Dictionaries :: Unicorn

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Unicorn:

described as an animal of great ferocity and strength (Num 23:22, R.V., "wild ox," marg., "ox-antelope; 24:8; Isa 34:7, R.V., "wild oxen"), and untamable (Job 39:9). It was in reality a two-horned animal; but the exact reference of the word so rendered (reem) is doubtful. Some have supposed it to be the buffalo; others, the white antelope, called by the Arabs rim. Most probably, however, the word denotes the Bos primigenius ("primitive ox"), which is now extinct all over the world. This was the auerochs of the Germans, and the urus described by Caesar (Gal. Bel., vi.28) as inhabiting the Hercynian forest. The word thus rendered has been found in an Assyrian inscription written over the wild ox or bison, which some also suppose to be the animal intended (Deu 33:17; Psa 22:21; 29:6; 92:10).

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Unicorn:

u'-ni-korn (re'em (Nu 23:22; 24:8; De 33:17; Job 39:9,10; Ps 22:21; 29:6; 92:10; Isa 34:7)): "Unicorn" occurs in the King James Version in the passages cited, where the Revised Version (British and American) has "wild-ox" (which see).

King James Dictionary

Unicorn: Wild Ox.

Will the UNICORN be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the UNICORN with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? (Job 39:9-12)

Nave's Topical Bible

Unicorn: [Wild Ox, R.V.]

Intractable,

Job 39:9-12.

Horned,

Deu 33:17; Psa 22:21; 92:10.

Great strength of,

Num 24:8; Job 39:10, 11.

Unicorn: Figurative:

Of the judgments of God,

Isa 34:7.

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Unicorn: Generally Had a Single Horn

Psa 92:10

Unicorn: Sometimes Found with Two Horns

Deu 33:17

Unicorn: Described As

Intractable in disposition

Job 39:9,10,12

Of vast strength

Job 39:11

Unicorn: The Young Of, Remarkable for Agility

Psa 29:6

Unicorn: Illustrative

Of God as the strength of Israel

Num 23:22; 24:8

Of the wicked

Isa 34:7

(Horns of,) of the strength of the descendants of Joseph

Deu 33:17

(Horns of,) of the strength of powerful enemies

Psa 22:21

(The position of its horns,) of the exaltation of saints

Psa 92:10

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Unicorn:

the rendering of the Authorized Version of the Hebrew reeym, a word which occurs seven times in the Old Testament as the name of some large wild animal. The reem of the Hebrew Bible, however, has nothing at all to do with the one‐horned animal of the Greek and Roman writers, as is evident from Deuteronomy 33:17 where in the blessing of Joseph it is said; "his glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of a unicorn;" not, as the text of the Authorized Version renders it, "the horns of unicorns." The two horns of the ram are "the ten thousands of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh." This text puts a one‐horned animal entirely out of the question. Considering that the reem is spoken of as a two‐horned animal of great strength and ferocity, that it was evidently well known and often seen by the Jews, that it is mentioned as an animal fit for sacrificial purposes, and that it is frequently associated with bulls and oxen we think there can be no doubt that, some species of wild ox is intended. The allusion in Psalm 92:10 "But thou shalt lift up, as a reeym, my horn," seems to point to the mode in which the Bovidae use their horns, lowering the head and then tossing it up. But it is impossible to determine what particular species of wild ox is signified probably some gigantic urus is intended (It is probable that it was the gigantic Bos primigeniua, or aurochs, now extinct, but of which Caesar says, "These uri are scarcely less than elephants in size, but in their nature, color and form are bulls. Great is their strength and great their speed; they spare neither man nor beast when once they have caught sight of them"-Bell. Gall. vi. 20.‐ED.)