Thou shall not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out [the
corn].
] As oxen are used in ploughing, so likewise in treading or
beating out the corn; of the manner of which, (See Gill on
1 Corinthians 9:9); now while it was thus employed, it
might not be restrained by any means from eating the corn as it
had an opportunity, either by a muzzle put over its mouth, or
other ways. The Gentiles had several ways of restraining their
cattle from eating, while they thus made use of them, to which
this law is opposed. Maimonides F6 has collected several or them
together, as prohibited by it; as putting a thorn into its mouth,
causing a lion to lie down by it, or causing its calf to lie down
without, or spreading a skin on the top of the corn, that so it
may not eat. Aelianus F7 relates a very particular way of
hindering oxen from eating at such times, used some countries,
which was this; that oxen might not eat of the ears of corn, in a
floor where they were trod out, they used to besmear their
nostrils with cows' dung, which was so disagreeable to the
creature, that it would not taste anything though pressed with
famine. This law is not to be limited to the ox only, or to this
peculiar work assigned it; but, as Jarchi says, respects any sort
of cattle, and whatsoever work that has food in it, none of them
being to be restrained from eating while at work: and this law
was not made for the creatures only, but for men also; and
especially for the sake of ministers of the word; who for their
strength, labour, and industry, are compared to oxen, and ought
to be comfortably supported and maintained on account of their
work; for the illustration and confirmation of which this passage
is twice produced, (See Gill on
1 Corinthians 9:9); (See Gill on
1 Corinthians 9:10); (See Gill on
1 Timothy 5:17); (See Gill on
1 Timothy 5:18).