Animals of the Bible · Hills · Wild
The Wild Ox
The Wild Ox — a wonderful creature of Scripture and of the Bible world
Discovered in your collection
- Key verse
- Deuteronomy 14:5
- Where it lived
- The “hills” habitat in the Bible lands: the valleys and hills of the Holy Land
- What it reminds us of
- The Wild Ox in Scripture
Stories from Scripture
The Wild Ox in the stories of the Bible
People of faith
The Wild Ox in Scripture
The wild ox is listed among the clean animals that the people of Israel could eat, a sign of the richness of creation and of the order God gave for daily life. (Some Bibles call this animal an “antelope.”)
Deuteronomy 14:5The prophets and the wise
What the Bible teaches about the wild ox
“Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net.” The prophet Isaiah shows that without God’s help, even the swiftest and strongest person becomes helpless.
Isaiah 51:20
Wonders of Creation
Did you know?
The wild ox, or antelope, lived on the hills and steppes of the ancient East, and it was famous for its amazing speed and agility on rocky ground.
In Bible times, the wild ox was part of the everyday scenery of the lands of the ancient East.
Every feature of this creature shows the order and care of the Creator for all the living things on earth.
From the Holy Scriptures
What do we read in the Bible about the wild ox?
5 The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.
20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.
Verses are quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Read each passage in the context of its chapter in the Bible.
What the wild ox teaches us
The Wild Ox in Scripture
The wild ox appears as a clean animal in the law of Moses and as a picture of helplessness in Isaiah 51:20. The Bible teaches us that human agility and strength cannot save us on their own: real protection comes only from God.
How we can live this out today
Look at nature and thank God for the care He gives to every creature, big or small!
Mini-Quiz
What did you learn about the wild ox?
In which book of the Bible do we find references to the wild ox?
For parents and children
At home and in Sunday school
A question for parents and children
What can we learn from the way God takes care of the animals in nature? How does the Bible show us His love for us?
“Lord, thank You for the wonderful world You made and for Your care every day. Teach me to love Your creation and to follow You with a thankful heart! Amen.”