"The ox" is a symbol of the industriousness, submissiveness, and humility of man.

"The ox" is an image of a man who meekly, uncomplainingly bears the worldly burden of labor, a human toiler.

"The oxen" is also a symbol of the physical, intellectual strength of man, which he must offer as a "sacrifice" to God, i.e. apply to knowledge, and the fulfillment of God's Commandments, to perform good deeds.

Negative meaning.  

 The word "ox" denotes the "draught" force of the sinful system of the world, i.e., the peoples who ensure its existence, who bear the burden of the consequences of their sins, who pull on their shoulders the whims of their enslavers, the masters of the sinful world, who use their false teachings and dogmas to keep peoples in subjection and obedience.