Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Significance: Ass-colts, or young donkeys, hold a notable place in biblical narratives and symbolism. In the ancient Near Eastern context, donkeys were valued for their strength, endurance, and ability to navigate difficult terrain. The ass-colt, being a young donkey, often symbolizes humility, peace, and service, contrasting with the horse, which is associated with war and conquest. Biblical References: Ass-colts are mentioned in several key biblical passages, often highlighting themes of humility and divine purpose. One of the most significant references is found in the prophecy of Zechariah and its fulfillment in the New Testament. 1. Zechariah 9:9 · The prophet Zechariah foretells the coming of a king who will bring salvation, riding on a donkey, specifically "on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This prophecy emphasizes the humility and peace of the Messiah's reign: "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." 2. Matthew 21:2-7 · The fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy is recorded in the Gospels, where Jesus instructs His disciples to find a donkey and a colt for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This event underscores Jesus' role as the peaceful Messiah: "saying to them, 'Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me.'" 3. Mark 11:2-7 · Similarly, the Gospel of Mark recounts Jesus' instructions to His disciples to fetch a colt that had never been ridden, further emphasizing the purity and newness of His mission: "and said to them, 'Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.'" Symbolic Meaning: The use of an ass-colt in these narratives is rich with symbolic meaning. In a culture where kings and conquerors would typically ride horses, Jesus' choice of a donkey colt signifies a different kind of kingship—one marked by humility and peace rather than military might. This choice aligns with the broader biblical theme of God using the humble and lowly to accomplish His purposes. Cultural Context: In biblical times, donkeys were common beasts of burden, used by people of all social standings. The choice of a colt, an unbroken young donkey, for Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, also signifies purity and the fulfillment of a divine plan, as it had not been used for ordinary purposes. Theological Implications: The imagery of the ass-colt in the Bible serves to highlight the nature of Christ's kingdom. It is a kingdom not of this world, characterized by peace, humility, and service. This stands in stark contrast to the expectations of a militant Messiah and challenges believers to embrace the values of Christ's upside-down kingdom. Conclusion: The ass-colt, while a humble creature, plays a pivotal role in the biblical narrative, especially in the context of messianic prophecy and fulfillment. Its presence in the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem serves as a powerful symbol of the nature of His mission and the values of His kingdom. Concordance Ass-colts (2 Occurrences)Judges 10:4 Judges 12:14 Thesaurus 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 Jair (14 Occurrences) Riding (30 Occurrences) Assemblage (20 Occurrences) Nephews (3 Occurrences) Judgeth (37 Occurrences) Assaying (1 Occurrence) Havothjair (2 Occurrences) Havoth-jair (3 Occurrences) Havvoth-jair (5 Occurrences) Resources I am Jewish, can I become a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Issachar? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |