Lexical Summary
shor: Ox, bull
Original Word:שׁוֹר
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:showr
Pronunciation:shōr
Phonetic Spelling:(shore)
KJV: bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for H7791)
NASB:ox, oxen, bull, bulls, cattle, herd
Word Origin:[fromH7788 (שׁוּר - carriers)]
1. a bullock (as a traveller)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
bullock, cow, ox
Fromshuwr; a bullock (as a traveller) -- bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake forshuwr).
see HEBREWshuwr
see HEBREWshuwr
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitiona head of cattle (bullock, ox, etc.)
NASB Translationbull (1), bulls (1), cattle (1), herd (1), ox (65), oxen (8).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
78Nehemiah 5:18 a , etc. (often + , , etc.); — absolute
Isaiah 1:3 +, construct
Exodus 21:35 +, suffix
Exodus 20:17 +, etc.; plural
Hosea 12:2; — usually a single
head of cattle, without emphasis on sex (opposed to collective
Exodus 21:37;
Numbers 7:3): as property, spoil of war, etc.
Exodus 20:17 (E; Gi
Exodus 20:14) =
Deuteronomy 5:18, compare
Deuteronomy 5:14;
Exodus 21:33 (E) ""
Deuteronomy 22:4;
Exodus 21:37 (twice in verse) ("" of five head),
Exodus 22:3;
Exodus 22:8;
Exodus 22:9;
Exodus 22:29;
Exodus 23:12 (all E),
Deuteronomy 22:1;
Genesis 49:6 (poem in J),
Deuteronomy 28:31;
Judges 6:4;
1 Samuel 12:3;
Job 24:3; as
licking up () grass
Numbers 22:4 (J), feeding
Psalm 106:20 (in reference to golden calf), compare
Isaiah 7:25;
Isaiah 32:30; lowing
Job 6:5; as intelligent
Isaiah 1:3, vicious (goring )
Exodus 21:28 (3 t. in verse) + 11 t.
Exodus 21 (E); used in ploughing
Deuteronomy 22:10, threshing
Deuteronomy 25:4, compare
Proverbs 14:4; drawing wagon
Numbers 7:3 (P; opposed to collective);
Ezekiel 1:10; specifically of male
Job 21:10 (opposed to ), of female
Leviticus 22:28 (H), perhaps also
Numbers 18:17 (P), apparently Generic
Deuteronomy 15:19;
Deuteronomy 33:17 (poem, figurative); rarely collective
Genesis 32:6 (+ ),
Exodus 34:19 — compare
Leviticus 27:26 (P) —
Joshua 6:21;
Joshua 7:24 (all J),
1 Samuel 15:3;
1 Samuel 22:19; as slaughtered
Proverbs 7:22, for food
1 Samuel 14:34 (twice in verse) (but v
b read with Th We Dr and others),
1 Kings 1:19,25;
Deuteronomy 14:4;
Leviticus 17:3 (H), compare
Nehemiah 5:18 ( ),
Proverbs 15:17; for sacrifice
Judges 6:25 (, text strange, compare GFM),
Psalm 69:32 (, but join to v
b Bae),
2 Samuel 6:13;
Hosea 12:12;
Leviticus 9:4,18 (P),
Leviticus 22:23,27 (H),
Numbers 15:11 (P),
Deuteronomy 17:1;
Deuteronomy 18:3, compare
Leviticus 7:23;
Leviticus 9:19;
Leviticus 4:10 (P); illicit sacrifice
Isaiah 66:3.
[] ( Syriac; Biblical Hebrew , √ III. ); — plural absolute , for sacrificeEzra 6:9,17; as eating grassDaniel 4:22;Daniel 4:29;Daniel 4:30;Daniel 5:21.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and ScopeShor designates the domesticated bovine, male or female, used for plowing, threshing, transport, sacrifice, food, and as a monetary standard. The term spans the whole life-cycle—from calf to mature animal—and therefore appears in narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic contexts.
Earliest Appearances in Patriarchal Life
Oxen signal God-given prosperity (Genesis 12:16; 32:5) and serve as bridal price (Genesis 34:28–29). When Jacob blesses Joseph, “The blessings of your father… are on the crown of the head of the one set apart from his brothers” (Genesis 49:26), the imagery of strength later linked with oxen undergirds tribal identity (“the horns of the wild ox,”Deuteronomy 33:17).
Cultic and Sacrificial Usage
While Levitical legislation normally speaks of the “bull” (par), Shor is used interchangeably when the emphasis falls on the owner’s domestic herd (Numbers 7:3, 7:17; 15:11). The animal had to be “without defect,” prefiguring the perfect sacrifice of Christ. InNumbers 23:9–10 the burnt offering of “seven bulls and seven rams” (shor) formed part of Balaam’s intended curse, underscoring that even pagan divination recognized the bull’s sacrificial value—yet God turned the curse into blessing.
Civil and Criminal Legislation
Exodus 21:28–36 establishes case law for goring, grazing damage, and accidental death. Capital liability for a habitually goring ox protects community life and places full responsibility on the owner. Theft restitution escalates to “five oxen for an ox” (Exodus 22:1), attesting the animal’s high economic worth.Deuteronomy 22:1–4 commands the return of straying oxen, embedding neighbor-love in daily agrarian routine.
Agricultural and Economic Significance
Job’s wealth is counted in oxen (Job 1:14). Elisha’s family owns “twelve yoke of oxen” (1 Kings 19:19), a picture of substantial acreage. Proverbs integrates the animal into practical theology: “Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox” (Proverbs 14:4). Oxen convert human toil into multiplied yield, illustrating stewardship of creation.
Labor and Compassion
“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain” (Deuteronomy 25:4) grounds Paul’s teaching on ministerial support (1 Corinthians 9:9;1 Timothy 5:18). Humane treatment of working animals models God’s wider concern for all creatures and validates remuneration for gospel labor.
Symbol of Strength and Royalty
Psalm 22:12 speaks of “strong bulls of Bashan,” signifying formidable opposition to David’s greater Son at the cross. In prophetic vision the cherubim bear “the face of an ox” (Ezekiel 1:10; 10:14), portraying tireless service and divine strength at God’s throne.
Wisdom and Moral Instruction
Proverbs 15:17 contrasts a “fattened ox” at a loveless feast with simple food flavored by love, teaching that relational righteousness outweighs material abundance. The ox metaphor underlines moral consequence: “A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool” (Proverbs 17:10)—the same wordpicture of the animal trained by guidance rather than punishment.
Covenant and Eschatology
Isaiah indicts covenant violation: “The ox knows its owner… but Israel does not understand” (Isaiah 1:3). The messianic kingdom reverses that ignorance; peace extends to livestock: “The ox and the young lion will graze together” (Isaiah 11:6–7).
Christological Foreshadowing
The Gospels recall the Sabbath principle protecting oxen (Luke 13:15; 14:5) to expose legalism and reveal the Lord of the Sabbath. In parable, purchased oxen represent worldly preoccupation that hinders banquet attendance (Luke 14:19). Ultimately, the strength and submissive labor of the shor find fulfillment in Jesus, who bears the yoke of redemption and invites the weary to His own (Matthew 11:29–30).
Pastoral and Ministry Application
1. Diligence: As the ox plows steadily, so believers labor faithfully, “always excelling in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
2. Restitution and Responsibility: Owners who neglect a dangerous ox face judgment; likewise, leaders must guard the flock.
3. Provision for Gospel Workers: The unmuzzled ox undergirds a theology of generous, joyful support for those who preach.
4. Compassionate Dominion: Ethical treatment of livestock models a broader Christian environmental ethic without capitulating to pantheism.
Summary
Shor gathers a rich cluster of meanings—strength, service, sacrifice, and sustenance. From patriarchal tents to prophetic visions, the ox illustrates God’s provision, humanity’s stewardship, and the foreshadowing of Christ’s redemptive work. Its presence across narrative, law, wisdom, and prophecy invites believers to a life marked by responsible labor, compassionate care, and sacrificial worship.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּשׁוֹר־ בשור־ הַשּׁ֑וֹר הַשּׁ֔וֹר הַשּׁ֖וֹר הַשּׁ֗וֹר הַשּׁ֜וֹר הַשּׁ֤וֹר הַשּׁוֹר֙ השור וְהַשּׁ֖וֹר וְשׁ֖וֹר וְשׁ֣וֹר וְשׁ֥וֹר וְשׁ֧וֹר וְשׁ֨וֹר וְשׁוֹר֣וֹ וְשׁוֹרְךָ֨ וָשׁ֖וֹר והשור ור ושור ושורו ושורך כְּ֭שׁוֹר כשור לְשֹׁרְךָ֖ לַשּׁוֹר֙ לשור לשרך מִשּׁ֖וֹר מִשּׁ֣וֹר מִשּׁ֥וֹר מִשּׁ֧וֹר משור שְׁוָרִ֣ים שּׁ֖וֹר שּׁ֝֗וֹר שֽׁוֹרְךָ֙ שֽׁוֹר־ שֽׁוֹר׃ שׁ֔וֹר שׁ֕וֹר שׁ֖וֹר שׁ֝֗וֹר שׁ֡וֹר שׁ֣וֹר שׁ֥וֹר שׁ֧וֹר שׁ֨וֹר שׁוֹר֙ שׁוֹר֜וֹ שׁוֹר֣וֹ שׁוֹר֧וֹ שׁוֹר֩ שׁוֹר֩ ׀ שׁוֹרְךָ֞ שׁוֹרֶ֔ךָ שׁוֹרוֹ֙ שׁוֹרוֹ֩ שור שור־ שור׃ שורו שורים שורך bə·šō·wr- beshor bəšōwr- haš·šō·wr hashShor haššōwr kə·šō·wr Keshor kəšōwr laš·šō·wr lashshOr laššōwr lə·šō·rə·ḵā leshoreCha ləšōrəḵā miš·šō·wr mishShor miššōwr šə·wā·rîm šəwārîm shevaRim Shor shorCha shoRecha shoRo šō·w·re·ḵā šō·w·rōw šō·wr šō·wr- šō·wr·ḵā šōwr šōwr- šōwreḵā šōwrḵā šōwrōw vaShor vehashShor veShor veshorCha veshoRo vr wā·šō·wr wāšōwr wə·haš·šō·wr wə·šō·w·rōw wə·šō·wr wə·šō·wr·ḵā wəhaššōwr wəšōwr wəšōwrḵā wəšōwrōw wr
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