# ox, oxen #

## Definition: ##

An "ox" refers to a type of cattle that is specifically trained to do agricultural work. The plural of this term is "oxen." Usually oxen are male and have been castrated.

* Throughout the Bible, oxen are depicted as animals tied together by a yoke to pull a cart or a plow.
* Oxen working together under a yoke was such a common occurrence in the Bible that the phrase "to be under a yoke" became a metaphor for hard work and labor.
*  A bull is also a male type of cattle, but it has not been castrated and has not been trained as a work animal.

(See also: [cow](../other/cow.md), [yoke](../other/yoke.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [1 Samuel 15:1-3](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/1sa/15/01)
* [2 Chronicles 15:10-11](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/2ch/15/10)
* [Exodus 24:5-6](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/exo/24/05)
* [Luke 14:4-6](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/luk/14/04)
* [Matthew 22:4](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/mat/22/04)