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Text -- 1 Corinthians 9:9 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” God is not concerned here about oxen, is he?
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Moses a son of Amram; the Levite who led Israel out of Egypt and gave them The Law of Moses,a Levite who led Israel out of Egypt and gave them the law


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Threshing | TAKE | STIFF-NECKED | SCRIBES | Quotations and Allusions | PAULINE THEOLOGY | Muzzle | Minister | Labor | LAW IN THE NEW TESTAMENT | Evil | CARE; CAREFULNESS; CAREFUL | Bull | Animals | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey , Lapide

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: 1Co 9:9 - -- Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn ( ou phimōseis boun aloōnta ). Quotation from Deu 25:4. Prohibition by ou and the vo...

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn ( ou phimōseis boun aloōnta ).

Quotation from Deu 25:4. Prohibition by ou and the volitive future indicative. Phimoō , to muzzle (from phimos , a muzzle for dogs and oxen), appears first in Aristophanes ( Clouds , 592) and not again till lxx and N.T., though in the papyri also. Evidently a vernacular word, perhaps a slang word. See metaphorical use in Mat 22:12, Mat 22:34. Aloōnta is present active participle of the old verb aloaō , occurs in the N.T. only here (and 1Co 9:10) and 1Ti 5:18 where it is also quoted. It is probably derived from halos or halon , a threshing-floor, or the disc of a shield or of the sun and moon. The Egyptians according to the monuments, used oxen to thresh out the grain, sometimes donkeys, by pulling a drag over the grain. The same process may be found today in Andalusia, Italy, Palestine. A hieroglyphic inscription at Eileithyas reads:

Robertson: 1Co 9:9 - -- "Thresh ye yourselves, O oxen, Measures of grain for yourselves, Measures of grain for your masters." @@Note mē melei expects the negative answer,...

"Thresh ye yourselves, O oxen, Measures of grain for yourselves, Measures of grain for your masters." @@Note mē melei expects the negative answer, impersonal verb with dative and genitive cases (theoi , God, boōn , oxen). @@Altogether ( pantōs ).

But here probably with the notion of doubtless or assuredly. The editors differ in the verse divisions here. The Canterbury Version puts both these questions in 1Co 9:10, the American Standard the first in 1Co 9:9, the second in 1Co 9:10.

Vincent: 1Co 9:9 - -- Muzzle ( φιμώσεις ) See on Mat 22:12, Mat 22:34; see on Mar 4:39. Some texts read κημώσεις a muzzle , from κημός a...

Muzzle ( φιμώσεις )

See on Mat 22:12, Mat 22:34; see on Mar 4:39. Some texts read κημώσεις a muzzle , from κημός a muzzle See Deu 25:4.

Vincent: 1Co 9:9 - -- Ox - treadeth The custom of driving the oxen over the corn strewed on the ground or on a paved area, was an Egyptian one. In later times the Jews...

Ox - treadeth

The custom of driving the oxen over the corn strewed on the ground or on a paved area, was an Egyptian one. In later times the Jews used threshing instruments, dragged by the beasts through the grain Herodotus says that pigs were employed for this purpose in Egypt, but the monuments always represent oxen, or, more rarely, asses. In Andalusia the process may still be seen, the animals pulling the drag in a circle through the heap of grain; and in Italy, the method of treading out by horses was in use up to a comparatively recent date.

The verb ἀλοάω to tread , occurring only here, Deu 25:10, and 1Ti 5:18, is etymologically related to ἅλων halon, threshing-floor (see on Mat 3:12), which also means the disk of the sun or moon, or a halo , thus implying the circular shape of the floor. Dr. Thomson says: " The command of Moses not to muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn is literally obeyed to this day by most farmers, and you often see the oxen eating from the floor as they go round. There are niggardly peasants, however, who do muzzle the ox" (" The Land and the Book" ). This custom was in strong contrast with that of Gentile farmers, who treated their laboring animals cruelly, sometimes employing inhuman methods to prevent them from eating while threshing. All students of the Egyptian monuments are familiar with the hieroglyphic inscription in a tomb at Eileithyas, one of the oldest written poems extant:

" Thresh ye for yourselves,

Thresh ye for yourselves,

Thresh ye for yourselves, O oxen.

Measures of grain for yourselves,

Measures of grain for your masters."

Vincent: 1Co 9:9 - -- Doth God take care for oxen? The A.V. misses the true point of the expression. Paul, of course, assumes that God cares for the brute creation; bu...

Doth God take care for oxen?

The A.V. misses the true point of the expression. Paul, of course, assumes that God cares for the brute creation; but he means that this precept of Moses was not primarily for the oxen's sake but for man's sake. He is emphasizing the typical and spiritual meaning of the command. Render, as Rev., Is it for the oxen that God careth?

Wesley: 1Co 9:9 - -- In this direction.

In this direction.

Wesley: 1Co 9:9 - -- Only? Hath he not a farther meaning? And so undoubtedly he hath in all the other Mosaic laws of this kind.

Only? Hath he not a farther meaning? And so undoubtedly he hath in all the other Mosaic laws of this kind.

JFB: 1Co 9:9 - -- (Deu 25:4). In the East to the present day they do not after reaping carry the sheaves home to barns as we do, but take them to an area under the ope...

(Deu 25:4). In the East to the present day they do not after reaping carry the sheaves home to barns as we do, but take them to an area under the open air to be threshed by the oxen treading them with their feet, or else drawing a threshing instrument over them (compare Mic 4:13).

JFB: 1Co 9:9 - -- Rather, "Is it for the oxen that God careth?" Is the animal the ultimate object for whose sake this law was given? No. God does care for the lower ani...

Rather, "Is it for the oxen that God careth?" Is the animal the ultimate object for whose sake this law was given? No. God does care for the lower animal (Psa 36:6; Mat 10:29), but it is with the ultimate aim of the welfare of man, the head of animal creation. In the humane consideration shown for the lower animal, we are to learn that still more ought it to be exercised in the case of man, the ultimate object of the law; and that the human (spiritual as well as temporal) laborer is worthy of his hire.

Clarke: 1Co 9:9 - -- Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox - See this largely explained in the note on Deu 25:4 (note)

Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox - See this largely explained in the note on Deu 25:4 (note)

Clarke: 1Co 9:9 - -- Doth God take care for oxen? - This question is to be understood thus: Is it likely that God should be solicitous for the comfort of oxen, and be re...

Doth God take care for oxen? - This question is to be understood thus: Is it likely that God should be solicitous for the comfort of oxen, and be regardless of the welfare of man? In this Divine precept the kindness and providential care of God are very forcibly pointed out. He takes care of oxen; he wills them all that happiness of which their nature is susceptible; and can we suppose that he is unwilling that the human soul shall have that happiness which is suited to its spiritual and eternal nature? He could not reprobate an ox, because the Lord careth for oxen; and surely he cannot reprobate a man. It may be said the man has sinned but the ox cannot. I answer: The decree of reprobation is supposed to be from all eternity; and certainly a man can no more sin before he exists, than an ox can when he exists.

Defender: 1Co 9:9 - -- This passage is quoted from Deu 25:4. See also 1Ti 5:18. Paul stressed that, even though he had a right to marry, he chose not to for the gospel's sak...

This passage is quoted from Deu 25:4. See also 1Ti 5:18. Paul stressed that, even though he had a right to marry, he chose not to for the gospel's sake. Similarly, he and others who preach the gospel had the right to be supported by those who had profited thereby (1Co 9:14), but he chose not to, in order not to be a stumbling block to those who needed it (1Co 9:15)."

TSK: 1Co 9:9 - -- Thou : Deu 25:4; 1Ti 5:18 Doth : Num 22:28-35; Deu 5:14; Psa 104:27, Psa 145:15, Psa 145:16, Psa 147:8, Psa 147:9; Jon 4:11; Mat 6:26-30; Luk 12:24-28

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 1Co 9:9 - -- For it is written - Deu 25:4. In the law of Moses - See the note at Luk 24:44. Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth ... - To muzzle mean...

For it is written - Deu 25:4.

In the law of Moses - See the note at Luk 24:44.

Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth ... - To muzzle means, "to bind the mouth; to fasten the mouth to prevent eating or biting"- Webster. This was done either by passing straps around the mouth, or by placing, as is now sometimes done, a small "basket"over the mouth, fastened by straps to the horns of the animal, so as to prevent its eating, but not to impede its breathing freely. This was an instance of the humanity of the laws of Moses. The idea is, that the ox should not be prevented from eating when it was in the midst of food; and that as it labored for its owner, it was entitled to support; and there was a propriety that it should be permitted to partake of the grain which it was threshing.

That treadeth ... - This was one of the common modes of threshing in the east, as it is with us; see the note and illustration on Mat 3:12.

The corn - The "grain,"of any kind; wheat, rye, barley, etc. Maize, to which we apply the word "corn,"was then unknown; see the note at Mat 12:1.

Doth God take care for oxen? - Doth God take care for oxen only? Or is not this rather "a principle"which shows God’ s care for all that labor, and the humanity and equity of his laws? And if he is so solicitous about the welfare of brutes as to frame an express law in their behalf, is it not to be presumed that the same "principle"of humanity and equity will run through all his dealings and requirements? The apostle does not mean to deny that God does take care for oxen, for the very law was proof that he did; but he means to ask whether it is to be supposed that God would regard the comfort of oxen and not of people also? Whether we are not to suppose that the same principle would apply also to those who labor in the service of God? He uses this passage, therefore, not as originally having reference to people, or to ministers of the gospel, which cannot be; but as establishing a general "principle"in regard to the equity and humanity of the divine laws; and as thus showing that the spirit of the law of God would lead to the conclusion that God intended that the laborer everywhere should have a competent support.

Poole: 1Co 9:9 - -- Art being not so improved formerly as now, nor in all places as in some places; they were wont anciently, both in the land of Judea, and since in Gr...

Art being not so improved formerly as now, nor in all places as in some places; they were wont anciently, both in the land of Judea, and since in Greece, and (as is said) at this day in some places of France, to tread out their corn by the feet of oxen: and by the law of Moses, Deu 25:4 , it should seem that some too covetous persons would muzzle the mouths of their oxen, that while they trod out the corn, they might eat none of it; which God, looking upon as an act of cruelty or unmercifulness, forbade his ancient people the Jews. Now, saith the apostle:

Doth God take care for oxen? That is, more for oxen than for ministers or men? For God doth take care for oxen, he preserveth both man and beast; he takes care, as our Saviour elsewhere teacheth us, for the sparrows, for the fowls of the air, for the grass of the field, and therefore for oxen, which are a degree of creatures more noble: but by the same reason we must conclude, that he taketh a greater care for men, especially such as he employeth in his more immediate service.

Gill: 1Co 9:9 - -- For it is written in the law of Moses,.... Deu 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. The manner of threshing, ...

For it is written in the law of Moses,.... Deu 25:4

Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. The manner of threshing, or beating out the corn among the Jews, was not the same with ours; it was not done by the flail, at least not always, but by the means of oxen; and by these not only treading upon it to and fro, but drawing a wooden instrument after them, the bottom of which was stuck with iron teeth, and the top of it filled with stones, to press it down close by the weight thereof; the sheaves put in proper form, the oxen were led to and fro upon them, drawing this threshing instrument after them, by which means the grain was separated from the husk and ear g; see Isa 41:15 The learned Beckius h has given us a figure of this instrument, and the manner of using it: now according to this law, whilst the ox was thus employed, its mouth was not to be muzzled, but it might freely eat of the corn it trod upon, excepting, the Jews say i, what was dedicated to sacred uses. They give many rules relating to this law, and particularly observe, that it is to be extended to all sorts of creatures, as well as the ox, and to all sorts of business k; and that what is said of the ox, is much more to be observed with respect to men l; and which agrees with the apostle's reasoning here:

doth God take care for oxen? yes, he does, and for creatures of less importance than they, even the fowls of the air, and the most worthless of them, sparrows, two of which are sold for a farthing; but not for them only, nor principally, but chiefly for men.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 1Co 9:9 A quotation from Deut 25:4.

Geneva Bible: 1Co 9:9 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 ( i ) oxen? ( i )...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 1Co 9:1-27 - --1 He shows his liberty;7 and that the minister ought to live by the Gospel;15 yet that himself has of his own accord abstained,18 to be either chargea...

MHCC: 1Co 9:1-14 - --It is not new for a minister to meet with unkind returns for good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services among them. To the cavils of ...

Matthew Henry: 1Co 9:3-14 - -- Having asserted his apostolical authority, he proceeds to claim the rights belonging to his office, especially that of being maintained by it. I. Th...

Barclay: 1Co 9:1-14 - --At first sight this chapter seems quite disconnected from what goes before but in fact it is not. The whole point lies in this--the Corinthians who c...

Constable: 1Co 7:1--16:13 - --III. Questions asked of Paul 7:1--16:12 The remainder of the body of this epistle deals with questions the Corin...

Constable: 1Co 8:1--11:2 - --B. Food offered to idols 8:1-11:1 The Corinthians had asked Paul another question, evidently in a combat...

Constable: 1Co 9:1-27 - --2. Paul's apostolic defense ch. 9 The absence of the key phrase "now concerning" is the clue tha...

Constable: 1Co 9:3-14 - --Apostolic rights 9:3-14 The issue of Paul's right to their material support underlies this whole pericope. "Philosophers and wandering missionaries in...

College: 1Co 9:1-27 - --1 CORINTHIANS 9 B. THE RIGHTS OF AN APOSTLE (9:1-27) 1. Paul's Rights as Apostle (9:1-6) 1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesu...

McGarvey: 1Co 9:9 - --For it is written in the law of Moses [Deu 25:4], Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn . [Grain in the East has never been thres...

Lapide: 1Co 9:1-27 - --CHAPTER 9 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He proceeds to show by his own example how offences are to be avoided, and he says that he had refused to accep...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) First Corinthians From Ephesus a.d. 54 Or 55 By Way of Introduction It would be a hard-boiled critic today who would dare deny the genuineness o...

JFB: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The AUTHENTICITY of this Epistle is attested by CLEMENT OF ROME [First Epistle to the Corinthians, 47], POLYCARP [Epistle to the Philippians, 11], and...

JFB: 1 Corinthians (Outline) THE INSCRIPTION; THANKSGIVING FOR THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH; REPROOF OF PARTY DIVISIONS: HIS OWN METHOD OF PREACHING ONLY CHRIST. ...

TSK: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) Overview 1Co 9:1, He shows his liberty; 1Co 9:7, and that the minister ought to live by the Gospel; 1Co 9:15, yet that himself has of his own acco...

Poole: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 9

MHCC: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The Corinthian church contained some Jews, but more Gentiles, and the apostle had to contend with the superstition of the one, and the sinful conduct ...

MHCC: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) (1Co 9:1-14) The apostle shows his authority, and asserts his right to be maintained. (1Co 9:15-23) He waved this part of his Christian liberty, for ...

Matthew Henry: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians Corinth was a principal city of Greece, in that partic...

Matthew Henry: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter the apostle seems to answer some cavils against himself. I. He asserts his apostolical mission and authority, and gives in his suc...

Barclay: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) The Unclaimed Privileges (1Co_9:1-14) The Privilege And The Task (1Co_9:15-23) A Real Fight (1Co_9:24-27)

Constable: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical Background Corinth had a long history stretching back into the...

Constable: 1 Corinthians (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-9 A. Salutation 1:1-3 B. Thanksgiving 1:4-9 ...

Constable: 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians Bibliography Adams, Jay. Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presb...

Haydock: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE CORINTHIANS. INTRODUCTION. Corinth was the capital of Achaia, a very rich and populous city...

Gill: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS This was not the first epistle that was written by the apostle to the Corinthians, for we read in this of his having ...

Gill: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 9 The principal things in this chapter are the proof of the apostle's office and authority; arguments for his own mai...

College: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) FOREWORD Since the past few decades have seen an explosion in the number of books, articles, and commentaries on First Corinthians, a brief word to t...

College: 1 Corinthians (Outline) OUTLINE I. INTRODUCTION - 1:1-9 A. Salutation - 1:1-3 B. Thanksgiving - 1:4-9 II. DISUNITY AND COMMUNITY FRAGMENTATION - 1:10-4:21 A. ...

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