Calf/Cattle

Calves are mentioned in the Bible as meat for special occasions. Usually only the wealthy could afford such special foods. In Jesus’s parable of the lost son, the father killed the calf that had been set aside in order to celebrate the return of his son.

Calves, like bulls, were also used as sacrifices to God. A perfect, unblemished red cow was used for an important ceremony described in Numbers 19.

The term cattle usually refers to larger animals such as oxen, donkeys, horses, and cows rather than sheep and goats. However, cattle can also refer to all domesticated animals. Because cattle were so important to the life of the Israelites, the law of Moses said they should be permitted to rest on the Sabbath just like people.

Cattle were considered part of the spoils of war. A conquering army often took the cattle of the people it had defeated.