Although castration is the method ordinarily employed for breaking bulls for service as draft animals, apparently this was not practiced by the Israelites, for a mutilated animal was unfit for sacrifice. (Le 22:23, 24; De 17:1; compare 1Ki 19:21.) It has, therefore, been suggested that the breed used by the Israelites may have been of a gentle temper.

The bull was used by the Israelites in the work related to farm operations, for plowing and threshing. (De 22:10; 25:4) The creature was to be treated humanely. The apostle Paul applied to God’s Christian servants the principle embodied in the Law with respect to not muzzling a bull while it is threshing, indicating that just as the working bull was entitled to feed on the grain it was threshing, likewise the one sharing spiritual things with others is worthy of receiving material provisions. (Ex 23:4, 12; De 25:4; 1Co 9:7-10)