Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4600 Living beings  »  4633 donkey

A beast of burden, used to carry both goods and people.

Used for carrying goods

1 Samuel 16:20 See also Genesis 22:3-5; Genesis 42:27; Exodus 23:12 pp Deuteronomy 5:14 As beasts of burden they were afforded rest on the Sabbath.

Used for personal transport

1 Samuel 25:20; Matthew 21:7 See also Exodus 4:20

Balaam's talking donkey:

Numbers 22:22; 2 Peter 2:16 Joshua 15:18; Judges 19:28; 2 Samuel 17:23; Samuel 19:26; 1 Kings 13:23-29; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5; Luke 10:34; John 12:14

The value of donkeys

Exodus 22:4 See also Exodus 20:17 pp Deuteronomy 5:21; Exodus 22:9; Numbers 16:15; Deuteronomy 22:3-4; 1 Samuel 12:3; Job 24:3; Luke 13:15

Mistreatment of donkeys

Numbers 22:23 See also Deuteronomy 22:10

Sometimes found in the wild

Job 39:5 See also Job 6:5; Jeremiah 2:24; Hosea 8:9

Figurative use of the donkey

Genesis 16:12 See also Genesis 49:14; 2 Kings 6:25; Isaiah 1:3; Jeremiah 22:19

Samson and the donkey's jaw-bone

Judges 15:15-16

See also

2590  Christ, triumphal entry
4604  animals
4621  colt
4672  manger
5590  travel