Topical Encyclopedia
The term "ass" in the Bible refers to a domesticated animal commonly known as a donkey. In biblical times, asses were highly valued for their strength, endurance, and ability to carry heavy loads over long distances. They played a significant role in the daily life and economy of ancient Near Eastern cultures, including the Israelites.
Biblical References:1.
Creation and Early Use: The ass is first mentioned in the context of creation and early human civilization. In
Genesis 12:16, Abram (later Abraham) is described as having acquired asses among other livestock, indicating their importance in wealth and trade: "He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels."
2.
Symbol of Peace and Humility: The ass is often associated with peace and humility. In
Zechariah 9:9, the coming of the Messiah is prophesied with the imagery of a king riding on a donkey: "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This prophecy is fulfilled in the New Testament when Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, as recorded in
Matthew 21:5.
3.
Role in Daily Life: Asses were integral to the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites. They were used for plowing fields, threshing grain, and transporting goods. In
Deuteronomy 22:10, the law instructs, "Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together," highlighting the common use of donkeys in agricultural work.
4.
Symbol of Judgment: In some instances, the ass is used as a symbol of judgment or stubbornness. In the account of Balaam, God uses Balaam's donkey to deliver a message of warning.
Numbers 22:28 states, "Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, 'What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?'"
5.
Ownership and Loss: The loss or theft of an ass was considered a significant misfortune, as seen in the account of Saul's search for his father's lost donkeys in
1 Samuel 9:3-4. This event ultimately leads to Saul's anointing as the first king of Israel.
6.
Legal and Ethical Considerations: The Mosaic Law includes specific instructions regarding the treatment of asses, reflecting their value and the ethical considerations of their use.
Exodus 23:4-5 commands, "If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it."
Cultural and Theological Significance:In biblical symbolism, the ass often represents humility, service, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Its role in the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem underscores the contrast between worldly power and divine humility. The ass's presence in various biblical narratives highlights its importance in the daily life and spiritual lessons of the Israelites.
Library
The Absurd Cavil of theAss's Head Disposed Of.
... Book I. Chapter XI. "The Absurd Cavil of theAss's Head Disposed of. In this
matter we are (said to be) guilty not merely of forsaking...
For, Like Some Others, You are under the Delusion that Our God is...
... For, like some others, you are under the delusion that our god is anass's? For,
like some others, you are under the delusion that our god is anass's head....
The Little Ones and their Stumbling-Blocks.
... stumbling-block; but, if it be otherwise, he who has caused him to stumble will
require, as contributing towards his cure, to have "anass's millstone hanged...
Writings of Rufinus. Preface to the Commentary on the Benedictions...
... but hard to understand, impart to me also the knowledge of them; especially of that
passage which says: "Binding his colt to the vine and hisass's [2774] colt...
John Chapter xii. 26-Dec
... 5. "And Jesus, when He had found a youngass, sat thereon." Here the account is
briefly given: for how it all happened may be found at full length in the other...
The Old Testament Scriptures, and those Written by Moses in...
... nor a leader from his loins, until He come for whom it is laid up, and He is the
hope of the nations; binding His foal to the vine, and Hisass's colt to the...
Psalm XXXIV.
... Thou art anass's colt, but thou carriest Christ. For even He on anass's
colt came into the city; and that beast was gentle...."Be...
Oration on the Palms.
... us make way for Him who ascends over the heaven of heavens towards the East, [3124]
and who, of His good pleasure, is upon the earth mounted upon anass's colt...
The Debt of Iren??us to Justin Martyr
... For the colt of anass was standing at the entrance to a village, tied to a vine;
and this He commanded His disciples at that time to bring to Him; and when it...
Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... Binding hisass to a vine, and hisass's colt to the vine tendril; he shall wash
his garment in wine, and his clothes in the blood of the grapes....
Thesaurus
Ass's (7 Occurrences)...Ass's (7 Occurrences).
... On entering it you will find an
ass's foal tied up which
no one has ever yet ridden: untie it, and bring it here. (WEY).
...Foal (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The young of any animal of the Horse family (Equidae); a colt; a filly.
2. (vt) To bring forth (a colt); -- said of a mare or a sheass....
Ass (95 Occurrences)
... Of the domesticated species we read of,. (1.) The sheass (Hebrews `athon), so named
from its slowness (Genesis 12:16; 45:23; Numbers 22:23; 1 Samuel 9:3)....
Facing (79 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:2 saying to them, "Go to the village you see facing you, and as you
enter it you will find a she-ass tied up and a foal with her....
Ridden (5 Occurrences)
... Mark 11:2 "Go," He said, "to the village facing you, and immediately on entering
it you will find anass's foal tied up which no one has ever yet ridden: untie...
Mouth-bone (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:15 And taking up the mouth-bone of anass newly dead, which he saw by
chance on the earth, he put to death a thousand men with it. (BBE)....
Colt (15 Occurrences)
... with some word such as hupozugiou, understood; huios alone = "son"): The English
words "colt" and "foal" are used in the Bible of theass everywhere except in...
Assos (2 Occurrences)
Vesture (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, And hisass's colt unto the choice
vine; He hath washed his garments in wine, And his vesture in the blood of...
Knotting (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:11 Knotting hisass's cord to the vine, and his youngass to the best
vine; washing his robe in wine, and his clothing in the blood of grapes: (BBE)....
Resources
Bible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
