Bible Encyclopedias
Muzzle

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

muz´'l ( חסם , ḥāṣam ; φιμόω , phimóō ): According to the Deuteronomic injunction Deuteronomy 25:4 , the ox was not to be muzzled while treading the grain, i.e. threshing. The muzzle was a guard placed on the mouth of the oxen to prevent them from biting or eating. The threshing ox would have ample opportunity of feeding (compare Hosea 10:11 ). The Deuteronomic injunction is quite in accordance with the humane spirit which inspires it all through. Paul quotes this law in two places 1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18 to illustrate his view that the "laborer is worthy of his hire."

Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Muzzle'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​isb/​m/muzzle.html. 1915.