In the biblical narrative, the mention of "thirty donkeys" is found in the context of the judgeship of Jair, one of the lesser-known judges of Israel. This reference is located in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 10:3-5. The passage in the Berean Standard Bible reads:

"After him, Jair the Gileadite arose and judged Israel twenty-two years. He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, and they had thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which are called Havvoth-jair to this day. And Jair died and was buried in Kamon."

The mention of thirty donkeys in this passage is significant for several reasons. In the ancient Near Eastern context, donkeys were valuable animals, often associated with wealth and status. They were used for transportation, carrying loads, and even as symbols of peace, as opposed to horses, which were often associated with war.

Jair's thirty sons riding on thirty donkeys suggests a picture of prosperity and authority. Each son having his own donkey indicates a level of affluence and the ability to maintain such a number of animals. This detail underscores Jair's status and the stability of his rule over Israel during his twenty-two-year judgeship.

Furthermore, the reference to "thirty towns" in the land of Gilead, known as Havvoth-jair, highlights the extent of Jair's influence and governance. The name "Havvoth-jair" translates to "villages of Jair," indicating that these towns were under his jurisdiction and possibly founded or fortified by him. The possession of these towns by his sons suggests a hereditary leadership, where Jair's family held significant control over the region.

The narrative of Jair and his thirty donkeys serves as a brief yet illustrative account of a period of peace and prosperity in Israel's history. It reflects the cyclical pattern in the Book of Judges, where periods of peace under a judge are followed by times of apostasy and oppression, necessitating the rise of another judge to deliver Israel.

In summary, the mention of thirty donkeys in the account of Jair the Gileadite is a testament to his wealth, the stability of his rule, and the influence of his family in the region of Gilead. This detail, while brief, provides insight into the socio-economic conditions of the time and the nature of leadership in ancient Israel.