Chapter I. The Sign TAURUS (The Bull).
Messiah, the coming Judge of all the Earth.
The picture is that of a Bull rushing forward with mighty energy and fierce wrath, his horns set so as to push his enemies, and pierce them through and destroy them.
It is a prophecy of Christ, the coming Judge, and Ruler, and “Lord of all the earth.”
Plate 28: TAURUS (the Bull)
The Egyptian Zodiac of Denderah already, 4,000 years ago, had forgotten the truth to which the prophecy had referred, and called him Isis, i.e., who saves or delivers, and Apis, i.e., the head or chief. The Bull is clearly represented, and in all the zodiacs which have come down to us is always in the act of pushing, or rushing.
The name of the sign in Chaldee is תּוֹר, Tor. Hence, Arabic, Al Thaur; Greek, Tauros; Latin, Taurus, etc. The more common Hebrew name was שׁוּר, Shur, which is from a root which means both coming and ruling. There are several Hebrew words for bulls and oxen, etc. But the common poetical term for all is ראם, Reem, conveying the idea of loftiness, exaltation, power, and pre-eminence. We find the root in other kindred languages (Etruscan, Sanscrit, etc.), and it can be traced in the name of Abram, which means pre-eminent or high father; Ramah, high place, etc.
The stars in Taurus present a brilliant sight. There are at least 141 stars, besides two important groups of stars, which both form integral parts of the sign.
The brightest star, α (in the bull's eye), has a Chaldee name—Al Debaran, and means the leader or governor. The star β (at the tip of the left horn) has an Arabic name—El Nath, meaning wounded or slain. Another prophetic intimation that this coming Lord should be first slain as a sacrifice.