Donkey(ass)
Summary
A highly valued domesticated animal in the ancient Near East, used for riding and burden-bearing, and distinguished from the Western perception by its nobility, intelligence, and symbolism of peace.
☩Status in the East
The ass in eastern countries was a far more noble animal than its Western counterpart—with erect bearing, elegant limbs, spirited yet docile temperament, and graceful gait. People of the first quality rode on asses; judges and kings including David and Solomon regularly used them for transportation. The white asses mentioned in Scripture were especially prized and beautiful. Herds of asses formed an important part of a wealthy person's property, as seen in the possessions of Abraham, Jacob, and Job.
☩Uses and Regulations
Donkeys served multiple purposes: riding (by both men and women), carrying burdens, drawing chariots, and even plowing. The Mosaic law prohibited yoking an ass with an ox, respecting natural distinctions and teaching against unequal alliances. Though the ass was ceremonially unclean, the law required that firstborn donkeys be redeemed. During extreme famine in Samaria, even the unclean ass's head was sold for food at exorbitant prices.
☩Symbolism
The ass symbolized peace as the horse symbolized war, making it the appropriate mount for the Prince of Peace. Zechariah prophesied that Israel's king would come 'lowly and riding upon an ass,' fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. The untamed colt bearing Christ quietly demonstrated His dominion over nature. Balaam's ass miraculously speaking to rebuke the prophet illustrates how even a dumb beast may recognize what a spiritually blind prophet cannot see.
☩The Wild Ass
The wild ass of Scripture—the onager or Asian wild ass—was a more magnificent animal than its domestic relative: taller, swifter than a gazelle, with silvery coloring and untamable spirit. Job's description emphasizes its love of freedom and inhospitable desert haunts. Scripture uses the wild ass as an image of untamed perversity; Ishmael was prophesied to be 'a wild ass of a man,' and Israel's spiritual waywardness is likened to a wild ass in heat.
Related Verses96 mentions
References
- 1.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Ass," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Ass," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.George Morrish, "Ass," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Richard Watson, "Ass," in A Biblical and Theological Dictionary (John Mason, 1831).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Ass," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 6.American Tract Society, "Ass," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).