ταῦρος
taûros
G5022 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Male bovine, typically full-grown and uncastrated (bull). In classical, Hellenistic, and biblical Greek, designates a male animal of the species Bos (cattle), especially as used in agricultural, religious, or sacrificial contexts. Semantic range includes the bull as an animal, sacrificial victim, or symbol of strength and fertility.
Semantic Range
adult male bovine, bull used for sacrifice, symbol of strength, agricultural draft animal
Root / Etymology
Related to the root ταυρ-; possibly of pre-Greek, Indo-European origin. Some connect to the Semitic תּוֹר (tor), Aramaic תּוּרָא (tura), both meaning 'bull' or 'ox' in the respective languages. The word is attested widely across ancient Greek dialects.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ταῦρος referred to an adult male bovine, whether domesticated (ox, bull) or encountered in the wild. In mythological and symbolic contexts, the bull was often linked to strength, fertility, Zeus (in the story of Europa), and certain cultic rituals. In the Septuagint (LXX), ταῦρος is frequently used to translate Hebrew שׁוֹר (shor), designating sacrificial animals in Israelite practice. In the New Testament, its use is rare and generally refers to large, domesticated cattle prepared for food or ritual purposes. English translations often render ταῦρος as 'bull' or 'ox;' however, care should be taken, as 'ox' in English can also refer to castrated males or even cows, while ταῦρος specifies an uncastrated male. Not to be conflated with μόσχος (moschos, 'calf' or 'young bull'), which refers to a younger animal, or βοῦς (bous, 'ox' or general 'cattle'), which is a broader, generic term. The borrowing from Semitic languages suggests ancient Near Eastern influence or contact in naming the animal.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently a primary word (compare תּוֹר, "steer"); a bullock:--bull, ox.
Root Family
ταῦρος (tauros) — bull, male bovine
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5022-02 |
ταύρων | tauron | N GEN M PL |
of bulls | of bulls | of bulls | 2 |
G5022-03 |
ταύρους | taurous | N ACC M PL |
oxen | bulls | bulls | 1 |
G5022-01 |
ταῦροί | tauroi | N NOM M PL |
oxen | bulls | bulls | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5022-01 |
Matthew 22:4 | ταῦροί | tauroi | N NOM M PL |
oxen | bulls | bulls |
G5022-03 |
Acts 14:13 | ταύρους | taurous | N ACC M PL |
oxen | bulls | bulls |
G5022-02 |
Hebrews 9:13 | ταύρων | tauron | N GEN M PL |
of bulls | of bulls | of bulls |
G5022-02 |
Hebrews 10:4 | ταύρων | tauron | N GEN M PL |
of bulls | of bulls | of bulls |