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.

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

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

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 "an ass's millstone hanged ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/17 the little ones and.htm

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 his ass's [2774] colt ...
/.../writings of rufinus preface to.htm

John Chapter xii. 26-Dec
... 5. "And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon." Here the account is
briefly given: for how it all happened may be found at full length in the other ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate li john chapter xii.htm

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 His ass's colt to the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter x the old testament scriptures.htm

Psalm XXXIV.
... Thou art an ass's colt, but thou carriest Christ. For even He on an ass's
colt came into the city; and that beast was gentle...."Be ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxiv.htm

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 an ass's colt ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/oration on the palms.htm

The Debt of Iren??us to Justin Martyr
... For the colt of an ass 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 ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/ii the debt of irenaeus.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... Binding his ass to a vine, and his ass's colt to the vine tendril; he shall wash
his garment in wine, and his clothes in the blood of the grapes. ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

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

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

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

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. ...
/f/facing.htm - 31k

Ridden (5 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/r/ridden.htm - 8k

Mouth-bone (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:15 And taking up the mouth-bone of an ass newly dead, which he saw by
chance on the earth, he put to death a thousand men with it. (BBE). ...
/m/mouth-bone.htm - 7k

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

Assos (2 Occurrences)

/a/assos.htm - 10k

Vesture (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, And his ass's colt unto the choice
vine; He hath washed his garments in wine, And his vesture in the blood of ...
/v/vesture.htm - 9k

Knotting (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:11 Knotting his ass's cord to the vine, and his young ass to the best
vine; washing his robe in wine, and his clothing in the blood of grapes: (BBE). ...
/k/knotting.htm - 7k

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