Re'em
Biblical animal of disputed identity, often translated as unicorn.
The re'em (Hebrew: רְאֵם, romanized: rəʾēm) appears nine times in the Hebrew Bible. Over time, it has been translated in various ways—as "unicorn" in the Latin Vulgate, the King James Version, and some Christian Bibles; as "oryx" (the term accepted in Modern Hebrew); and also as "wild ox," "wild bull," "buffalo," or "rhinoceros." Scholars Natan Slifkin and Isaac Asimov have both argued that the re'em was actually an aurochs. Paleontologist Darren Naish supports this view, citing depictions of the animal on the Babylonian Ishtar Gate.
In the King James Version of Job, following the Septuagint and Jerome's Vulgate, the re'em is rendered as "unicorn": "Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?..." Other English translations, such as the American Standard Version and the New American Standard Bible, instead interpret the re'em as "wild ox" or "wild bull."
- mentioned_in
- Hebrew Bible (nine times)
- translations
- unicorn, oryx, wild ox, wild bull, buffalo, rhinoceros
- proposed_identifications
- aurochs (Natan Slifkin, Isaac Asimov, Darren Naish)
- notable_translation_source
- King James Version (unicorn), Latin Vulgate (unicorn), Septuagint (unicorn)
- modern_hebrew_referent
- oryx
Lore & Background
The re'em appears nine times in the Hebrew Bible. In the King James Version, following the Septuagint and Jerome's Vulgate, it is translated as 'unicorn,' as seen in the Book of Job: 'Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?' Other English translations, such as the American Standard Version and New American Standard Bible, render it as 'wild ox' or 'wild bull.'
Reader's Guide
The re'em is significant as a case study in biblical translation and historical zoology. Its identity remains uncertain, with scholars proposing various animals. Natan Slifkin and Isaac Asimov argued it was an aurochs, a now-extinct wild cattle species. Paleontologist Darren Naish also contended it was an aurochs, based on depictions on the Babylonian Ishtar Gate. The term was accepted in Modern Hebrew as 'oryx.' The variety of translations—unicorn, oryx, wild ox, wild bull, buffalo, rhinoceros—reflects the difficulty of identifying the animal from the biblical text alone. This ambiguity has made the re'em a subject of interest for both religious and scientific audiences, illustrating how ancient texts can preserve references to animals that are now extinct or culturally reinterpreted.
Did You Know?
- The re'em is mentioned nine times in the Hebrew Bible.
- It was translated as 'unicorn' in the Latin Vulgate and King James Version.
- Natan Slifkin and Isaac Asimov argued the re'em was an aurochs.
- Paleontologist Darren Naish also contended it was an aurochs, based on the Babylonian Ishtar Gate.
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