תּוֹר (tor)
tor
bullock
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The word tor refers to a bull or young ox, specifically one used for sacrifice. It is an Aramaic term found in the books of Ezra and Daniel, where it serves as the equivalent of the Hebrew shor. In these texts, the animal represents significant value and is central to the religious rituals described.
Its usage highlights the formal nature of worship in the Persian period. When leaders or kings order offerings of tor, they are providing substantial resources for temple services. The word underscores the seriousness of covenant obligations and the cost involved in maintaining proper worship practices during this historical era.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Ezra and Daniel, this Aramaic word for a young bull appears during a time when God’s people were rebuilding their community in a foreign land. The text shows kings and leaders providing these animals for burnt offerings, highlighting the significant cost of worship. It reminds us that honoring God often requires giving up valuable resources, reflecting a serious commitment to covenant obligations.
This practice underscores the formal nature of worship in the Persian period. When leaders ordered these substantial offerings, they were ensuring that temple services continued properly. This historical detail helps us appreciate the depth of devotion required to maintain proper worship practices during challenging times.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bulls3×
- like/ oxen1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תוֹרִ֣ין1×
- תּוֹרִ֤ין\׀1×
- תּוֹרִ֣ין1×
- כְ/תוֹרִין֙1×
Key Verses
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Ezra 6:9
That which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail,
This verse specifies that young bulls must be provided day by day for burnt offerings, showing the ongoing cost of maintaining temple worship.
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Ezra 7:17
Therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
Here the king instructs the use of silver to purchase bulls and other sacrifices, demonstrating royal support for religious duties in Jerusalem.
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Daniel 5:21
He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.
This passage contrasts human pride with animal-like existence, using the imagery of an ox to describe Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word tor mean in the Bible?
Why is tor important in Ezra and Daniel?
How is tor different from other words for ox?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 3 verses
That which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also…
Ezra 6:17They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a…
Ezra 7:17Therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs with their meal offerings and their…