Real, Powerful Unicorns In The Bible KJV – 9 Verses

Yes, the so-called “mythical” creatures called unicorns are actually mentioned in the King James Version of the Bible! There are unicorns in the Bible KJV. Furthermore, this is not some one-time, obscure thing. The King James Version of the Bible specifically mentions the word “unicorns” or “unicorns” 9 times.

The unicorn was a real animal, familiar to the people who lived in Bible times. Modern versions of the Bible translate the same word as “wild ox” or sometimes as “rhinoceroses,” but the King James translators, supernaturally aided by the Holy Spirit Who preserves God’s Word, made sure that modern Bible readers see the word “unicorn.”

While some Bible skeptics may think that a unicorn is only a mythical creature, since the Bible mentions such an animal, it is part of natural history; this single horned animal did exist. There is a vast difference between a mythical animal and an extinct animal, the latter category of which, the unicorn belongs.

Unicorns in the Bible KJV — Wild Ox? Dinosaur? Rhinoceros?

Since some Bible translators have translated the word “unicorn” to be a wild ox, some may have associated the wild ox with the extinct cattle species called “aurochs,” the scientific name of Bos primigenius. If these cattle were a correct translation for the Hebrew word reh-ame’ which istranslated as “unicorn(s)” then it would be expected that this wild oxen, the aurochs, be characterized by them having a single horn. Wild oxen are cattle. Any ox, wild or domesticated, is a two-horned animal.

Another idea about the unicorn is the extinct dinosaur called Elasmotherium, an ancient relative of the present-day rhinoceros. From the fossil record, this dinosaur resembled the modern-day rhinoceros except for one distinct fact. It had no horns — not one. Some scientists want to “put a horn on it” by saying that it did have a horn, but no horn has ever been found with the fossil record of this beast.

Another guess as to what the Bible calls a unicorn is the Asian one-horned rhinoceros, scientifically called the rhinoceros unicornis, which is found in the country of India. The Bible writers lived in Israel, not the far east. Even if the unicorn was a rhinoceros, the people of Israel would not have been aware of its existence enough to write about it while fully expecting others to immediately know what particular creature they were referring to in the animal kingdom.

Some Bible scholars seem to think that the word unicorn was describing an marine animal with a single horn, like the narwhal.

God’s Word can be, and sometimes is, mysterious. Just because we don’t have a clear picture of what He is trying to tell us in His Word, whether it is about unicorns or something else, does not mean His Word is incorrect. God has promised to preserve His Word. When we are faced with an unfamiliar concept in the Bible, whether it’s a word that we have no modern example, or a difficult concept to grasp, consider either as an invitation from God Himself to study His Word.

The Word of God is a teacher, and the Bible teaches mankind things that God wants people to know. In reading the Bible, expect to learn about God, His mind, and His thoughts; He gave His Word as a window into His mind. Mysterious things, even the mention of unicorns, is for us to think, consider, and learn.

Just because there is no existence of what we picture of a unicorn in the fossil record does not mean this animal never existed. According to God’s inerrant Word, it did. Very likely this particular animal, the biblical unicorn, like many other creatures, has become extinct through time.

Unicorns in the Bible KJV — Modern Bible Translations

All of the modern translations of the Bible, such as the New International Version, which is one of the more popular, translate the Hebrew word reh-ame’ as “wild ox.” Remember, oxen, extinct or modern, have two horns. Interestingly, most of the Bible translations of the sixteenth century, such as the Geneva Bible of 1587, use the old English word “vnicorne,” recognizing the existence of this single-horned animal. Compare more about the Bible version issues in regard to the translation of this particular word at the Bible Hub.

Modern readers who use the King James Version can both understand, and appreciate, the fact that real unicorns did exist at one time in history. The infallible Word of God both recorded and honor the existence of real unicorns.

Unicorns in the Bible KJV — Ancient Description

The existence of any living unicorns today appears to be doubtful. The unicorn is usually portrayed as a powerful, horse-like creature with a tall, single horn protruding from its head.

One ancient description of a similar animal was from the book Natural History: A Selection by Pliny the Elder. He described a creature that he called a monoceros (mono meaning “one”). He described it as having a body of a horse, a head of large deer without antlers, feet like an elephant, and a tail like a wild boar. He also said this creature had a single black horn in the middle of its forehead, which was about three feet long. He also added that this creature was impossible to capture alive.

This description, especially the horse-like body and head similar to a deer, is the way unicorns are described by artists today. The Biblical clues about unicorns also seem to corroborate this description. The word “unicorn” only appears in the Old Testament, and this is not surprising since the Old Testament refers many times to nature and the natural world more so than does the New Testament.

Here is the list of Bible verses about unicorns in the order in which they appear in the Bible.

Numbers 23:22

“God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.” (KJV)

This verse describes the great strength of the unicorn. Moses, who wrote the Book of Numbers, wanted his readers to understand the power of God, so he compared it to the most powerful animal known to him at that time – the unicorn.

 Numbers 24:8

“God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.” (KJV)

Again, Moses uses the power of the great strength of the unicorn to convey God’s power in protecting His people.

Deuteronomy 33:17

“His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.” (KJV)

This verse emphasizes the power of the unicorns’ horns indicting that the unicorn was an animal of great ferocity. The verse uses the metaphor of the “horns of unicorns.” Moses knew of the immense power at the end of the unicorn’s horn. He used this illustration to convey the fact of pushing thousands of people. 

Job 39:9-10

“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?” (KJV)

The Book of Job offers many glimpses into the natural world. Bible scholars estimate that the Book of Job was written not too far after the flood of Noah. This book also includes descriptions of dinosaurs. Therefore, it should come as no surprise then that unicorns are mentioned. The context of these questions is Jehovah God questioning Job. These questions are rhetorical, they were not meant to be answered. The answer was an obvious and emphatic “No.” These rhetorical questions also, and interestingly enough, align perfectly with Pliny the Elder’s observation that the unicorn could not be captured alive.

Both God and Job knew that the unicorn could not be domesticated; the unicorn was a dangerous animal. The ancient people who loved and observed unicorns knew they could not train these powerful animals to watch over their children like a loyal guard dog, and they could not catch and tame these powerful beasts and domesticate them for use in farming, like they did with cattle.

Psalm 22:21

“Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.” (KJV)

David wrote this particular prophetic psalm. Comparing this phrase with “the lion’s mouth,” David indicates that the power of a unicorn’s single horn was as deadly as the mouth of a lion. With this phrase, he is alluding to the deadly power of his worst oppressors, comparing their atrocities to that of a unicorn’s horn.

Psalm 29:6

“He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. (KJV)

The young unicorns must have been creatures of great beauty and strength. Watching young unicorns frolic must have brought great pleasure to those who saw them.

Psalm 92:10

“But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.” (KJV)

If the description of the unicorn’s single, three-foot horn was correct, King David could think of no better comparison in becoming king of Israel. It was the custom of the prophet to pour oil onto the head of the one to be exalted to the position of king.

Isaiah 34:7

“And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.” (KJV)

The context of the setting of this interesting verse is not the past, but rather, the future. The prophet Isaiah is describing the Kingdom Age after the seven years of tribulation. God made sure that the prophet used the specific word “unicorns.” Unicorns are extinct now, but this verse may be suggesting that during the kingdom age, God may resurrect species of animals that are currently extinct in this present day, such as unicorns, dinosaurs, and dodo birds.

Unicorns in the Bible KJV — Creation of Unicorns

Since there were land animals called unicorns in Biblical times, then it is obvious they must have been created. God created them on the sixth day of creation, and Adam named them like he named all of the rest of the animal kingdom, and Noah took a pair of them with him on the ark (No, the unicorns did not “miss the boat!”). It may have been that Noah was the only human to have close contact with real, live unicorns! Unfortunately, like many other species in the animal kingdom, they must have become extinct, though when, we do not know.

The King James Bible is a book of facts, not a book of fairy tales. If we can trust God to record and to preserve His Word, and He mentions unicorns, we can trust that unicorns were a part of our natural history, and they just may be a part of our future as well.

To learn more about ancient, extinct animals mentioned in the Bible check out Magnificent Fire Breathing Dragons in the Bible – 5 Examples.

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