Bible Dictionary
Bull, Bullock
Bull and bullock are general terms for mature horned cattle, especially animals suitable for plowing or sacrifice. Scripture also uses “wild bull” for a swift or powerful wild animal, possibly a large antelope.
Definition
Bull and bullock are general terms for mature horned cattle, especially animals of full age and fit for the plow. In biblical translation, related terms may also be rendered ox, oxen, cow, or kine.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses bull or wild bull in descriptions of cattle and powerful animals. The “wild bull” may refer to a large species of antelope, noted for swiftness.
Historical Background
The supplied material notes that large herds of black, nearly harmless buffaloes existed in Palestine and may represent the animal intended by the biblical wild-bull references.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
terms used synonymously with ox, oxen, and properly a generic name for horned cattle when a full age and fit for the plough. It is variously rendered “bullock,” (Isaiah 65:25) “cow,” (Ezekiel 4:15) “oxen,” (Genesis 12:16) Kine is used in the Bible as the plural of cow. In (Isaiah 51:20) the “wild bull” (“wild ox” in (14:5)) was possibly one of the larger species of antelope, and took its name from its swiftness. Dr. Robinson mentions larger herds of black and almost harmless buffaloes as still existing in Palestine, and these may be the animal indicated.