What is an oxgoad in the Bible?

Response

An ox goad is a wooden tool, about eight feet long, equipped with an iron spike or point at one end, which was used to prod oxen as they pulled a plow or cart. It often had an iron scraper at the non-pointed end to remove clods of earth from the plowshare when it became clogged.

The ox goad is mentioned only once by that name in the Bible, in Judges 3:31. Shamgar, one of the judges of Israel, killed six hundred Philistines using only an ox goad as a weapon. Shamgar’s use of an ox goad illustrates how oppressed the men of Judah had become at that time. Later, Israel was so disarmed that “not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel” «They chose new gods; Then was war in the gates: Was there a shield or spear seen Among forty thousand in Israel? », (Judges 5:8).

Ecclesiastes 12:11 mentions a goad, which is synonymous with an ox goad: “The words of the wise are like goads, / and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; / they are given by one Shepherd.” In this verse, a comparison is drawn between the Word of God, its doctrines, and its effects on the heart of man and an ox goad that pricks, drives, and directs sinners like oxen. The Shepherd uses the Word to prick our consciences, drive us to repentance, and direct us to Christ for salvation.

When an ox was prodded with a goad, its reaction was sometimes to kick out in resistance. Naturally, kicking back at the goad was futile, not to mention painful. Jesus used this as an analogy when He confronted Saul on the Damascus Road «And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. », Acts 26:14, Jesus questioned Saul about why he was persecuting Him. Jesus reminded Saul that resisting the gospel, similar to an ox kicking against the goad, could harm himself. Saul wisely chose to submit to the goad and surrendered to Christ.