CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 25:4 Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/25-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/05_Deu_25_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 25:4 - Fairness and Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/25-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/25-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/25.htm">Chapter 25</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-3.htm" title="Deuteronomy 25:3">◄</a> Deuteronomy 25:4 <a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm" title="Deuteronomy 25:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/25.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out <i>the corn</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out <i>the grain.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing [to prevent him from eating any of the grain].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't muzzle an ox while it is threshing grain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never muzzle an ox when it's threshing grain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Don't muzzle an ox while it is threshing grain."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not muzzle your ox when it is treading grain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not muzzle an ox in its threshing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Thou dost not muzzle an ox in its threshing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not muzzle the ox treading.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out thy corn on the floor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not muzzle an ox as it is treading out your crops in the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out grain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You shall not muzzle the ox in treading.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=6704" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/25.htm">Fairness and Mercy</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>He may receive no more than forty lashes, lest your brother be beaten any more than that and be degraded in your sight. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2629.htm" title="2629: ṯaḥ·sōm (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To stop up, muzzle. A primitive root; to muzzle; by analogy, to stop the nose.">muzzle</a> <a href="/hebrew/7794.htm" title="7794: šō·wr (N-ms) -- A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etc.). From shuwr; a bullock.">an ox</a> <a href="/hebrew/1758.htm" title="1758: bə·ḏî·šōw (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- To tread, thresh. Or dowsh; or diysh; a primitive root; to trample or thresh.">while it is treading out the grain.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-9.htm">1 Corinthians 9:9</a></span><br />For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-18.htm">1 Timothy 5:18</a></span><br />For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Proverbs 12:10</a></span><br />A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/27-23.htm">Proverbs 27:23-27</a></span><br />Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; / for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. / When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm">1 Corinthians 9:7-14</a></span><br />Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk? / Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? / For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-7.htm">Luke 10:7</a></span><br />Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-10.htm">Matthew 10:10</a></span><br />Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-13.htm">Leviticus 19:13</a></span><br />You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Exodus 23:12</a></span><br />For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed, as well as the foreign resident.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a></span><br />God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15</a></span><br />Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-14.htm">Psalm 104:14</a></span><br />He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/147-9.htm">Psalm 147:9</a></span><br />He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/39-9.htm">Job 39:9-12</a></span><br />Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will he stay by your manger at night? / Can you hold him to the furrow with a harness? Will he plow the valleys behind you? / Can you rely on his great strength? Will you leave your hard work to him? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-24.htm">Isaiah 28:24-26</a></span><br />Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? / When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border. / For his God instructs and teaches him properly.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the corn.</p><p class="hdg">muzzle</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Proverbs 12:10</a></b></br> A righteous <i>man</i> regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked <i>are</i> cruel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/9-9.htm">1 Corinthians 9:9,10</a></b></br> For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/5-17.htm">1 Timothy 5:17,18</a></b></br> Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/23-25.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-1.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-18.htm">Muzzle</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-10.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-13.htm">Threshing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-24.htm">Treadeth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-5.htm">Treading</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-24.htm">Treads</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/28-51.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-6.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">Muzzle</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-31.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/judges/6-37.htm">Threshing</a> <a href="/joshua/1-3.htm">Treadeth</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/8-40.htm">Treading</a> <a href="/joshua/1-3.htm">Treads</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-1.htm">Punishment must not exceed forty lashes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">The ox is not to be muzzled</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Of raising seed unto a brother</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-11.htm">Of the immodest woman</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-13.htm">Of unjust weights and measures</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-17.htm">The memory of Amalek is to be blotted out</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not muzzle an ox</b><br>This command is part of the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites. It reflects God's concern for the humane treatment of animals, emphasizing compassion and fairness. The ox, a valuable asset in agrarian societies, was used for plowing and threshing. Muzzling an ox would prevent it from eating while working, which was considered unjust. This principle of kindness extends beyond animals, highlighting a broader ethic of care and respect for all of God's creation.<p><b>while it is treading out the grain.</b><br>Threshing was a common agricultural practice in ancient Israel, where oxen would walk over harvested grain to separate the kernels from the chaff. Allowing the ox to eat while working ensured it was well-fed and able to perform its duties effectively. This practice also symbolizes the principle of fair labor, where workers are entitled to benefit from their labor. The Apostle Paul references this verse in <a href="/1_corinthians/9-9.htm">1 Corinthians 9:9</a> and <a href="/1_timothy/5-18.htm">1 Timothy 5:18</a>, applying it to the rights of workers, particularly those in ministry, to receive material support. This connection underscores the timeless nature of God's laws, which advocate for justice and provision for all who labor.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>- The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>- The audience receiving the law, preparing to enter the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/o/ox.htm">Ox</a></b><br>- A domesticated animal used in agricultural work, specifically in grain processing.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>- The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are preparing to enter.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/agricultural_practices.htm">Agricultural Practices</a></b><br>- The context in which this law is given, reflecting the agrarian society of ancient Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/principle_of_fairness.htm">Principle of Fairness</a></b><br>This law underscores the importance of fairness and justice in labor practices. Just as the ox is allowed to eat while working, so should workers be fairly compensated for their efforts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_creation.htm">Respect for Creation</a></b><br>The command reflects a broader biblical ethic of caring for God's creation, including animals. It teaches us to respect and care for all living beings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_application.htm">Spiritual Application</a></b><br>Paul’s use of this verse in the New Testament shows its spiritual application: those who labor in spiritual fields, like ministry, should be supported by those who benefit from their work.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/work_and_reward.htm">Work and Reward</a></b><br>The principle that work should be rewarded is foundational to a biblical work ethic. It encourages diligence and integrity in both employers and employees.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>This law reminds us of our responsibility to ensure that our community's practices are just and compassionate, reflecting God's character.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_deut._25_4_fit_modern_farming.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4: How do we reconcile the command not to muzzle an ox with modern agricultural practices? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_proverbs_12_10_reflect_true_practice.htm">Proverbs 12:10 proclaims care for animals as a sign of righteousness—was this standard truly practiced in an era known for sacrifices and limited animal welfare regulations? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_1_cor_9_9_and_9_21_align.htm">In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul appeals to the Old Testament law (v.9) yet speaks of being under “Christ’s law” (v.21); how can skeptics be convinced there is no conflict between these two references?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_the_laborer_deserving_of_his_wages.htm">Is the laborer deserving of his wages?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - The leaving the ox unmuzzled when treading out the corn was in order that the animal might be free to eat of the grains which its labor severed from the husks. This prohibition, therefore, was dictated by a regard to the rights and claims of animals employed in labor; but there is involved in it the general principle that all labor is to be duly requited, and hence it seems to have passed into a proverb, and was applied to men as well as the lower animals (cf. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-9.htm">1 Corinthians 9:9</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/5-18.htm">1 Timothy 5:18</a>). The use of oxen to tread out the corn and the rule of leaving the animals so employed unmuzzled still prevail among the Arabs and other Eastern peoples (Robinson, 'Bib. Res.,' 2:206, 207; 3:6; Kitto, 'Bib. Cycl.,' 1:86). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">muzzle</span><br /><span class="heb">תַחְסֹ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(ṯaḥ·sōm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2629.htm">Strong's 2629: </a> </span><span class="str2">To muzzle, to stop the nose</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an ox</span><br /><span class="heb">שׁ֖וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(šō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7794.htm">Strong's 7794: </a> </span><span class="str2">A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">while it is treading out the grain.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּדִישֽׁוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḏî·šōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1758.htm">Strong's 1758: </a> </span><span class="str2">To trample, thresh</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">Deuteronomy 25:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/25-4.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 25:4 You shall not muzzle the ox when (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 25:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 25:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 25:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 25:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>