ταῦρος

a bull, an ox

Definition

The Greek word ταῦρος refers to a male bovine animal, specifically a bull or an ox. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes a sacrificial animal, used in religious rituals. For example, in Hebrews 9:13 and 10:4, it refers to the bulls sacrificed under the Old Covenant for purification from sin. In Acts 14:13, it appears in a pagan context, where the priest of Zeus brings bulls to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas, mistaking them for gods. In Matthew 22:4, it is used metaphorically in a parable, where 'fattened oxen' (ταῦροι) are prepared for a feast, symbolizing the blessings of God's kingdom.

Biblical Usage

This word is used four times in the New Testament, appearing in Gospels, Acts, and Hebrews. Its usage is exclusively in sacrificial or feasting contexts. In Matthew 22:4, it is part of a parable about a wedding feast. In Acts 14:13, it describes animals brought for pagan sacrifice. In Hebrews 9:13 and 10:4, it refers specifically to the bulls sacrificed under the Mosaic Law for sin offerings, highlighting their insufficiency compared to Christ's sacrifice.

Etymology

The word ταῦρος is of ancient Greek origin, directly meaning 'bull' or 'ox'. It has cognates in other Indo-European languages (e.g., Latin 'taurus', Sanskrit 'sthūra'). Its meaning remained stable from classical through Koine Greek, consistently denoting the male bovine. There is no complex derivation; it is a primary noun for the animal.

Semantic Range

Theologically, ταῦρος is significant in the book of Hebrews, where it represents the Old Testament sacrificial system. The repeated sacrifice of bulls (Hebrews 9:13, 10:4) is contrasted with the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, underscoring the doctrine of atonement and the superiority of the New Covenant. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying the specific animal used and its symbolic weight in arguments about ritual purity and redemption.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, bulls were valuable livestock and central to religious practice. For Jews, bulls were prescribed for major sin offerings (Leviticus 4). For Greeks and Romans, bulls were common sacrifices to major gods like Zeus. The cultural understanding was of a prime, often unblemished, male animal offered to deities to secure favor or atonement, differing from a modern view of cattle primarily as a food source.

μόσχος (moschos, G3448) — a young bull or calf, often emphasizing youth. βοῦς (bous, G1016) — a more general term for ox, cow, or cattle, often for labor.

Word Details

Scripture References