Cattle
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abounded in the Holy Land. To the rearing and management of them the inhabitants chiefly devoted themselves ( Deuteronomy 8:13 ; 12:21 ; 1 Samuel 11:5 ; 12:3 ; Psalms 144:14 ; Jeremiah 3:24 ). They may be classified as,
According to the Mosaic law, the mouths of cattle employed for the threshing-floor were not to be muzzled, so as to prevent them from eating of the provender over which they trampled ( Deuteronomy 25:4 ). Whosoever stole and sold or slaughtered an ox must give five in satisfaction ( Exodus 22:1 ); but if it was found alive in the possession of him who stole it, he was required to make double restitution only ( 22:4 ). If an ox went astray, whoever found it was required to bring it back to its owner ( 23:4 ; Deuteronomy 22:1 Deuteronomy 22:4 ). An ox and an ass could not be yoked together in the plough ( Deuteronomy 22:10 ).
Goats also formed a part of the pastoral wealth of Palestine ( Genesis 15:9 ; 32:14 ; 37:31 ). They were used both for sacrifice and for food ( Deuteronomy 14:4 ), especially the young males ( Genesis 27:9 Genesis 27:14 Genesis 27:17 ; Judges 6:19 ; 13:15 ; 1 Samuel 16:20 ). Goat's hair was used for making tent cloth ( Exodus 26:7 ; 36:14 ), and for mattresses and bedding ( 1 Samuel 19:13 1 Samuel 19:16 ). (See GOAT .)
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
[N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
[S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. "Entry for Cattle". "Easton's Bible Dictionary".