feminine of עֵגֶל; a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e. a heifer); calf, cow, heifer.
Transliteration:ʻeglâh
Pronunciation:eg-law'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun עֶגְלָה (ʻeglâh), Strong's number `{{H5697}}`, is the feminine form of עֵגֶל (`{{H5695}}`), meaning "calf." Specifically, ʻeglâh denotes a female calf, typically one that is nearly grown, often translated as "heifer." Its semantic range primarily encompasses this literal meaning of a young, female bovine. While it can refer to a young cow generally, the nuance often points to an animal that has not yet calved or reached full maturity, but is beyond the very young calf stage. This distinction is important for its use in sacrificial and agricultural contexts, where age and gender could be significant factors.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ʻeglâh appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, reflecting its literal and metaphorical significance:
* **Sacrificial and Ritual Use:** The heifer plays a crucial role in specific Israelite rituals. In the covenant ceremony with Abraham, God instructs him to bring a "heifer of three years old" ([[Genesis 15:9]]), signifying the solemnity and permanence of the divine promise. Most notably, the "red heifer" (פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה) in [[Numbers 19:2]] (where פָּרָה `{{H6510}}` is used, though ʻeglâh could also apply to a young female cow) was central to the purification ritual for those defiled by contact with a corpse. This unique offering, whose ashes were mixed with water for sprinkling, was essential for re-entry into the community's ritual purity. Another instance is the atonement for an unsolved murder, where a "heifer" (ʻeglâh) was to be slain in a ravine ([[Deuteronomy 21:3-6]]), symbolizing the purification of the land from bloodguilt. Similarly, Samuel requests a "heifer" for sacrifice when anointing David ([[1 Samuel 16:2]]). These occurrences underscore the heifer's role as an unblemished offering, capable of mediating purity and atonement.
* **Agricultural and Pastoral Contexts:** ʻeglâh appears in descriptions of pastoral life, highlighting its economic value and utility. For instance, [[Isaiah 7:21]] speaks of a man keeping "a young cow and two sheep," indicating the heifer's place in a typical Israelite household's livestock. Its use in threshing is alluded to in [[Hosea 10:11]], where Ephraim is likened to a "trained heifer that loves to thresh," suggesting a docile animal accustomed to labor, yet also perhaps one that enjoys the fruit of its labor (eating grain while threshing).
* **Prophetic and Metaphorical Language:** Prophets frequently employ ʻeglâh as a powerful metaphor to describe nations or individuals:
* **Untamed and Rebellious:** [[Hosea 10:11]] contrasts a trained heifer with Ephraim's stubbornness, implying a people that resists the yoke of divine instruction.
* **Vulnerability and Lament:** In prophetic laments, the "heifer" can symbolize a nation's vulnerability and distress. [[Jeremiah 46:20]] describes Egypt as a "beautiful heifer" now facing destruction, her beauty and strength turning to flight before the invading power. [[Isaiah 15:5]] depicts the lament of Moab, whose "heifers" cry out, signifying the destruction and distress of their land.
* **Prosperity and Judgment:** The imagery can also evoke a sense of fatness or prosperity that will be judged, as in the "heifers of Bashan" in [[Amos 4:1]], a scathing indictment of the wealthy and oppressive women of Samaria.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of ʻeglâh is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms and broader biblical concepts:
* **עֵגֶל (`{{H5695}}`):** As the masculine counterpart, ʻeglâh is intrinsically linked to ʻegel, "calf." The distinction highlights gender, which was significant in ancient Israelite animal husbandry and sacrificial regulations. While ʻegel might evoke images like the golden calf ([[Exodus 32:4]]), ʻeglâh often carries a more specific ritual or agricultural connotation due to its feminine nature.
* **בָּקָר (`{{H1241}}`):** This is the general term for "cattle" or "herd," encompassing both male and female bovines of various ages. ʻeglâh is a specific type within this broader category.
* **פָּרָה (`{{H6510}}`):** Meaning "cow" or "heifer," parah can sometimes be used interchangeably with ʻeglâh or refer to an older, mature female bovine that has calved. The "red heifer" of [[Numbers 19]] uses parah, indicating a mature animal suitable for the specific purification rite. The distinction often lies in the nuance of age and reproductive status.
* **Sacrifice and Atonement:** The use of ʻeglâh in various rituals connects it to the broader biblical themes of sacrifice, atonement, purification, and covenant.
* **Purity and Defilement:** The red heifer ritual is a prime example of its association with the intricate system of purity and defilement in Israelite law.
* **Agricultural Life:** The word grounds us in the realities of ancient Israel's agrarian society, where livestock was central to sustenance, wealth, and labor.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻeglâh extends beyond its literal meaning, touching upon core biblical doctrines:
* **Covenant and Divine Faithfulness:** The heifer in Abraham's covenant ([[Genesis 15]]) underscores the solemnity and divine commitment to the promises made. The dismembered animals, including the heifer, symbolize the dire consequences of breaking the covenant, while God's passing through the pieces alone signifies His unilateral and unwavering faithfulness.
* **Purification and Atonement:** The ritual of the red heifer ([[Numbers 19]]) is profoundly significant. Its unique application—purification from defilement by death, rather than sin—foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Christ. The author of Hebrews draws a direct parallel, contrasting the temporary cleansing offered by the ashes of a heifer with the eternal purification achieved through the blood of Christ ([[Hebrews 9:13-14]]). This ritual, performed outside the camp, also prefigures Christ's suffering outside the city gates.
* **Prophetic Warning and Judgment:** The metaphorical use of ʻeglâh in prophetic literature often serves as a powerful symbol of a nation's spiritual state. When described as an "untamed heifer" ([[Hosea 10:11]]), it speaks to Israel's stubbornness and resistance to God's will, leading to divine judgment. Conversely, the "beautiful heifer" of Egypt ([[Jeremiah 46:20]]) highlights the transient nature of worldly power and beauty in the face of God's sovereign judgment.
* **God's Providence and Sustenance:** In its more mundane uses, the heifer represents God's provision for His people's needs—for food, labor, and sacrificial offerings, demonstrating His gracious care for their physical and spiritual well-being.
### Summary
The Hebrew term עֶגְלָה (ʻeglâh, `{{H5697}}`) denotes a female calf or heifer, specifically one that is nearly grown. Its usage in the biblical text is multifaceted, ranging from literal descriptions of livestock in agricultural settings ([[Isaiah 7:21]]) to its pivotal role in sacred rituals. The ʻeglâh is central to the covenant with Abraham ([[Genesis 15:9]]) and, most significantly, to the unique purification rite of the red heifer ([[Numbers 19:2]]), which holds profound theological implications for understanding atonement and foreshadowing the work of Christ. Beyond its literal and ritualistic functions, ʻeglâh serves as a potent prophetic metaphor, symbolizing nations' prosperity, vulnerability, stubbornness, or impending judgment ([[Hosea 10:11]], [[Jeremiah 46:20]], [[Amos 4:1]]). Thus, ʻeglâh transcends a simple animal designation, embodying deep theological truths concerning covenant, purity, divine judgment, and the ultimate provision of salvation.
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