Oxen

OK, Grove, Headstone Symbols and Meanings, Oxen

OXEN - Represent patience and enduring strength.

KJV Proverbs 14:4 - Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

There was no animal in the rural economy of the Israelites, or indeed in that of the ancient Orientals generally, that was held in higher esteem than the ox and deservedly so, for the ox was the animal upon whose patient labors depended all the ordinary operations of farming. Oxen were used for ploughing, treading out corn, for draught purposes, when they were generally yoked in pairs as beasts of burden, they were used in the sacrifices; cows supplied milk, butter, etc.  Connected with the importance of oxen in the rural economy of the Jews is the strict code of laws which was mercifully enacted by God for their protection and preservation. The ox that threshed the corn was by no means to be muzzled; he was to enjoy rest on the Sabbath as well as his master.