Regarding the animals extrapolated from Luke's reference to the manger: in my "nitpicker's guide to Journey to Bethlehem" last year, I wrote:
"By the 2nd century, some Christians had begun to link this story to an Old Testament prophecy about an ox that knows its master and an ass (or donkey) that knows its owner’s 'manger' (Isaiah 1:3). These two animals—the ox and the ass—have been mainstays in depictions of the Nativity ever since."
An article I linked to in that post also ties the traditional depiction of the ox and the ass to "an old Latin translation of Habakkuk 3:2" that says "in the midst of two animals thou shalt be known."
Aha! I was aware of the ox “manger/crib” connection in Job, but not the ones in Isaiah and Habakkuk! Thanks for that, Peter! I’ve added a new footnote above crediting you with this insight.
Regarding the animals extrapolated from Luke's reference to the manger: in my "nitpicker's guide to Journey to Bethlehem" last year, I wrote:
"By the 2nd century, some Christians had begun to link this story to an Old Testament prophecy about an ox that knows its master and an ass (or donkey) that knows its owner’s 'manger' (Isaiah 1:3). These two animals—the ox and the ass—have been mainstays in depictions of the Nativity ever since."
An article I linked to in that post also ties the traditional depiction of the ox and the ass to "an old Latin translation of Habakkuk 3:2" that says "in the midst of two animals thou shalt be known."
For whatever that's worth!
Aha! I was aware of the ox “manger/crib” connection in Job, but not the ones in Isaiah and Habakkuk! Thanks for that, Peter! I’ve added a new footnote above crediting you with this insight.