שׁוֹר
a bullock (as a traveller)
Definition
The Hebrew word שׁוֹר (shôwr) primarily refers to a domesticated bovine animal, most commonly translated as 'ox' or 'bullock.' It denotes a strong, valuable work animal used for plowing, threshing, and transportation (e.g., Deuteronomy 25:4, 1 Samuel 14:14). In legal contexts, it specifically refers to an owned ox that could cause injury or damage, as detailed in the laws of Exodus 21:28-36. The term can also be used more broadly for cattle in general, including cows, as seen in passages like Genesis 32:5 and Numbers 7:3-88, where they are listed as possessions and sacrificial offerings.
Biblical Usage
שׁוֹר appears frequently in legal and narrative texts, especially in the Torah. It is central to property and liability laws in Exodus 21, detailing owner responsibility for a goring ox. The word is common in sacrificial contexts (e.g., Leviticus, Numbers) and in descriptions of agricultural life and wealth (e.g., Job 1:3, 1 Kings 1:9). It also appears in poetic and prophetic literature, sometimes symbolizing strength or stubbornness (e.g., Psalm 22:12, Isaiah 1:3).
Etymology
Derived from the root שׁוּר (shûr, H7788), meaning 'to travel, journey, or survey.' This connection highlights the ox's primary role as a beast of burden and a traveler, used for pulling carts and plows across distances. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic 'ṯr' and Arabic 'thawr,' both meaning 'bull.'
Semantic Range
The שׁוֹר holds theological significance as a key sacrificial animal for sin and peace offerings (Leviticus 4, 9), pointing to atonement and fellowship with God. Its inclusion in the Ten Commandments ('You shall not covet your neighbor's ox,' Exodus 20:17) underscores the importance of property and contentment in God's law. Understanding it as a valuable, powerful asset enriches readings of texts about provision, sacrifice, and social justice.
In ancient Israel, an ox was a vital economic asset, essential for farming, transportation, and food. Its value made it a standard measure of wealth. Laws concerning oxen (Exodus 21) reflect a pastoral society where such animals were integral to daily life and community safety, with strict penalties for negligence. This contrasts with modern, industrialized views of livestock.
פַּר (par, H6499) — a young bull, often specified for sacrifice; בָּקָר (bāqār, H1241) — general term for cattle, herd; עֵגֶל (ʿēgel, H5695) — a calf, a young bovine.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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