MUZZLE (חָסַם, H2888; φιμόω, G5821). The Israelites were commanded not to muzzle the ox when it was treading out the grain, i.e., threshing (Deut 25:4). The muzzle was a guard placed on the mouth of the oxen to prevent them from biting or eating. The threshing ox was to have ample opportunity of feeding, thus making the labor more agreeable. The injunction is in harmony with the spirit of the Deuteronomic exposition of the law of Moses throughout. Paul quotes this injunction in 1 Corinthians 9:8-11 and 1 Timothy 5:17, 18 to illustrate, with an appropriate light touch of humor, his view that “the laborer is worthy of his hire”; i.e., it is proper to pay the minister of the Gospel wages.