And it shall please Jehovah better than an ox,

(Or) a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

The Massoretic accentuation makes one clause of the verse, reading it better than an ox-bullock: but the division of the clauses adopted by R.V. is preferable. The epithets are not merely ornamental: the horns shew that the animal is of full age; the hoofs allude to the definition of -clean" animals in Leviticus 11:3 ff. But spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving are more acceptable than the most perfect animal victim. Cp. Psalms 50, 51.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising