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.
6. (n.) A howitzer.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
UNICORNu'-ni-korn (re'em (Numbers 23:22;Numbers 24:8Deuteronomy 33:17Job 39:9, 10Psalm 22:21;Psalm 29:6;Psalm 92:10Isaiah 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.
...Library
Types of the Death of Christ Isaac; Joseph; Jacob against Simeon...
... the flesh, the Jews; but when he is blessed by his father in these words: "His glory
is that of a bullock; his horns are the horns of aunicorn; with them...
On the Animals
... The one-horned is theunicorn; in the psalm: and my beloved son is like aunicorn,
that is, of unique power, or unique among the saints, who wholly keep the...
Concerning the Passion of Christ, and Its Old Testament...
... [1330] For Joseph is withal blest by his father [1331] after this form: "His glory
(is that) of a bull; his horns, the horns of anunicorn; on them shall he...
The Cross was Foretold in the Blessings of Joseph, and in the...
... Let him be glorified among his brethren; [2304] his beauty is [like] the firstling
of a bullock; his horns the horns of anunicorn: with these shall he push...
On the Worthy Praise of the Pure Queen of Heaven.
... all thy virtues and graces! Or, who has ever caught the wild and noble
unicorn, if not thou? [10] How infinitely pleasing, above...
Psalm XCII.
... 11. ..."But mine horn shall be exalted like the horn of anunicorn" (ver.10).
Why did He say, "like the horn of anunicorn"? Sometimes...
The Adventures of Saint James of Spain.
... tawny Moors, with bows, and darts feathered with ravens' wings; and after them rode
Celestine, the Shah's fair daughter, mounted on anunicorn, and guarded by...
My Brethren.
... Then the Kingdom will be the Lord's. He who suffered on the cross was heard
"from the horns of theunicorn" (Psalm 22:21). Resurrection...
The Song of the Little Baltung. AD 395
... He showed him ostrich andunicorn, Ape, lion, and tiger keen; And elephants
wise roared 'Hail Kaiser!' As though they had Christians been....
Claudius Apollinaris, Bishop of Hierapolis, and Apologist.
... though Judge of living and dead, and who was delivered into the hands of sinners
to be crucified, who was lifted up on the horns of theunicorn, and who was...
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.
...Zoology
... Mule, Rhinoceros (b) Even-toed non-ruminants: Swine, Hippopotamus (Behemoth) (c)
Ruminants: (1) Bovidae, Domestic Cattle, Wild Ox orUnicorn, Sinaitic Ibex (sv...
Unhypocritical (1 Occurrence)
Unicorns (2 Occurrences)
Ox (197 Occurrences)
... Perhaps the Itala Ozi and the Syriac Uz point to the Hebrew Uzzi. WILD OX. (re'em):
The word "unicorn" occurs in the King James Version in Numbers 23:22...
Pygarg (1 Occurrence)
... The Arabic Bible 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...
Crib (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Crib (3 Occurrences). Job 39:9 Will theunicorn be willing
to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)....
Antelope (2 Occurrences)
... It must be borne in mind that re'm or re'em, rendered "unicorn" (which see) in the
King James Version and "wild ox" in the Revised Version (British and American...
Wild (147 Occurrences)
... Alfred Ely. WILD OX. (re'em): The word "unicorn" occurs in the King James Version
in Numbers 23:22; Numbers 24:8 Deuteronomy 33:17 Job 39:9, 10 Psalm 22:21...
Horn (108 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:11 2 Chronicles 18:10), while "horns of the wildox" (Deuteronomy 33:17
Psalm 22:21; Psalm 92:10, the King James Version "unicorn") represent the...
Resources
What is the Invisible Pink Unicorn argument? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does the KJV Bible mention the unicorn? | GotQuestions.orgAre any mythological creatures mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgUnicorn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
