Proverbs 14:4 — Word Study
WLCבְּאֵ֣ין אֲ֭לָפִים אֵב֣וּס בָּ֑ר וְרָב־ תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת בְּכֹ֣חַ שֽׁוֹר׃
BSAWhere there are noʼayin [absent, none] oxenʼeleph [cattle, livestock] the mangerʼêbûwç [crib, feeding trough] is emptybar [clean, pure] but an abundantrôb [great, plentiful] harvest comestᵉbûwʼâh [produce, crop] through the strengthkôach [power, might] of the oxshôwr [bull, cattle]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בְּאֵ֣ין | when there not | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| אֲ֭לָפִים | [are] cattle | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| אֵב֣וּס | [the] feeding trough | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| בָּ֑ר | [is] clean | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְרָב־ | and abundance of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת | produce | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| בְּכֹ֣חַ | [is] by [the] strength of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| שֽׁוֹר׃ | an ox | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. |
| KJV | Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. |
| ASV | Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; But much increase is by the strength of the ox. |
| YLT | Without oxen a stall [is] clean, And great [is] the increase by the power of the ox. |
| WEB | Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox. |
| BBE | Where there are no oxen, their food-place is clean; but much increase comes through the strength of the ox. |
Translations agree on the essential meaning, reflecting the relationship between oxen and harvest.
The sentence has a main clause followed by two contrasting ideas, emphasizing the relationship between absence and abundance.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֶלֶף
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 14:4
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom on Work and Productivitygenerated
Proverbs 14:4 illustrates the relationship between resources and productivity. The absence of oxen leads to an empty manger, symbolizing a lack of effort or resources. In contrast, when oxen are present, they contribute significantly to the harvest, emphasizing the importance of hard work and the right tools in achieving success.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amos 4:6 | “I beset all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. |
| 2 | Proverbs 13:23 | Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away. |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 9:9–11 | For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תְּבוּאָה, te.vu.'otgenerated
The word תְּבוּאָה (tevu'ah) refers to produce or yield, particularly from agricultural activities. It encompasses the idea of crops or revenue generated from the land, indicating the results of labor and cultivation.
This feminine plural noun highlights the fruits of labor, suggesting that a successful harvest is a direct outcome of diligent work and the use of available resources, such as oxen for plowing.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations of this verse agree on the essential meaning, consistently conveying that the absence of oxen leads to an empty manger while the presence of oxen results in an abundant harvest.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the verb אֵ֣ין, there are not, which sets the context for the absence of oxen. This is followed by two clauses: one describing the empty manger and the other highlighting the abundant harvest.
The structure emphasizes the contrast between lack and abundance, with the first part addressing the absence of resources and the second part illustrating the benefits of having them.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew term for אֲ֭לָפִים is rendered as βόες (boes), which specifically refers to cattle. This choice indicates a direct correlation with the agricultural context of the verse.
The translation captures the essence of the original Hebrew while adapting it to a Greek-speaking audience, maintaining the focus on livestock and their role in farming.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 14:4 tells us that when there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty, but having oxen leads to a plentiful harvest. This highlights the importance of resources and effort in achieving good results.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
An empty manger signifies a lack of resources or effort, indicating that without the necessary tools or animals, productivity is hindered.
Oxen are used for plowing and farming, making it possible to cultivate land effectively, which in turn leads to a bountiful harvest.
Abundance refers to a large quantity or plentiful yield, emphasizing the rewards of hard work and the importance of having the right resources.
This verse teaches that having the right tools and resources is essential for success in any endeavor, whether in farming or other aspects of life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What resources do I have that can help me achieve my goals?
- How can I ensure that I am making the most of the tools and opportunities available to me?
- In what areas of my life do I need to invest more effort to see a fruitful outcome?
- How does this verse encourage me to take action in my responsibilities?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early commentary by Bede interprets this verse as a metaphor for teachers and their listeners, connecting agricultural imagery to spiritual teaching.
Where there are no oxen, the crib is empty, etc. These are connected with the preceding. For the oxen signify catholic teachers; the crib, the listeners of the assemblies; the crops, the fruits of good works.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 14 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 14:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhere no oxen [are] the crib [is] clean,.... Or "empty" (z), so Jarchi and Aben Ezra.
Read John Gill on Proverbs 14 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhere no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Where no oxen are, the crib is clean - i:e, Where there is no tillage of the ground (which in the East is effected by oxen), there is no food.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 14 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe crib is clean; the barn or stable is empty of food for cattle, and much more for man, whose food is more scarce and dear. In the same sense cleanness of teeth is put for famine, . By the strength of the ox; by their labours, or by diligence in husbandry, which then was principally managed by oxen.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 14 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 14:4 Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox.Ver. 4. Where no oxen are, the crib is clean.] The barn and garners are empty. Neque mola, neque farina; no good to be got without hard labour of men and cattle. Let the idle man’ s motto be that of the lily, neque laborant, neque nent: "They neither toil nor spin." Man is born to toil, as the sparks fly upwards. And spinster they say is a term given the greatest women in our law. Our lives are called "the lives of our hands," because to be maintained by the labour of our hands. But much increase is by the strength of the ox.] This is one of those beasts that serve ad esum et ad usum…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 14 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) Where no oxen are, the crib is clean . . .—A proverb which may be taken in various ways. Some have seen in it an exhortation to kindness towards animals in consideration of their great usefulness. Others, that labour has its disagreeable aspect, but also brings its reward, whether material prosperity (“much increase”) or a more enduring reward. (Comp. Galatians 6:9.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 14 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. But much increase is by the strength of the ox.] The ox is the most profitable of all the beasts used in husbandry. Except merely for speed, he is almost in every respect superior to the horse. 1. He is longer lived. 2. Scarcely liable to any diseases. 3. He is steady, and always pulls fair in his gears. 4. He lives, fattens, and maintains his strength on what a horse will not eat, and therefore is supported on one third the cost. 5. His manure is more profitable. And, 6, When he is worn out in his labour his flesh is good for the nourishment of man, his horns of great utility, and his hide almost invaluable. It might be added, he is little or no expense in shoeing, and his gears…
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 14 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. the crib is clean] and therefore the labour of cleansing and replenishing it is avoided; but the fruit of such labour is lost also. This is what we ourselves understand by a “proverb,” a salient example of a general law. See Introd. ch. II. p. 16.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 14 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Biblei. e., Labor has its rough, unpleasant side, yet it ends in profit. So also, the life of contemplation may seem purer, “cleaner “than that of action.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 14 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.
Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean, but an abundant harvest is produced by strong oxen.
Tyndale line
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; But much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Where no oxen are , the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Where none oxen are, there the cribbe is emptie: but much increase cometh by the strength of the oxe.
Strictly literal
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Without oxen a stall [is] clean, And great [is] the increase by the power of the ox.
Without oxen a stall [is] clean, || And great [is] the increase by the power of the ox.
Where no oxen are, is the crib clean; but the abundance of harvests is [only] through the strength of the ox.
Where there are no cattle the feeding trough is clean, but an abundant crop can come by the strength of an ox.
From the Latin
Where there are no oxen, the crib is empty: but where there is much corn, there the strength of the ox is manifest.
Simplified
Without oxen, the manger is empty, but a good harvest comes through the ox's strength.
Where there are no oxen, their food-place is clean; but much increase comes through the strength of the ox.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the wording of this verse, with 7 of the 8 words matched. The Septuagint presents a different word order, but the meaning remains consistent with the Hebrew.
בְּאֵ֣ין אֲ֭לָפִים אֵב֣וּס בָּ֑ר וְרָב־ תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת בְּכֹ֣חַ שֽׁוֹר׃
7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 14:4
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אַ֫יִן (ayin) primarily means 'nothing' or 'nought' and serves as a negative particle indicating absence or negation, such as 'is not' or 'there is not.' It can also express lack of possession or existence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be non-existent, and it appears frequently in various grammatical constructions.
אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought
to nothing, as nothing
cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not
אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not
in circumst. clauses
with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …
with prefixes
base
H369 אַ֫יִן, אָ֑֫יִן cstr. אֵין subst. prop. nothing, nought . to nothing, as nothing
. cstr. אֵין, very freq. as particle of negation, is not, are not, was not, were not
. אֵין לְ׳, with subst., or pron., there is (was) not to … = … have, has, had, etc. not
. in circumst. clauses
. with inf. and ל׳, it is not to …
. with prefixes
369 'ayin ah'-yin
as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not
exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative
particle:--else, except, fail, (father-)less, be gone,
in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,
thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable),
well-nigh, without. Compare 370.
see HEBREW for 0370
אַ֫יִן (a.yin) — nothing.
1) nothing, not, nought n
1a) nothing, nought neg
1b) not
1c) to have not (of possession) adv
1d) without w/prep
1e) for lack of
Prep | Part — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
אֶ֫לֶף (eleph) refers to cattle, specifically in the plural form, encompassing oxen and cows. It is associated with farming and possession, indicating a family of livestock. The word is derived from a root meaning to yoke or tame, linking it to domesticated animals.
[אֶ֫לֶף] n.m. only pl. cattle
base
H504 [אֶ֫לֶף] only pl. cattle
504 'eleph eh'-lef
from 502; a family; also (from the sense of yoking or taming)
an ox or cow:--family, kine, oxen.
see HEBREW for 0502
אֶ֫לֶף (e.leph) — cattle.
1) cattle, oxen
1a) in farming
1b) as a possession
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
kat'-'-l (behemah, "a dumb beast"; miqneh, "a possession" from qanah, "to acquire" (compare Arabic qana', "to acquire," and Greek kienos, "beast," and plural ktenea, "flocks," from ktaomai, "to acquire," flocks being both with the Homeric peoples and with the patriarchs an important form of property; compare English "fee"); tso'n "small cattle," "sheep" or goats (compare Arabic da'n, "sheep"); seh, a single sheep or goat (compare Arabic shah); mela'khah, "property," from la'akh, "to minister" (compare Arabic malakah and mulk, "property," from malak, "to possess"); meri' "fatling" (1Ki 19); thremma (Joh 4:12), "cattle," i.e. "that which is nourished," from trepho, "to nourish"; baqar, "kine," "oxen" (compare Arabic baqar, "cattle"); shor, tor (Da 4:25), tauros (
Cattle
Abounded in the Holy Land. To the rearing and management of them the inhabitants chiefly devoted themselves (Deut. 8:13; 12:21; 1 Sam. 11:5; 12:3; Ps. 144:14; Jer. 3:24). They may be classified as,
(1.) Neat cattle. Many hundreds of these were yearly consumed in sacrifices or used for food. The finest herds were found in Bashan, beyond Jordan (Num. 32:4). Large herds also pastured on the wide fertile plains of Sharon. They were yoked to the plough (1 Kings 19:19), and were employed for carrying burdens (1 Chr.…
[BULL, BULLOCK].
אֵבוּס (ebuwc) refers to a crib or feeding trough, indicating a place where animals are fed. The word is derived from another Hebrew term, noted as H75, but the specific meaning remains consistent across entries.
אֵבוּס n.m. crib (= feeding-trough)
base
H18 אֵבוּס crib (= feeding-trough)
18 'ebuwc ay-booce'
from 75; a manger or stall:--crib.
see HEBREW for 075
אֵבוּס (e.vus) — crib.
crib, manger, feeding trough
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
trof.
See SHEEP TENDING; BREAD.
בַּר (bar) means pure or clean, and can also imply clarity or emptiness. It is an adjective that describes something as sincere or untainted. The word is derived from a root that suggests beloved or choice qualities, indicating a range of meanings from purity to clarity.
בַּר adj. pure, clean
pure, clear
clean
perh. adv. kiss purely, of sincere homage
base
H1249 בַּר pure, clean
1249 bar bar
from 1305 (in its various senses); beloved; also pure,
empty:--choice, clean, clear, pure.
see HEBREW for 01305
בַּר (bar) — pure.
adj
1) pure, clear, sincere
2) clean, empty
adv
3) purely
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
klen (Anglo-Saxon cloene, "clear," "pure"): Rendering four Hebrew roots: bar, etc., "purify," "select," "make shining"; zakh, etc., "bright," "clean" "pure"; naqi, "free from," "exempt"; Taher, "clean," "pure," "empty," "bright" (?) the principal root, rendered "clean" 80 times (the King James Version); occurring in all its forms in various renderings about 200 times; also one Greek root, katharos, etc., akin to castus, "chaste," "free from admixture or adhesion of anything that soils, adulterates, corrupts" (Thayer's Lexicon). The physical, ritual, ethical, spiritual, figurative uses continually overlap, especially the last four.
1. Physical:
The physical use is infrequent: "Wash .... with snow water, and make my hands never so clean" (zakhakh, Job 9:30; figurative also); "clean provender" (hamits, the Revised Version (British and…
Clean
The various forms of uncleanness according to the Mosaic law are enumerated in Lev. 11-15; Num. 19. The division of animals into clean and unclean was probably founded on the practice of sacrifice. It existed before the Flood (Gen. 7:2). The regulations regarding such animals are recorded in Lev. 11 and Deut. 14:1-21.
The Hebrews were prohibited from using as food certain animal substances, such as (1) blood; (2) the fat covering the intestines, termed the caul; (3) the fat on the intestines, called the mesentery; (4) the fat of the kidneys; and (5) the fat tail of certain sheep (Ex. 29:13, 22; Lev. 3:4-9; 9:19; 17:10; 19:26).
רֹב (rov) refers to a multitude or abundance, encompassing ideas of greatness and numerousness. It is derived from a related root and can describe anything from a large quantity to excellence. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, emphasizing its broad application in the Old Testament.
רֹב 151 n.m. multitude, abundance, greatness
base
H7230 רֹב multitude, abundance, greatness
7230 rob robe
from 7231; abundance (in any respect):--abundance(- antly),
all, X common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number),
huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much,
multitude, plenty(-ifully), X very (age).
see HEBREW for 07231
רֹב (rov) — abundance.
1) multitude, abundance, greatness
1a) multitude
1a1) abundance, abundantly
1a2) numerous
1b) greatness
Conj | N-cs — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
תְּבוּאָה (tbuw'ah) refers to produce or revenue, typically from the earth, including crops and income. It can also figuratively denote gains, such as wisdom or the product of lips. The word is derived from a root meaning to bring forth, and its usage spans both literal and figurative contexts.
תְּבוּאָה n.f. proventus, product, revenue
product, yield, usually of earth
income, revenue, in general
fig. gain of wisdom
base
H8393 תְּבוּאָה proventus, product, revenue
8393 tbuw'ah teb-oo-aw'
from 935; income, i.e. produce (literally or
figuratively):--fruit, gain, increase, revenue.
see HEBREW for 0935
תְּבוּאָה (te.vu.ah) — produce.
1) produce, product, revenue
1a) product, yield, crops (of the earth usually)
1b) income, revenue
1c) gain (of wisdom) (fig)
1d) product of lips (fig)
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
כֹּחַ (koach) refers to both a small reptile, likely a type of lizard, and the concepts of strength and power. The entries highlight its use in contexts of human and divine strength, as well as its association with wealth and capacity. Notably, it appears in Leviticus 11:30 regarding unclean animals.
כֹּחַ n.[m.] a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lv 11:30; chameleon
ref
כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ n.m. strength, power
base
H3581a כֹּחַ a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things; chameleon H3581b כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ strength, power
3581 koach ko'-akh
or (Dan. 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}; from an unused root meaning
to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense)
or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its
hardiness) a large lizard: -ability, able, chameleon, force,
fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.
כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — reptile.
1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean
1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — strength.
1) strength, power, might
1a) human strength
1b) strength (of angels)
1c) power (of God)
1d) strength (of animals)
1e) strength, produce, wealth (of soil)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
שׁוֹר (shor) refers to a head of cattle, specifically a bullock or ox, and is associated with agricultural and sacrificial contexts. It is derived from the root meaning to travel, indicating its role in farming and food. The term appears in various forms and usages, including in Aramaic.
שׁוֹר 78 n.m. a head of cattle, bullock, ox, etc.
base
H7794 שׁוֹר a head of cattle, bullock, ox, etc.
7794 showr shore
from 7788; a bullock (as a traveller):--bull(-ock), cow, ox,
wall (by mistake for 7791).
see HEBREW for 07788
see HEBREW for 07791
שׁוֹר (shor) — cattle.
1) ox, bull, a head of cattle
1a) for plowing, for food, as sacrifice
Aramaic equivalent: tor (תּוֹר "bullock" H8450)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Ox
Heb. bakar, “cattle;” “neat cattle”, (Gen. 12:16; 34:28; Job 1:3, 14; 42:12, etc.); not to be muzzled when treading the corn (Deut. 25:4). Referred to by our Lord in his reproof to the Pharisees (Luke 13:15; 14:5).
There was no animal in the rural economy of the Israelites, or indeed in that of the ancient Orientals generally, that was held in higher esteem than the ox and deservedly so, for the ox was the animal upon whose patient labors depended all the ordinary operations of farming. Oxen were used for ploughing, (22:10; 1 Samuel 14:14) etc.; for treading out corn, (25:4; Hosea 10:11) etc.; for draught purposes, when they were generally yoked in pairs, (Numbers 7:3; 1 Samuel 6:7) etc.; as beasts of burden, (1 Chronicles 12:40) their flesh was eaten, (14:4; 1 Kings 1:9) etc.…
The male of the beeve kind when grown, synonymous in the Bible with BULL; a clean animal, by the Levitical law; much used for food, 1Ki 19:21, and constituting no small part of the wealth of the Hebrews in their pastoral life, Ge 24:35 Job 1:14 42:12. Oxen were used in agriculture for ploughing, 1Ki 19:19; and for treading out the grain, during which they were not to be muzzled, 1Co 9:9, but well fed, Isa 30:24. The testing of a new yoke of oxen is still a business of great importance in the East, as of old, Lu…
→ See BULLOCK
→ See CATTLE