The Bible speaks of Unicorns, why are there none in the fossil record?

Question

How can the fossil record be trusted if we can't find any Unicorn bones?

Answer 1

Actually this is probably just a case of poor translation. The translators of the KJV chose this word as a translation of the name of an uncertain Hebrew animal. Most modern translations render this word as "wild ox". (Eg, Psalm 29:6)
It has no significant theological bearing.
You may want to be more concerned about whether you are headed towards heaven, or hell.

Answer 2

I'd like to let the irish rovers explain this one with their hit song.

THE UNICORN
The Irish Rovers

A long time ago, when the earth was still green,
There were more kinds of animals than you've ever seen;
They'd run around free while the earth was being born,
The loveliest of all was the Unicorn.

There was green alligators and long-necked geese,
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees,
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born,
The loveliest of all was the Unicorn.

Now God seen some sinnin' and it gave Him pain.
And He said, "Stand back, I'm going to make it rain."
He said, "Hey, brother Noah, I'll tell you what to do.
Build me a floating zoo."

And take some of them green alligators and long-necked geese,
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees,
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born,
Don't you forget my Unicorn."

Old Noah was there to answer the call,
He finished up making the Ark just as the rain started fallin',
He marched in the animals two by two
And he called out as they went through,
"Hey, Lord: I've got yer....

Green alligators and long-necked geese,
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees,
Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I'm so forlorn,
I just can't see no Unicorn."

Old Noah looked out into the driving rain,
Them Unicorns was hiding, playing silly games,
Kicking and splashing while the rain was pouring,
Oh, them silly Unicorns.

There was green alligators and long-necked geese,
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees,
Noah cried, "Close the doors 'cause the rain is pourin',
And we just can't wait for no Unicorns."

The Ark started movin', it drifted with the tide,
Them Unicorns looked up from the rock and they cried,
And the waters came down and sorta floated them away,
That's why you'll never see a Unicorn, to this very day.

You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese,
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees,
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born,
You're never gonna see no Unicorn

Answer 3

First of all - let's not play fast and loose with the scripture. The word translated "unicorn" could just as easily have been translated bull. Here are the references:
Num 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
Num 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.
Job 39:9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
Job 39:10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
Psa 29:6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
Psa 92:10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like [the horn of] an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

and here is the corresponding Strong's reference number so you can confirm my assertion that the exact meaning is not known:
Strong's Number: 07214 Browse Lexicon
Original Word Word Origin
~ar from (07213)
Transliterated Word TDNT Entry
R@'em TWOT - 2096a
Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech
reh-ame' Noun Masculine

Definition
probably the great aurochs or wild bulls which are now extinct. The exact meaning is not known.

Hope this helps!
Tom

Answer 4

"Unicorn", that is one of the mistranslations in the King James. You can do the research on it if you want to spend the time. The Hebrew word is "reem", and means a wild ox, or a buffalo, or a roaring animal.
Why the translators chose unicorn --???

Answer 5

They are mentioned in six verses in the King James version. Here they are.


Numbers 23:22 KJV: God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

Numbers 24:8 KJV: 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.

Job 39:9-10 KJV:

9: Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

10: Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?


Psalms 29:5-6 KJV

5: The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

6: He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.


Psalms 92:10 KJV: But my horn shalt thou exalt like [the horn of] an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

Answer 6

Lions roamed the Judean countryside but there are no fossil record of them. Fossils occur in very rare circumstances. Just because we don't have a fossil doesn't mean they didnt exist.

Answer 7

Probably because the pink unicorns are invisible...

Answer 8

Classic example of how mis-translations made the bible unreliable.

Answer 9

Because they are made of love and love does not fossilize properly.

Answer 10

Are unicorns real?