Deuteronomy 25:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Do not prevent a working animal from eating while it labors.
The Context of Deuteronomy 25:4
Laws protecting the weak and vulnerable from exploitation.
What Does Deuteronomy 25:4 Mean?
The ox treading grain to separate the chaff from the kernel was hungry labor. To muzzle it—to prevent it from eating even a portion of what it processed—was to exploit the animal's work for maximum output while denying it basic sustenance. The law forbade this cruelty.
This statute teaches that those who work deserve to eat. A laboring ox was not a machine but a living creature whose hunger was real. Respecting the creature's need while it served was both a mercy and a recognition that labor comes at a cost to the laborer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 25:4
What does Deuteronomy 25:4 mean?
Do not prevent a working animal from eating while it labors.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 25:4?
Laws protecting the weak and vulnerable from exploitation.