Original Word: μόσχος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: moschos
Pronunciation: MOS-khos
Phonetic Spelling: (mos'-khos)
KJV: calf
NASB: calf, calves
Word Origin: [probably strengthened for oschos (a shoot)]

1. a young bullock

calf.

Probably strengthened for oschos (a shoot); a young bullock -- calf.

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a young shoot, a calf
NASB Translation
calf (4), calves (2).

STRONGS NT 3448: μόσχος

μόσχος, μόσχου, ὁ (cf. Schmidt, chapter 76, 12; Curtius, p. 593);

1. a tender, juicy, shoot; a sprout, of a plant or tree.

2. ὁ, ἡ, μόσχος offspring;

a. of men ((cf. figurative English scion)), a boy, a girl, especially if fresh and delicate.

b. of animals, a young one.

3. a calf, a bullock, a heifer; so everywhere in the Bible, and always masculine: Luke 15:23, 27, 30; Hebrews 9:12, 19; Revelation 4:7; (the Sept. chiefly for פַּר, a bull, especially a young bull; then for בָּקָר, cattle; for שׁור, an ox or a cow; also for עֵגֶל, a calf). ((Euripides, on.))

Overview

Strong’s Greek 3448 portrays the “calf” or “young bull,” an animal deeply woven into Israel’s sacrificial worship and into the Christ-centered message of the New Testament. Where the Old Testament presents the calf as an acceptable victim of blood-atonement, the New Testament retains the image both literally (in worship language) and figuratively (in parable and apocalyptic vision). Across its six occurrences μόσχος unites themes of substitutionary sacrifice, restoration, and the glory of God’s throne.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• Hebrews 9:12 – The writer contrasts the annual entry of the high priest “with the blood of goats and calves” to the once-for-all entrance of Christ “by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.”
• Hebrews 9:19 – Moses is recalled sprinkling “the scroll and all the people” with “the blood of calves and goats,” underscoring the covenantal pattern fulfilled in Christ.
• Luke 15:23, 27, 30 – In the parable of the prodigal, the “fattened calf” becomes the centerpiece of celebratory grace.
• Revelation 4:7 – John beholds “the second living creature like a calf,” a symbol stationed at God’s throne in ceaseless worship.

Old Testament Background

Calves were prescribed for burnt offerings (Leviticus 9:3), sin offerings (Leviticus 4:3), and peace offerings (Leviticus 9:18). Their value lay in purity and costliness—a fitting shadow of the sinless Messiah. Negative episodes such as the golden calf (Exodus 32) highlight mankind’s propensity to corrupt worship, contrasting sharply with legitimate, God-appointed sacrifice.

Sacrificial Symbolism and Typology of Christ

Hebrews 9 employs μόσχος to emphasize contrast, not equivalence. The blood of calves could “cleanse outwardly,” but only Christ’s blood reaches the conscience (Hebrews 9:14). The repetition of calf-sacrifice foreshadowed the once-for-all offering. By invoking μόσχος, the author bridges Jewish readers’ familiarity with temple ritual to the sufficiency of Jesus’ atonement.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Three times Luke highlights the “fattened calf,” reserved for exceptional joy.

Luke 15:23: “Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.”

The calf signals the father’s lavish welcome, not mere subsistence. As a costly animal, it illustrates grace that spares no expense. When the elder brother protests, the father’s reply reaffirms that reconciliation merits the highest celebration (Luke 15:30). For ministry, μόσχος becomes a pastoral metaphor: repentance must be met with visible, costly rejoicing, reflecting the Father’s heart.

Heavenly Vision in Revelation

Revelation 4:7 unveils the “second living creature like a calf,” standing adjacent to counterparts resembling a lion, a man, and an eagle. In priestly imagery the calf connotes service and sacrifice, while in apocalyptic setting it magnifies attributes of God worshiped by creation. The continuous “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Revelation 4:8) is thus offered by beings that incorporate the sacrificial emblem, testifying that heaven’s liturgy forever extols the Lamb who was slain.

Practical Ministry Lessons

1. Celebrate redemption extravagantly; the Father does (Luke 15).
2. Guard against empty ritual; blood of calves never saved, but pointed to Christ (Hebrews 9).
3. Worship integrates sacrifice and glory; throne-room imagery (Revelation 4) informs earthly liturgy.
4. God provides the offering; humanity responds with faith and obedience.

Theological Reflections

μόσχος encapsulates the progression from type to fulfillment. What once lay bleeding on the altar now anchors doctrinal assurance in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Simultaneously, the term enriches pastoral imagination, urging believers to mirror divine generosity toward repentant sinners and to join heavenly creatures in unending praise.

μόσχοι μόσχοις μοσχον μόσχον μόσχος μόσχου μόσχους μοσχω μόσχω μόσχῳ μοσχων μόσχων μοτώσει moscho moschō móschoi móschōi moschon moschōn móschon móschōnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts