wild-ox. Wildly, Wild-ox. Wild-oxen . Multi-Version Concordance
Wild-ox (6 Occurrences). Numbers 23:22 God bringeth ...
/w/wild-ox.htm - 7k

Ox (197 Occurrences)
... Yahweh's goodness (Psalm 92:10): "But my horn hast thou exalted like the horn of
the wildox." In Job 39:9-12 the subduing and training of the wild-ox are cited ...
/o/ox.htm - 43k

Zoology
... toed: Horse, Ass, Mule, Rhinoceros (b) Even-toed non-ruminants: Swine, Hippopotamus
(Behemoth) (c) Ruminants: (1) Bovidae, Domestic Cattle, WildOx or Unicorn ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

Unicorn (6 Occurrences)
... Described as an animal of great ferocity and strength (Numbers 23:22, RV, "wild
ox, " marg., "ox-antelope;24:8; Isaiah 34:7, RV, "wild oxen"), and untamable ...
/u/unicorn.htm - 10k

Antelope (2 Occurrences)
... an'-te-lop (RV; the King James Version "wildox," te'o (Deuteronomy 14:5), and
"wild bull," to (Isaiah 51:20)); orux (The Septuagint in Codex Vaticanus has hos ...
/a/antelope.htm - 11k

Cattle (277 Occurrences)
... the flock (tso'n) of thy heritage." The wildox or wild bull, the Revised Version
(British and American) "antelope" (te'o or to' of Deuteronomy 14:5 and Isaiah ...
/c/cattle.htm - 52k

Wild (147 Occurrences)
... Yahweh's goodness (Psalm 92:10): "But my horn hast thou exalted like the horn of
the wildox." In Job 39:9-12 the subduing and training of the wild-ox are cited ...
/w/wild.htm - 50k

Lofty (44 Occurrences)
... God, (WEY). Numbers 23:22 God bringeth them forth out of Egypt; He hath
as it were the strength of the wild-ox. (See JPS). Numbers ...
/l/lofty.htm - 20k

Pygarg (1 Occurrence)
... has ri'm, "a white gazelle," a kindred word to re'em, the King James Version "unicorn,"
the Revised Version (British and American) "wild-ox." Tristram, Tristram ...
/p/pygarg.htm - 9k

Brings (155 Occurrences)
... Numbers 23:22 God brings them out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the
wildox. (WEB NAS RSV). ... He has as it were the strength of the wildox. ...
/b/brings.htm - 33k

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