Ass
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Thesaurus
Ass (95 Occurrences)
... Of the domesticated species we read of,. (1.) The she ass (Hebrews `athon), so named
from its slowness (Genesis 12:16; 45:23; Numbers 22:23; 1 Samuel 9:3). ...
/a/ass.htm - 48k

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). ...
/a/ass's.htm - 8k

Ass-colts (2 Occurrences)
Ass-colts. Assaying, Ass-colts. Assemblage . Multi-Version
Concordance Ass-colts (2 Occurrences). Judges 10:4 and he ...
/a/ass-colts.htm - 7k

Wild-ass (1 Occurrence)
Wild-ass. Wild, Wild-ass. Wild-cats . Multi-Version Concordance
Wild-ass (1 Occurrence). Genesis 16:12 And he will be ...
/w/wild-ass.htm - 6k

She-ass (2 Occurrences)
She-ass. Shears, She-ass. She-asses . Multi-Version Concordance
She-ass (2 Occurrences). Matthew 21:2 saying to them ...
/s/she-ass.htm - 6k

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 she ass. ...
/f/foal.htm - 11k

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 the ass everywhere except in ...
/c/colt.htm - 12k

Riding (30 Occurrences)
... WEB ASV NIV). John 12:15 "Fear not, Daughter of Zion! See, thy King is coming
riding on an ass's colt." (WEY). Revelation 19:14 The ...
/r/riding.htm - 16k

Saddleth (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 22:3 And Abraham riseth early in the morning, and saddleth his ass, and
taketh two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and he cleaveth the ...
/s/saddleth.htm - 7k

Samson (37 Occurrences)
... upon him, so that he broke loose from the two new ropes with which the 3,000 men
of Judah had bound him, and seizing a fresh jawbone of an ass he smote with it ...
/s/samson.htm - 37k

Bible Concordance
Ass (95 Occurrences)

Matthew 21:2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
(KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Matthew 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
(KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Matthew 21:7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
(KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Mark 11:2 "Go," He said, "to the village facing you, and immediately on entering it you will find an ass's foal tied up which no one has ever yet ridden: untie him and bring him here.
(WEY BBE)

Mark 11:4 So they went and found a young ass tied up at the front door of a house. They were untying it,
(WEY BBE)

Mark 11:5 And some of those who were there said to them, What are you doing, taking the ass?
(BBE)

Mark 11:7 And they took the young ass to Jesus, and put their clothing on him, and he got on his back.
(BBE)

Luke 13:15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
(KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Luke 14:5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?
(KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Luke 19:30 saying to them, "Go into the village facing you. 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 BBE)

Luke 19:33 And when they were getting the young ass, the owners of it said to them, Why are you taking the young ass?
(BBE)

Luke 19:35 And they took him to Jesus, and they put their clothing on the ass, and Jesus got on to him.
(BBE)

John 12:14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
(KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

John 12:15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
(KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

2 Peter 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
(KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Genesis 16:12 And he shall be as a wild ass among men; his hand'shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell over against all his brethren.
(ASV BBE DBY JPS YLT RSV)

Genesis 22:3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Genesis 42:27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Genesis 44:13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Genesis 49:14 Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 4:20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 13:13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 21:33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 22:2 If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.
(See RSV)

Exodus 22:4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Exodus 22:9 For every matter of trespass, whether it be for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any kind of lost thing, about which one says,'This is mine,' the cause of both parties shall come before God. He whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 22:10 If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 23:4 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 23:12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 34:20 But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 16:15 And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 22:21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 22:22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 22:25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 22:27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 22:28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 22:29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 22:30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 22:32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Numbers 22:33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 5:14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 5:21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor's.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 22:3 In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 22:4 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 22:10 Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 28:31 Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Joshua 6:21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Joshua 7:24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Joshua 15:18 And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Judges 1:14 And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Judges 6:4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Judges 10:4 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Judges 12:14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Judges 15:15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Judges 15:16 And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Judges 19:28 And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Samuel 12:3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Samuel 16:20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Samuel 22:19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Samuel 25:20 And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert on the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Samuel 25:23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Samuel 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

2 Samuel 19:26 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Kings 2:40 And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Kings 13:13 And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon,
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Kings 13:23 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Kings 13:24 And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcass was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcass.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Kings 13:27 And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Kings 13:28 And he went and found his carcass cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcass: the lion had not eaten the carcass, nor torn the ass.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Kings 13:29 And the prophet took up the carcass of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

2 Kings 4:24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

2 Kings 6:25 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

2 Kings 7:10 So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Job 6:5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 11:12 For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Job 24:3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Job 39:5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Psalms 32:9 Do not be like the horse or the ass, without sense; ...
(BBE)

Proverbs 26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 1:3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 21:7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:
(Root in KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Isaiah 32:20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Jeremiah 2:24 A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 22:19 He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Jeremiah 48:6 Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
(See RSV)

Hosea 8:9 For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has hired lovers for himself.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Zechariah 14:15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ass

Five Hebrew names of the genus Asinus occur in the Old Testament.

  1. Chamor denotes the male domestic ass.
  2. Athon , the common domestic she-ass.
  3. Air , the name of a wild ass, which occurs (Genesis 32:15; 49:11)
  4. Pere , a species of wild ass mentioned (Genesis 12:16)
  5. Arod occurs only in (Job 39:5) but in what respect it differs from the Pere is uncertain. The ass in eastern countries is a very different animal from what he is in western Europe. The most noble and honorable amongst the Jews were wont to be mounted on asses. (With us the ass is a symbol of stubbornness and stupidity, while in the East it is especially remarkable for its patience, gentleness, intelligence, meek submission and great power of endurance."--L. Abbott. The color is usually a reddish brown, but there are white asses, which are much prized. The ass was the animal of peace as the horse was the animal of war; hence the appropriateness of Christ in his triumphal entry riding on an ass. The wild ass is a beautiful animal.--ED.) Mr. Lavard remarks that in fleetness the wild ass (Asinus hemippus) equals the gazelle and to overtake it is a feat which only one or two of the most celebrated mares have been known to accomplish.
Scripture Alphabet Of Animals
Ass

Perhaps you may have seen the ass, though it is not very common in this country. It has some resemblance to a horse, but is not as large, and generally seems rather sleepy and dull. In some countries, such as those where the Bible was written, it is a fine large animal, and the people use it for riding. Some persons mentioned in the Bible owned a great many asses. Abraham had sheep, and oxen, and asses and camels; and Job had at one time five hundred asses, and afterwards he had a thousand. A great many years ago, long before Christ came into the world, the rich men and the judges used to ride upon asses: so we read in the Jud 5:10, "Speak, ye that ride upon white asses, ye that sit in judgment." After this time many fine horses were brought into those countries, and the kings and great men liked them for riding: so the ass was used by the poorer people who could not buy a horse. You remember that when our blessed Savior was entering Jerusalem a few days before his death, he rode upon an ass; thus showing his meekness and humility, even while the multitude were shouting his praises, and spreading their garments in the way to do him honor. How shall we be like our Savior, if we let pride stay in our hearts?

The ass is very gentle and patient, and does not seem angry even when he has a very heavy load to carry. I should be very sorry to have him treated unkindly. Though he seems so dull, he loves his master, and will sometimes find him out and run to him even when he is in a crowd of men. God says, in the Bible, "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." Is it not a sad thing that the dull ass should be more grateful than we are?

Would it not seem to you very wonderful to hear a dog or a horse speak, so that you could understand what he said? It would be a strange thing indeed-a miracle; but you will find in the Numbers 22 that an ass once spoke to his master. The master's name was Balaam. He was a wicked man, and he was riding on an ass to a place where he knew God did not wish him to go. As they were journeying an angel with a drawn sword in his hand stood in the way, but Balaam did not see him. The ass saw him, and was so afraid that she turned aside out of the road, and went into a field; then Balaam was angry and tried to drive her back into the way. They had now come to a path of the vineyards, having a wall on each side, and there the ass saw the bright angel again. In trying to avoid the angel, the ass crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; and he was more angry and struck her again. Then the angel went forward a little distance, and stood where the path was so narrow that it was impossible to pass him. The ass was now so much frightened that she would go no farther, and fell down in the road; and Balaam beat her in a great passion. Then the ass spoke to Balaam and said, "What have I done to thee that thou hast smitten me these three times?" And when Balaam exclaimed, "I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now would I kill thee," she only replied, "Am I not thine ass upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? Was I ever wont to do so unto thee?" Can we not learn, even from the ass, a lesson of meekness and patience?

The wild ass is often mentioned in the Bible, as in Psalm 104:11. "They (the springs) give drink to every beast of the field; the wild asses quench their thirst." They live in desert places, and go about in great companies with one for their leader. You will find these words about them in the Job 39: "Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass? Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing." Travellers who have seen great herds of wild asses say that the beautiful animal agrees exactly with this fine description, written so many years ago.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Ass

An animal well known for domestic uses; and frequently mentioned in Scripture. People of the first quality in Palestine rode on asses. Deborah, in her song, describes the nobles of the land as those who "ride on white asses," Jud 5:10. Compare Jud 10:4; 12:14. The oriental asses are not to be compared with those of northern countries; but are far more stately, active, and lively. Indeed, they were anciently, as still, highly prized; and were also preferred for riding, especially the she-asses, on account of their sure- footedness. Hence we so often find mention of she-asses alone.

The Wild Ass is a well-known oriental animal, often mentioned in Scripture, and is a much handsomer and more dignified animal than the common ass. These animals were anciently found in Palestine, Syria, Arabia Deserta, Mesopatamia, Phrygia, and Lycaonia; but they rarely occur in those regions at the present time, and seem to be almost entirely confined to Tartary, some parts of Persia, and India, and Africa. Their manners greatly resemble those of the wild horse. They assemble in troops under the conduct of a leader or sentinel, and are extremely shy and vigilant. They will, however, stop in the midst of their course, and even suffer the approach of man for an instant, and then dart off with the utmost rapidity. They have been at all times celebrated for their swiftness. Their voice resembles that of the common ass, but is shriller. Mr. Morier says, "We gave chase to two wild asses, which had so much more speed than our horses, that when they had got at some distance, they stood still and looked behind at us, snorting with their noses in the air, as if in contempt of our endeavors to catch them."

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Frequently mentioned throughout Scripture. Of the domesticated species we read of,

(1.) The she ass (Hebrews `athon), so named from its slowness (Genesis 12:16; 45:23; Numbers 22:23; 1 Samuel 9:3).

(2.) The male ass (Hebrews hamor), the common working ass of Western Asia, so called from its red colour. Issachar is compared to a strong ass (Genesis 49:14). It was forbidden to yoke together an ass and an ox in the plough (Deuteronomy 22:10).

(3.) The ass's colt (Hebrews `air), mentioned Judges 10:4; 12:14. It is rendered "foal" in Genesis 32:15; 49:11. (Comp. Job 11:12; Isaiah 30:6.) The ass is an unclean animal, because it does not chew the cud (Leviticus 11:26. Comp. 2 Kings 6:25). Asses constituted a considerable portion of wealth in ancient times (Genesis 12:16; 30:43; 1 Chronicles 27:30; Job 1:3; 42:12). They were noted for their spirit and their attachment to their master (Isaiah 1:3). They are frequently spoken of as having been ridden upon, as by Abraham (Genesis 22:3), Balaam (Numbers 22:21), the disobedient prophet (1 Kings 13:23), the family of Abdon the judge, seventy in number (Judges 12:14), Zipporah (Exodus 4:20), the Shunammite (1 Samuel 25:30), etc. Zechariah (9:9) predicted our Lord's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, "riding upon an ass, and upon a colt," etc. (Matthew 21:5, R.V.).

Of wild asses two species are noticed, (1) that called in Hebrew 'arod, mentioned Job 39:5 and Dan. 5:21, noted for its swiftness; and (2) that called pe're, the wild ass of Asia (Job 39:6-8; 6:5; 11:12; Isaiah 32:14; Jeremiah 2:24; 14:6, etc.). The wild ass was distinguished for its fleetness and its extreme shyness. In allusion to his mode of life, Ishmael is likened to a wild ass (Genesis 16:12. Here the word is simply rendered "wild" in the Authorized Version, but in the Revised Version, "wild-ass among men").

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A quadruped of the genus Equus (E. asinus), smaller than the horse, and having a peculiarly harsh bray and long ears. The tame or domestic ass is patient, slow, and sure-footed, and has become the type of obstinacy and stupidity. There are several species of wild asses which are swift-footed.

2. (n.) A dull, heavy, stupid fellow; a dolt.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ASS

as (chamowr or chamor, compare Arabic chamar, apparently connected with Arabic root 'achmar, "red," but referred by some to root hamal, "to carry"; also, but less commonly, both in Hebrew and in Arabic, 'athon, Arabic 'atan, used in Arabic only of the females; pereh, or pere', and `aradh, or `arodh, Arabic 'ard, "wild ass," and also `ayir, Arabic `air, "a young" or "wild ass").

1. Names:

The name `arodh (Job 39:5) is rare; onos (Matthew 21:2).

2. Meaning:

(1) Chamor is derived from the root which means, in all probability, "to carry a burden" (see Furst, Handworterbuch, ch-m-r ii), or "heap up." While no analogies are contained in the Old Testament this root occurs in New Hebrew. The Aramaic chamer, means "to make a ruin-heap" (from which the noun chamor, "a heap," used in Judges 15:16 in a play of words: "With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of an ass have I smitten a thousand men"). The root may also mean "to be red." In this case the nominal form chamor may have been derived from the reddish-brown skin of a certain type of the ass.

(2) 'Athon, Assyrian 'atanu and Aramaic 'atana', is derived from 'atha' "to come," "go," etc. (Furst suggests that it may be derived from 'athan, Aramaic `adhan, "to be slender," "docile," etc.); 'athonoth tsechoroth, "red-white asses" (Judges 5:10) designates a better breed.

(3) `Ayir, Arabic `airu ("male ass") used of the young and vigorous animal, is derived from the root `-y-r, "to go away," "escape through swiftness" (Hommel, Namen der Saugethiere, 121-23). This name is used as a parallel to beni 'athono (Genesis 49:11) and as a compound of `ayir pere' (Job 11:12), "a wild ass's colt."

(4) Pere', "wild ass," is derived from the root which means "to run," suggestive of the animal's swiftness. (5) `Arodh, is, in all probability, an Aramaic loan-word for the Hebrew pere'. The Targum uses `arodha' and `aradha'.

3. Uses:

From the references to these various names in the Old Testament it is clear that

(1) chamor was used for riding purposes:

(a) by men (2 Samuel 16:2, 23; 2 Samuel 19:26 1 Kings 2:40; 1 Kings 13:13, 23, 24, 27);

(b) by women (Exodus 4:20 Joshua 15:18 Judges 1:14 1 Samuel 25:20, 23, 42; compare 2 Chronicles 28:15). tsemedh chamorim, "a pair of asses" was used for riding as well as for burdens (Judges 19:3, 10, 19, 21, etc.).

(2) It was also used in tillage (Isaiah 32:20). In this connection the law prohibits the use of an ass in plowing with an ox (Deuteronomy 22:10). The she-ass ('athon) was used as a beast of burden (Genesis 45:23) and for riding (Judges 5:10 Numbers 22:21, 22 2 Kings 4:24). The 'ayir is also referred to as used in riding (Judges 10:4), carrying (Isaiah 30:6) and tilling (Isaiah 30:24).

4. As a Domestic Animal:

Besides the use of the ass in agriculture and riding it was employed in the caravans of commerce, and sent even upon long expeditions through the desert. The ass is and always has been one of the most common domestic animals. It is a much more important animal in Bible lands than in England and America. The humblest peasant owned his own ass. It is associated throughout the Bible with peaceful pursuits (Genesis 42:26; Genesis 22:3 1 Samuel 16:20 2 Samuel 19:26 Nehemiah 13:15), whereas the horse is referred to in connection with war and armies. Reference is also made to the use of the flesh of the ass in time of famine (2 Kings 6:25). The origin of the ass like that of most domestic animals is lost in antiquity and it cannot be confidently stated from what species of wild ass it was derived. There are three races of wild asses in Asia, one of which is found in Syria, but they may all be referred to one species, Equus hemionus. The African species is East asinus, and good authorities consider our domestic asses to have descended from this, and to have been introduced at an early period into the entire Orient. The Sulaib Arabs of the Syrian desert, who have no horses, have a famous breed of swift and hardy gray asses which they assert they cross at intervals with the wild asses of the desert. It is not unlikely that domestic asses like dogs are the result of crosses with more than one wild species.

As a domestic animal it preceded the horse, which was first introduced into Egypt by the Hyksos about 1800 B.C. See HORSE.

5. Figurative Uses in the Old Testament:

(1) chamorr garem, "an ass of strong bones," is used metaphorically of Issachar (Genesis 49:14); besar chamor, "the genital organ of an ass," is used in contempt (Ezekiel 23:20); qebhurath chamor, "the burial of an ass," is applied to ignominious treatment of a corpse (Jeremiah 22:19); chamor is used as a symbol of peace and humility (2 Samuel 19:26). Zechariah speaks of the future Messiah as "lowly, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass" (Zechariah 9:9; compare Matthew 21:5, 7).

(2) Pere' is used as a symbol of wildness (Hosea 8:9), and pere' 'adham, `a wild ass of man' (Genesis 16:12), referring to Ishmael, designates a free nomad. In Job the name pere' is applied to the desert dwellers (Job 24:5). Jeremiah employs this name as a symbol of lust. He compares Israel's love of idolatry to the lust of the wild ass (Jeremiah 2:24).

6. Wider Use in Literature:

The ass ('athon) figures prominently in the Balaam story (Numbers 22 2 Peter 2:16. See Gray, ICC, "Numbers," at the place). It is interesting to note that Apion charged the Jews that they "placed an ass's head in their holy place," affirming that "this was discovered when Antiochus Epiphanes spoiled our temple, and found that ass's head there made of gold, and worth a great deal of money." Josephus, refuting this absurdity, states that the Roman conquerors of Judea found nothing in the temple "but what was agreeable to the strictest piety." He goes on to say: "Apion ought to have had a regard to these facts.. As for us Jews, we ascribe no honor or power to asses, as do the Egyptians to crocodiles and asps.. Asses are the same with us which they are with other wise men; namely, creatures that bear the burdens that we lay upon them" (Apion, II, 7).

LITERATURE.

G. A. Smith, Jerusalem, I, 307; Gesenius' and Furst's Lexicons to the Old Testament; articles in Encyclopedia Biblica and HDB.

Samuel Cohon

Greek
3684. onikos -- of or for a donkey
... or for a donkey. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: onikos Phonetic Spelling:
(on-ik-os') Short Definition: pertaining to an ass Definition: pertaining ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3684.htm - 6k

3678. onarion -- a little donkey
... a little donkey. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: onarion Phonetic
Spelling: (on-ar'-ee-on) Short Definition: a young ass Definition: a young ass. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3678.htm - 6k

4454. polos -- a foal
... a foal. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: polos Phonetic Spelling:
(po'-los) Short Definition: a colt, young ass Definition: a colt, young ass ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4454.htm - 6k

3688. onos -- a donkey
... a donkey. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine; Noun, Masculine Transliteration: onos
Phonetic Spelling: (on'-os) Short Definition: a donkey, an ass Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3688.htm - 6k

5268. hupozugion -- a beast of burden or draught
... draught. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: hupozugion Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-od-zoog'-ee-on) Short Definition: a beast of burden, an ass or mule ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5268.htm - 6k

1649. elegxis -- reproof
... See 2 Pet 2:16 (the only occurrence of 1649 ) where the rebuke fits, being upbraided
by a (where the ass had more sense than Balaam)! See 1651 (). rebuke. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1649.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
2543. chamor -- a male ass
... 2542, 2543. chamor. 2544 . a male ass. Transliteration: chamor Phonetic
Spelling: (kham-ore') Short Definition: donkey. Word ... he-ass. Or ...
/hebrew/2543.htm - 6k

5895. ayir -- a male donkey
... From uwr in the sense of raising (ie Bearing a burden); properly, a young ass (as
just broken to a load); hence an ass-colt -- (ass) colt, foal, young ass. ...
/hebrew/5895.htm - 6k

6167. arad -- a wild donkey
... wild ass. (Aramaic) corresponding to arowd; an onager -- wild ass. see HEBREW
arowd. 6166b, 6167. arad. 6168 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6167.htm - 6k

6501. pere -- a wild donkey
... wild ass. Or pereh (Jeremiah 2:24) {peh'-reh}; from para' in the secondary sense
of running wild; the onager -- wild (ass). see HEBREW para'. 6500, 6501. ...
/hebrew/6501.htm - 6k

860. athon -- a female donkey
... she ass. Probably from the same as 'eythan (in the sense of patience); a female
donkey (from its docility) -- (she) ass. see HEBREW 'eythan. 859, 860. ...
/hebrew/860.htm - 6k

6171. arod -- a wild donkey
... wild ass. From the same as Arad; an onager (from his lonesome habits) -- wild ass.
see HEBREW Arad. 6170, 6171. arod. 6172 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6171.htm - 6k

5101. nahaq -- to bray, cry
... root Definition to bray, cry NASB Word Usage bray (1), cry (1). bray. A primitive
root; to bray (as an ass), scream (from hunger -- bray. 5100, 5101. ...
/hebrew/5101.htm - 5k

Library

The Ass and the Colt are the Old and the New Testament. Spiritual ...
... Tenth Book. 18. The Ass and the Colt are the Old and the New Testament. ... But
the foal is not a beast of burden in the same way as the ass. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/18 the ass and the.htm

The Absurd Cavil of the Ass's Head Disposed Of.
... Book I. Chapter XI. "The Absurd Cavil of the Ass's Head Disposed of. In this
matter we are (said to be) guilty not merely of forsaking ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xi name absurd cavil.htm

Of the Colt of the Ass which is Mentioned by Matthew, and of the ...
... Chapter LXVI."Of the Colt of the Ass Which is Mentioned by Matthew, and of the
Consistency of His Account with that of the Other Evangelists, Who Speak Only ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxvi of the colt of.htm

Jacob Predicted that Christ Would Ride on an Ass, and Zechariah ...
... Chapter LIII."Jacob predicted that Christ would ride on an ass, and Zechariah
confirms it. "And that expression, binding his foal ...
/.../chapter liii jacob predicted that christ.htm

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 an ass's� For,
like some others, you are under the delusion that our god is an ass's head. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xvi for like some.htm

Fragment Xl. "And He Found the Jaw-Bone of an Ass. ...
... Fragment XL. "And he found the jaw-bone of an ass.� "And [4880] he found
the jaw-bone of an ass." [4881] It is to be observed ...
/.../fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/fragment xl and he found.htm

"The Lord Hath Need of Him. " Mark xi, 3
... "THE LORD HATH NEED OF HIM." MARK xi, 3. What! of an Ass? ... It was in Christ's hands,
though, he improved so greatly. DOES THE LORD REALLY NEED AN ASS? Yes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/viii the lord hath need.htm

Matthew's Story of the Entry into Jerusalem. Difficulties Involved ...
... On the Lord's entering Jerusalem, he says, [5063] "All the city was stirred, saying,
Who is this?" But before this he has the story of the ass and the foal ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/17 matthews story of the.htm

The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes
of Moab. ... Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
... probably Bethphage, for Jesus started from Bethany] ^a that is over against you,
^b and straightway as ye enter into it, ^a ye shall find an ass tied, and a ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cv jesus triumphal entry into.htm

Subtopics

Ass

Donkey: Domesticated by Jesus

Donkey: Domesticated for Food

Donkey: Domesticated used for Riding

Donkey: Domesticated: Bridles For

Donkey: Domesticated: Carrying Burdens

Donkey: Domesticated: Drawing Chariots

Donkey: Domesticated: Firstlings of Redeemed

Donkey: Domesticated: Herds of

Donkey: Domesticated: Jawbone of, Used by Samson With Which to Kill Philistines

Donkey: Domesticated: Not to be Yoked With an Ox

Donkey: Domesticated: Rest on the Sabbath

Donkey: Wild

the Domestic Donkey was Used for Bearing Burdens

the Domestic Donkey was Used for Riding

the Domestic Donkey was Used in Agriculture

the Domestic Donkey was Used in Harness

the Domestic Donkey was Used in War

the Domestic Donkey: Fond of Ease

the Domestic Donkey: Formed a Part of Patriarchal Wealth

the Domestic Donkey: Governed by a Bridle

the Domestic Donkey: Judges of Israel Rode on White

the Domestic Donkey: Later Counted As an Ignoble Creature

the Domestic Donkey: Laws Respecting: Astray, to be Brought Back to Its Owners

the Domestic Donkey: Laws Respecting: Astray, to be Taken Care of Till Its Owner Appeared

the Domestic Donkey: Laws Respecting: Christ Entered Jerusalem On

the Domestic Donkey: Laws Respecting: Fallen Under a Burden, to be Assisted

the Domestic Donkey: Laws Respecting: First-Born of, If not Redeemed, to Have Its Neck Broken

the Domestic Donkey: Laws Respecting: Not to be Coveted

the Domestic Donkey: Laws Respecting: Not to be Yoked With an Ox

the Domestic Donkey: Laws Respecting: To Enjoy the Rest of the Sabbath

the Domestic Donkey: Miracles Connected With: A Thousand Men Slain by Samson With a Jaw-Bone of

the Domestic Donkey: Miracles Connected With: Eaten During Famine in Samaria

the Domestic Donkey: Miracles Connected With: Mouth of Balaam's Opened to Speak

the Domestic Donkey: Miracles Connected With: Not Torn by a Lion

the Domestic Donkey: Miracles Connected With: Water Brought from the Jaw-Bone of

the Domestic Donkey: Not Devoid of Instinct

the Domestic Donkey: Often Fed on Vine-Leaves

the Domestic Donkey: Often Taken Unlawfully by Corrupt Rulers

the Domestic Donkey: Persons of Rank Rode On

the Domestic Donkey: Strong

the Domestic Donkey: Trusty Persons Appointed to Take Care of

the Domestic Donkey: Unclean

the Domestic Donkey: Urged on With a Staff

the Domestic Donkey: Women often Rode On

the Domestic Donkey: Young, Most Valued for Labour

the Wild Donkey: Brays when Hungry

the Wild Donkey: Despises his Pursuers

the Wild Donkey: Fond of Liberty

the Wild Donkey: Inhabits Wild and Solitary Places

the Wild Donkey: Intractable

the Wild Donkey: Intractableness of Natural Man

the Wild Donkey: Israel in Their Love of Idols

the Wild Donkey: Ranges the Mountains for Food

the Wild Donkey: Suffers in Time of Scarcity

the Wild Donkey: Supported by God

the Wild Donkey: The Assyrian Power

the Wild Donkey: The Ishmaelites (Hebrew)

the Wild Donkey: The Wicked in Their Pursuit of Sin

the Wild Donkey: Unsocial

Related Terms

Ass's (7 Occurrences)

Ass-colts (2 Occurrences)

Wild-ass (1 Occurrence)

She-ass (2 Occurrences)

Foal (10 Occurrences)

Colt (15 Occurrences)

Riding (30 Occurrences)

Saddleth (5 Occurrences)

Samson (37 Occurrences)

Jaw-bone (3 Occurrences)

Man-servant (18 Occurrences)

Corpse (18 Occurrences)

Blows (105 Occurrences)

Cord (47 Occurrences)

Asses (68 Occurrences)

Turneth (249 Occurrences)

Smiteth (156 Occurrences)

Woman-servant (12 Occurrences)

Facing (79 Occurrences)

Rideth (15 Occurrences)

Manservant (14 Occurrences)

Mule (9 Occurrences)

Mouth-bone (3 Occurrences)

Burneth (67 Occurrences)

Bray (3 Occurrences)

Accustomed (15 Occurrences)

Sion (9 Occurrences)

Hamor (13 Occurrences)

Findeth (66 Occurrences)

Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)

Carcass (30 Occurrences)

Carcase (38 Occurrences)

Wouldest (66 Occurrences)

Loosed (41 Occurrences)

She-asses (7 Occurrences)

Covering (191 Occurrences)

Maidservant (73 Occurrences)

Neighbour (139 Occurrences)

Front (327 Occurrences)

Seated (252 Occurrences)

Balaam (62 Occurrences)

Road (155 Occurrences)

Ishmael (44 Occurrences)

Thereon (90 Occurrences)

Getting (151 Occurrences)

Clothing (288 Occurrences)

Smitten (215 Occurrences)

Gentle (48 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Knotting (3 Occurrences)

Neighbour's (30 Occurrences)

Openeth (48 Occurrences)

Onager (1 Occurrence)

Jair (14 Occurrences)

Lighteth (6 Occurrences)

Wont (19 Occurrences)

Withstand (22 Occurrences)

Withhold (32 Occurrences)

Triumphant (6 Occurrences)

Repayeth (16 Occurrences)

Ridden (5 Occurrences)

Emmor (1 Occurrence)

Donkey (84 Occurrences)

Mealtime (1 Occurrence)

Meals (8 Occurrences)

Meal-time (1 Occurrence)

Manger (7 Occurrences)

Meek (23 Occurrences)

Persuadeth (6 Occurrences)

Provender (10 Occurrences)

Battle-bow (2 Occurrences)

Battlebow

Beheaded (12 Occurrences)

Croucheth (2 Occurrences)

Crouching (8 Occurrences)

Cloaks (13 Occurrences)

Sitting (201 Occurrences)

Loose (219 Occurrences)

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