1 Corinthians 9:9

1 Corinthians 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 oxen?

a. NLT: For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this?

b. NIV: For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?

c. YLT: for in the law of Moses it hath been written, 'thou shalt not muzzle an ox treading out corn;' for the oxen doth God care?

d. Amplified Bible: For in the Law of Moses it is written, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn. Is it [only] for oxen that God cares?

e. Worrell Translation: For in the law of Moses it has been written, “You shall not muzzle an ox while treading out the grain.”

1. “For it is written in the law of Moses…”

a. for [1096 * gar] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. it is written [1125 * grapho] [Strong: a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).]

c. in [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

d. the law [3551 * nomos] [Strong: from a primary nemo (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.]

e. of Moses [3475 * Moseus] [Strong: of Hebrew origin; (4872); Moseus, Moses, or Mouses (i.e. Mosheh), the Hebrew lawgiver:--Moses.]

2. “…Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.”

a. thou shalt…muzzle [5392 * phimoo] [Strong: from phimos (a muzzle); to muzzle:--muzzle.]

b. not [3756 * ou] [Strong: also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

c. the ox [1016 * bous] [Strong: probably from the base of 1006; an ox (as grazing), i.e. an animal of that species ("beef"):--ox.]

d. that treadeth out the corn [248 * aloao] [Strong: from the same as 257; to tread out grain:--thresh, tread out the corn.]

1). [3361 * me] [Strong: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. ]

2). Stone Edition Chumash, Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:4: This commandment seems to be totally unrelated to the rest of the passage. The juxtaposition teaches some of the guidelines for the sort of transgression that incurs lashes. Among them are that, like muzzeling, it must be a negative transgression; that it involve a physical act [such as applying the muzzle; and that it be a sin cannot be undone by a subsequent positive commandment. An example of the last requirement is the sin of theft, to which is attached the positive commandment to return the stolen item (Makkos 13b; Sifre).

3). Jewish New Testament Commentary, David Stern (Messianic Jew): “A literal rendering of this would be: “Is God concerned about cattle? Or is it all because of us that he says it? Because of us.” The literal rendering would suggest that God is not concerned with cattle; animal rights activists would have a legitimate complaint against Sha’ul! But in fact God is concerned with cattle; indeed this is why the Torah forbids muzzling an ox, and this law exemplifies kindness to animals. Nevertheless God’s primary concern is with human beings, a point Shu’al makes by going beyond the simple sense of the text,…to make a drash (Commentary) giving the significance for us through allegory.”

4). Here, Paul is building the case for believers to finance the gospel by providing supply to its ministers, just as you do not muzzle oxen when harvesting grain, you do not withhold giving to those who are ministering to you. This is answered by Paul in the next few verses.  

3. “…Doth God take care for oxen?”

a. doth…take care [3199 * melo] [Strong: a primary verb; to be of interest to, i.e. to concern (only third person singular present indicative used impersonally, it matters):--(take) care.]

b. God [2316 * theos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

b. oxen [1016 * bous] [Strong: probably from the base of 1006; an ox (as grazing), i.e. an animal of that species ("beef"):--ox.]