Domestic animals, cattle, livestock, animal, living being

Discussion

These words refer to all kinds of livestock viewed as possessions or “living riches". Although they are translated as “cattle” in some versions they are used in these versions with an archaic more general meaning equivalent to “domestic animals” or “livestock". The meaning includes cattle sheep goats camels and donkeys or in other words any animals kept in large numbers for both domestic and commercial purposes.

Special significance or symbolism

In the time of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob livestock were a measure of a man’s wealth. A person who owned many livestock was considered “well off.” Conversely a person without livestock was a man without status.

Translation

The best equivalent is an inclusive expression covering all kinds of livestock animals.

Scripture References (79)