Cow; Kine
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Cow; Kine in the Bible?
Kine is the archaic plural form of cow, historically used in English translations of the Bible to denote cattle. This terminology appears in key passages such as Pharaoh's dream in Genesis and prophetic imagery in Isaiah, where the animals serve as symbols of agricultural wealth and sustenance.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing 'kine' as the plural of cow allows readers to accurately grasp the economic and symbolic importance of livestock in biblical texts. It clarifies how herds functioned as tangible indicators of divine favor, national prosperity, and social status within the ancient Near Eastern context.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.