Lexical Summary tauros: Bull, Ox Original Word: ταῦρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bull, ox. Apparently a primary word (compare towr, "steer"); a bullock -- bull, ox. see HEBREW towr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a bull NASB Translation bulls (2), oxen (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5022: ταῦροςταῦρος, ταύρου, ὁ (from the root meaning 'thick', 'stout'; allied with σταυρός, which see; cf. Vanicek, p. 1127; Fick Part i., p. 246. Cf. English steer), from Homer down, the Sept. for שׁור, a bull (ox): Matthew 22:4; Acts 14:13; Hebrews 9:13; Hebrews 10:4. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Symbolic ResonanceThe term refers to the male bovine, an animal renowned in the ancient Near East for strength, fertility, and economic value. These qualities made bulls especially suitable both for costly offerings to the true God and for spectacular displays in pagan cults. Scripture therefore uses the bull to illustrate costly devotion, covenantal substitution, and—when misdirected—human idolatry. Old Testament Background 1. Foundational sacrifices 2. Costliness and substitution Bulls represented the most valuable category of herd animals (Numbers 7; 2 Samuel 24:24), and their blood dramatized the gravity of sin as well as the lavish grace of God in providing atonement. 3. Symbol of power and danger Poetic texts employ bulls to portray fierce opposition to the righteous (Psalm 22:12; Amos 4:1). Their strength thus becomes a metaphor either for God-given vigor or for hostile forces that must be overcome. New Testament Usage Matthew 22:4 presents bulls as part of the king’s bountiful wedding banquet: “I have prepared my banquet; my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.” The lavish preparation mirrors the Father’s generous invitation to the kingdom and anticipates the costly sacrifice of His Son, which alone secures the feast. Acts 14:13 records pagan zeal at Lystra: “The priest of Zeus... brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.” Here the bull epitomizes misguided worship. The apostles redirect the crowd from created strength to the living God who “made the heaven and the earth” (Acts 14:15). Hebrews 9:13-14 contrasts Levitical efficacy with Christ’s work: “For if the blood of goats and bulls... sanctify them so that their bodies are cleansed, how much more will the blood of Christ... cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God!” Hebrews 10:4 concludes the argument: “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Together these verses affirm that the old sacrifices were never ends in themselves but anticipatory shadows fulfilled in the once-for-all offering of Jesus Messiah. Theological Significance 1. Shadow and substance Bulls under the Law were temporary, repetitive, and external; the cross is singular, sufficient, and internal. The costly animal foreshadowed the infinitely valuable Son. 2. Holiness and access The bull’s blood allowed a sinful people to draw near without being consumed by divine holiness. Christ’s blood grants permanent, fearless access (Hebrews 10:19-22). 3. Idolatry exposed Acts 14 and the golden calf account (Exodus 32) reveal humanity’s tendency to exchange the glory of God for images of power. The gospel redirects worship from the creature to the Creator. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Preaching: Use the imagery of the bull to highlight the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of Christ’s atonement. Conclusion Throughout Scripture the bull embodies both the highest expression of sacrificial devotion and the gravest potential for idolatry. By tracing its trajectory—from Levitical altar to pagan temple to the epistle to the Hebrews—the reader sees the wisdom of God in unfolding redemption. The once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ supersedes every bull ever offered, securing eternal salvation and inviting all to the royal banquet of the King. Forms and Transliterations ταυροι ταύροι ταύροί ταῦροί ταύρον ταύρος ταύρου ταυρους ταύρους ταυρων ταύρων tauroi taûroí tauron taurōn taúron taúrōn taurous taúrousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 22:4 N-NMPGRK: ἡτοίμακα οἱ ταῦροί μου καὶ NAS: my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock KJV: dinner: my oxen and [my] fatlings INT: I prepared the oxen of me and Acts 14:13 N-AMP Hebrews 9:13 N-GMP Hebrews 10:4 N-GMP Strong's Greek 5022 |
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