Difference between revisions of "Ass"

<i> athon </i> &nbsp; Genesis 49:11&nbsp;Numbers 22:21-33&nbsp;Judges 5:10&nbsp;2 Kings 4:22&nbsp;Genesis 45:23&nbsp;1 Samuel 9:3&nbsp;Judges 10:4&nbsp;Judges 12:14 <i> ayir </i> &nbsp;Judges 5:10&nbsp;Genesis 12:16&nbsp;Genesis 32:15&nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:30&nbsp;Job 1:3&nbsp;Job 1:14&nbsp;Numbers 22:1 <i> athon </i> &nbsp;Zechariah 9:9 <p> 2. <i> Chamor </i> is the male ass, probably a reddish color according to the basic meaning of the Hebrew term. The original homeland of the ass ( <i> equus asinus </i> ) was probably Africa. It was both a riding animal (&nbsp;Genesis 22:3 ) and a beast of burden (&nbsp;Genesis 42:26 ), which could be used for plowing (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:10 , which forbids yoking an ass with an ox). For his hard work [[Issachar]] was pictured as a donkey (&nbsp;Genesis 49:14 ). An ass was valuable enough that the first born ass had to be ritually redeemed through sacrifice of a lamb (&nbsp;Exodus 13:13; &nbsp;Exodus 34:20 ) or by killing the newborn ass. In extreme famine conditions people would go so far as to pay astronomical prices for the head of an ass which they could eat (&nbsp;2 Kings 6:25 ). The ass was used to illustrate rampant sexual lust (&nbsp;Ezekiel 23:20 ). A donkey's burial was an unceremonious dumping on the garbage heap for the vultures and scavengers to eat up (&nbsp;Jeremiah 22:19 ). The rich possessed herds of donkeys (&nbsp;Genesis 24:35; &nbsp;Genesis 30:43 ) though the [[Egyptian]] farmers suffering under the famine also had asses to bring to [[Joseph]] in exchange for food (&nbsp;Genesis 47:17; compare &nbsp;Exodus 9:3; &nbsp;Exodus 20:17 ). The [[Messiah]] would ride on a donkey (&nbsp;Zechariah 9:9 ), the animal of the nobility in days when [[Israel]] did not have a king. The animal contrasted to the horse used in the kings' military exploits after Solomon's time (&nbsp;1 Kings 10:26 ) in violation of &nbsp;Deuteronomy 17:16 . The picture in &nbsp;Zechariah 9:1 thus joins the humble suffering servant and the royal Messiah. </p> <p> 3. <i> Ayir </i> refers to the stallion or young, vigorous male ass. These were apparently riding animals reserved for nobility (&nbsp; Judges 10:4; &nbsp;Judges 12:14; &nbsp;Zechariah 9:9 ). Isaiah described an unusual caravan on the way to Egypt including young donkeys and camels. The older donkeys would have been the more usual caravan members (&nbsp;Isaiah 30:6 ). Nomads in the desert often led caravans of donkeys and camels loaded with wares to sell. The day of God's salvation would include luxurious food for the donkeys who pulled the plows (&nbsp;Isaiah 30:24 ). The young wild ass can also be called <i> yir </i> (&nbsp; Job 11:12 ). </p> <p> 4. <i> [[Arad]] </i> and <i> arod </i> refers to the wild ass ( <i> asinus hemippus </i> ) that God created for freedom in the wilderness rather than to do slave labor for humans (&nbsp;Job 39:5 ). Such animals explore mountain pastures for food (&nbsp;Job 39:8 ). </p> <p> 5. <i> Pere' </i> is a wild donkey or onager which some Bible students identify with the zebra, but no evidence exists for zebras in Palestine. The Hebrew in &nbsp; Genesis 16:12 calls Ishmael “a wild ass of a man” (NRSV; see [[Niv; Tev; Nas]] ) because he would live in opposition to all other people. The wild donkey was known for its braying and for eating grass (&nbsp; Job 6:5 ). Such a wild animal can never be human (&nbsp;Job 11:12; compare various translations). It lives in the wilderness searching for food and helpless before the cold and rain (&nbsp;Job 24:5-8; compare &nbsp;Job 39:5 ). Without pastures, it breathes its last dying gasp (&nbsp;Jeremiah 14:6 ). They ventured into cities only when the cities were forsaken ruins (&nbsp;Isaiah 32:14 ). God had created them to be accustomed to life in the [[Judean]] wilderness (&nbsp;Jeremiah 2:24 ), where they freely pursued natural instincts and lusts. (Compare &nbsp;Hosea 8:9 ). </p> <p> 6. <i> Onarion </i> refers to a small donkey and appears only in &nbsp; John 12:14 to show the promise of &nbsp; Zechariah 9:9 was being fulfilled. </p> <p> 7. <i> Onos </i> can refer either to a male or female donkey. &nbsp; John 12:15 sees the ass as the parent of the colt on which Jesus rode, while &nbsp; Matthew 21:2 sees both an ass and a colt involved. These animals were kept in stalls and watered as a natural part of peasant life (&nbsp; Luke 13:15 ). They could easily get loose and fall into a pit (&nbsp;Luke 14:5 ). Jesus showed care for the animals which stricter Jews were prone to let lie in pits in order to obey religious rules. </p> <p> 8. <i> Hupozugion </i> literally means, “one under a yoke.” This is Matthew's term for the parent of the “foal of an ass” predicted in &nbsp; Zechariah 9:9 (&nbsp; Matthew 21:5 ). Peter used the term to refer to the animal which spoke to Balaam (&nbsp;2 Peter 2:16 ). </p> <p> The precise difference in meaning of the various words for “ass” is not always evident to modern Bible students, though the differences were surely clear to the original writers and readers. </p>

<p> Hebrew '''''Athon''''' ; from '''''Athan''''' , 'short in step". </p> <p> '''1.''' The domestic she ass, named so from its slowness. </p> <p> '''2.''' The '''''Chamor''''' , the he ass, whether domesticated or not, distinguished from the '''''Athon''''' ; &nbsp;Genesis 45:23. From '''''Chamar''''' , "red," as the Spaniards call the donkey "burro," from its red color. Used in riding and plowing. Not held in contempt for stupidity, as with us. Issachar is compared to an "ass, strong boned, crouching down between the hurdles (&nbsp;Genesis 49:14): he saw that rest was a good and the land pleasant; so he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became servant unto tribute;" ease at the cost of liberty would be his characteristic. Robust, and with a prime agricultural inheritance, his people would strive after material good, rather than political rule. The prohibition of horses rendered the donkey the more esteemed in Israel. In the E. it is a far superior animal to ours. </p> <p> The bearing of the [[Arab]] donkey is erect, the limbs well formed and muscular, and the gait graceful. It is spirited, and withal docile. The upper classes, judges, (as Jair's 30 sons, and Abdon's 40 sons and 30 nephews,) and kings, (as David and Solomon,) rode upon donkeys or mules (&nbsp;Judges 5:10; &nbsp;Judges 10:4; &nbsp;Judges 12:14; &nbsp;1 Kings 1:33). The white ass, combining symmetry with color, is especially esteemed. The ass, by its long hollow sharp-edged hoofs, is more sure footed than the flat hoofed horse; it suffers little from thirst, and is satisfied with prickly herbs, scarcely sweats at all, and so is best suited for the arid hilly regions of western Asia. It is lowly as compared with the horse; it symbolizes peace, as the horse does war, and as such bore the meek and lowly yet divinely royal Savior, the Prince of peace, in His triumphal entrance into His own capital (&nbsp;Zechariah 9:9); the young untamed colt bearing Him quietly marks His universal dominion over nature as well as spirit. </p> <p> It was not to be yoked with the ox (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:10); for the distinctions which God has fixed in nature are to be observed; humanity would forbid animals of such different size and strength being yoked together. [[Spiritually]] see &nbsp;2 Corinthians 6:14; &nbsp;Leviticus 19:19. As it did not chew the end (&nbsp;Leviticus 11:26), it was unclean; hence is marked the extremity of the famine in [[Samaria]] (&nbsp;2 Kings 6:25), when "an ass' head (an unclean beast from which they would ordinarily shrink) was sold for fourscore pieces of silver." "Balsam was rebuked for his iniquity, the voiceless beast of burden (ass) speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet" (&nbsp;2 Peter 2:16). It turned aside at the sight of the angel; but he, after God's express prohibition, wished to go for gain, a dumb beast forbidding an inspired prophet! The brute's instinctive obedience rebukes the gifted seer's self willed disobedience. Hosea (&nbsp;Hosea 8:9) compares Israel to a wild ass: "they are gone up to Assyria, (whereas he ought to dwell) a wild donkey alone by himself" (&nbsp;Numbers 23:9). </p> <p> The stubborn wild donkey is wiser than Ephraim, for it avoids intercourse with others through love of freedom, whereas [[Ephraim]] courts alliances fatal to his freedom. (Maurer.) In &nbsp;Jeremiah 2:24 headstrong, undisciplinable obstinacy, and untamable perversity, and lust after the male, answering to Israel's spiritual lust after idols and alliances with pagan, are the point (&nbsp;Hosea 2:6-7): "all they (the males) that seek her will not (have no need to) weary themselves in searching for her, in her month (the season when sexual impulse is strongest), they shall find her" putting herself in their way, and not needing to be sought cut by the males. </p> <p> '''3.''' The '''''Arod''''' , the '''''Khur''''' of Persia; light red, gray beneath, without stripe or cross; or the wild mule of Mongolia, superior to the wild donkey in beauty, strength and swiftness, called so either from the sound of the word resembling neighing, or from the Arabic arad, "flee." </p> <p> '''4.''' ''''''Αir''''' , from ''''''Ir''''' , to be fervent, lustful; so the '''''Chamor''''' , perhaps from '''''Chamar''''' , "fervent in lust" (&nbsp;Ezekiel 23:20). "Young asses; ... donkey colts" (&nbsp;Isaiah 30:6; &nbsp;Isaiah 30:24). </p> <p> '''5.''' '''''Ρere''''' , the wild donkey of Asia; the '''''Ghoorkhur''''' , mouse brown, with a broad dorsal stripe, but no cross on the shoulders, the Latin onager (&nbsp;Genesis 16:12): Ishmael "shall be a wild donkey man;" from '''''Paro''''' , "to run swiftly "; compare &nbsp;Job 39:5; "who hath sent out the wild donkey ( '''''Pereh''''' ) free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild donkey ( '''''Arod''''' )?" [[Doubtless]] some of the most useful animals to man were created to be, from man's first being, his domestic attendants. Possibly some of the wild species have sprung from those originally tame. The wild asses' characteristics noticed in holy writ are their love of unrestrained freedom, self will in pursuit of lust (&nbsp;Jeremiah 2:24), fondness for solitary places (&nbsp;Hosea 8:9), standing on high places when athirst (&nbsp;Jeremiah 14:6; when even the '''''Pere''''' , usually so inured to want of water, suffers, the drought must be terrible indeed). </p>

<p> &nbsp;Genesis 49:14 (a) Here we have a type of the consecrated believer who is willing to be a burden bearer for GOD and for man. He bears the burdens of GOD's people, and carries them to GOD. He bears the burden of GOD's message, and carries it to the people. He realizes that a path of rest and peace is good for GOD's. people, and he wants to share in the work of making it possible. </p> <p> This may also be a type of the Lord [[Jesus]] Himself. [[Certainly]] He is our burden bearer; he bears the burden of our relationship to GOD, and also our relationship to other people. He too sees that rest is good, and calls on us to cast every burden upon Him, so that we may be free ourselves to carry the burdens of others. Certainly this is a wonderful picture of the ministry of [[Christ Jesus]] our Lord. (See &nbsp;Matthew 11:28). </p> <p> &nbsp;Exodus 13:13 (c) The ass in this passage is typical of the sinner who must be redeemed by the death of the Lamb of GOD, or else be himself lost under the judgment of GOD. </p> <p> &nbsp;Job 11:12 (a) The ass represents the unsaved parent who gives birth to on unsaved child (the colt). The thought of being "wild" is that the natural man wants no restraint nor does he want to be hindered in his movements. We see this plainly in the little child who wants to do as he pleases on his earliest days. It is carried out through life unless the restraining power of GOD is brought to bear upon him. </p> <p> &nbsp;Isaiah 1:3 (b) This ass is a type of the unsaved person and of any who are not interested in GOD but only want His blessings and His gifts. The ox in the passage is a type of the believer who loves the Lord and cares more for the giver than for the gift. </p> <p> &nbsp;Zechariah 9:9 (c) This ass, as the one in &nbsp;John 12:14, represents the believer, who being set free from his old bondage carries the Lord JESUS about wherever he goes so that others may see and know Him. </p> <p> (taken from "Number in Scripture") </p> <p> "The 'ass' is the only animal that man is compared to: see &nbsp;Job 11:12, "For vain man would be wise, though man be born a wild ass's colt." </p> <p> In &nbsp;Exodus 13:13, the first-born of man is classed with the firstling of an ass. Both must be redeemed with a lamb. This is repeated in Exodus 34:20. Nothing less than a sacrificial redemptive act could bring such a being to GOD. </p> <p> There are28 (4 x7) asses separately spoken of, and with these may be compared the28 (4 x7) 'times' connected with 'vain man' in &nbsp;Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. </p> <p> 1. Balaam's ass ( &nbsp;Numbers 22:21), "a time to speak." </p> <p> 2. Achsah's ass ( &nbsp;Joshua 15:18), "a time to get," when she lighted off her ass to make her request and get what she asked. </p> <p> 3. Samson's ( &nbsp;Judges 15:15), "a time to war." </p> <p> 4. The Levite's ( &nbsp;Judges 19:28), "a time to be silent," when "none answered," and he sent his desperate, silent message throughout Israel. </p> <p> 5. Abigail's ( &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:20), "a time of peace," when she met David and made peace for Nahal. </p> <p> 6. Her second ass ( &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:42), "a time to love," when she went to meet David and became his wife. </p> <p> 7. Ahithophel's ( &nbsp;2 Samuel 17:23), "a time to die," when he saddled his ass and went and hanged himself. </p> <p> 8. The "old prophet's" ass ( &nbsp;1 Kings 13:23-24), "a time to kill," when he found "the man of God" killed by the lion. </p> <p> 9. The "man of God's" ass ( &nbsp;1 Kings 13:29), "a time to mourn," when the old prophet laid him thereon "to mourn and to bury him." </p> <p> 10. The Shunamite's ass ( &nbsp;2 Kings 4:24-37), "a time to heal," when she rode to Elisha, who restored her son. </p> <p> 11. Mephibosheth's ( &nbsp;2 Samuel 19:26), "a time to embrace," when he would go and salute David. </p> <p> 12. Shimei's ( &nbsp;1 Kings 2:40-46), "a time to die." </p> <p> 13. Jesse's ( &nbsp;1 Samuel 16:20), "a time to live" (21). </p> <p> 14. Moses' ( &nbsp;Exodus 4:20-26), "a time to kill," when he incurred the judgment of Genesis 17:14, and fulfilled the truth. </p> <p> 15. Abraham's ( &nbsp;Genesis 22:3), "a time to get and a time to lose," when GOD demanded back the son He had given. </p> <p> 16. The Saviour's ass ( &nbsp;Matthew 21:5, Matthew 21:9), "a time to laugh," when the daughter of Jerusalem rejoiced. </p> <p> 17. The young, its foal ( &nbsp;Matthew 21:5). </p> <p> 18-28. The asses of Jacob's sons ( &nbsp;Genesis 44:13), filling up the other "times." </p>

<p> <strong> ASS </strong> ( <em> hamôr </em> ; ‘she-ass,’ <em> ’âthon </em> [Gr. <em> onos </em> of both sexes]; ‘young ass’ or ‘colt,’ <em> ‘ayir </em> [Gr. <em> pôlos </em> ]; ‘wild ass,’ <em> pere </em> ’ and <em> ‘ârôdh </em> ). The ass (Arab. [Note: Arabic.] <em> hamar </em> ) is the most universally useful domesticated animal in Palestine. On it the <em> fellah </em> rides to his day’s work, with it he ploughs his fields, threshes out his corn, and at last carries home the harvest (&nbsp; Nehemiah 13:15 ). Whole groups of donkeys traverse every road carrying corn (&nbsp; Genesis 42:26-27 ), fire-wood (&nbsp; Genesis 22:3 ), provisions (&nbsp; 1 Samuel 16:20 ), skins of water or baskets full of sand, stone or refuse. A group of such animals are so accustomed to keep together that they would do so even if running away (&nbsp; 1 Samuel 9:3; &nbsp; 1 Samuel 9:20 ). The little ass carrying the barley, which leads every train of camels, is a characteristic sight. Whenever the traveller journeys through the land, the braying of the ass is as familiar a sound as the barking of the village dog. The man of moderate means when journeying rides an ass, often astride his bedding and clothes, as doubtless was done by many a [[Scripture]] character (&nbsp; Numbers 22:21-38 , &nbsp; Joshua 15:18 , &nbsp; 1 Samuel 25:20-28 , &nbsp; 2 Samuel 17:23; &nbsp; 2 Samuel 19:26 etc.). A well-trained ass will get over the ground rapidly at a pace more comfortable than that of an ordinary horse; it is also very sure-footed. The man of position in the town, the sheikh of the mosque, lawyer or medical man indeed, any peaceful citizen is considered suitably mounted on donkey-back, especially if the animal is white (&nbsp; Judges 5:10 ). A well-bred white ass fetches a higher price than a fairly good horse. A she-ass (Arab. [Note: Arabic.] <em> ’atar </em> ) is preferred (&nbsp; Numbers 22:21-33 , &nbsp; 1 Samuel 9:3 , &nbsp; 2 Kings 4:22-24 , &nbsp; 1 Chronicles 27:30 ), because quieter and more easily left tied up; a strong mals is almost uncontrollable at times, and gives vent to the most dismal brays as he catches sight of female asses. The castrated animal is not often seen, because frequently wanting in ‘go’ and very timid. She-asses are also, when of valuable breed, prized for breeding purposes. The common ass is brown, sometimes almost black or grey. Skeletons of asses are not uncommon by the high-road sides, and the jawbone might be a not unhandy weapon in an emergency (&nbsp; Judges 15:16 , where the play on the word ‘ass’ [ <em> hamôr </em> ] and ‘heap’ [ <em> hamôr </em> ] should be noticed). Although the ass was forbidden food to the Jews, we read (&nbsp; 2 Kings 6:25 ) that ‘an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver’ in the extremity of famine in besieged Samaria. In ploughing, the modern <em> fellahin </em> actually seem to prefer to yoke together an ox and an ass, or a camel and an ass (contrast &nbsp; Deuteronomy 22:10 ). The idea of the stupidity of the ass is the same in the East as in the West. </p> <p> The young ass (&nbsp;Isaiah 30:5; &nbsp; Isaiah 30:24 ) or colt (&nbsp; Job 11:12 , &nbsp; Zechariah 9:9 , &nbsp; Luke 19:33 etc.), the Arab. [Note: Arabic.] <em> jahsh </em> , is referred to several times. Little colts of very tender age trot beside their mothers, and soon have small burdens put on them. They should not be regularly ridden for three years. The young asses in the Bible are all apparently old enough for riding or burden-bearing. </p> <p> Wild asses are not to-day found in Palestine, though, it is said, plentiful in the deserts to the East (&nbsp;Job 24:5 ), where they roam in herds and run with extraordinary fleetness (&nbsp; Job 39:5 ). Ishmael is compared in his wildness and freedom to a wild ass (&nbsp; Genesis 16:12 ), while Issachar is a wild ass subdued (&nbsp; Genesis 49:14; &nbsp; Genesis 49:16 ). </p> <p> [[E. W. G]]  Masterman. </p>

<li> The ass's colt (Heb. 'air), mentioned &nbsp;Judges 10:4; &nbsp;12:14 . It is rendered "foal" in &nbsp;Genesis 32:15; &nbsp;49:11 . (Compare &nbsp;Job 11:12; &nbsp;Isaiah 30:6 .) The ass is an unclean animal, because it does not chew the cud (&nbsp;Leviticus 11:26 . Compare &nbsp;2 Kings 6:25 ). [[Asses]] constituted a considerable portion of wealth in ancient times (&nbsp;Genesis 12:16; &nbsp;30:43; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:30; &nbsp;Job 1:3; &nbsp;42:12 ). They were noted for their spirit and their attachment to their master (&nbsp;Isaiah 1:3 ). They are frequently spoken of as having been ridden upon, as by Abraham (&nbsp;Genesis 22:3 ), Balaam (&nbsp;Numbers 22:21 ), the disobedient prophet (&nbsp;1 Kings 13:23 ), the family of [[Abdon]] the judge, seventy in number (&nbsp;Judges 12:14 ), [[Zipporah]] (&nbsp;Exodus 4:20 ), the [[Shunammite]] (&nbsp;1 Samuel 25:30 ), etc. (&nbsp;Zechariah 9:9 ) predicted our Lord's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, "riding upon an ass, and upon a colt," etc. (&nbsp;Matthew 21:5 , RSV). <p> Of wild asses two species are noticed, (1) that called in Hebrew <i> 'Arod </i> , [[Mentioned]] &nbsp; Job 39:5 and &nbsp; Daniel 5:21 , noted for its swiftness; and (2) that called <i> Pe're </i> , The wild ass of Asia (&nbsp; Job 39:6-8; &nbsp;6:5; &nbsp;11:12; &nbsp;Isaiah 32:14; &nbsp;Jeremiah 2:24; &nbsp;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 (&nbsp;Genesis 16:12 . Here the word is simply rendered "wild" in the Authorized Version, but in the Revised Version, "wild-ass among men"). </p> <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton [[M.A., DD]]  Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Ass'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/a/ass.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<div> '''1: '''''Ὄνος''''' ''' (Strong'S #3688 — Noun — onos — on'-os ) </div> <p> is the usual word. Onarion, the diminutive of onos, "a young ass, or ass's colt," is used in &nbsp;John 12:14 , together with onos. </p> <div> '''2: '''''Ὑποζύγιον''''' ''' (Strong'S #5268 — Adjective — hupozugion — hoop-od-zoog'-ee-on ) </div> <p> lit., "under a yoke" (hupo, "under," zugos, "a yoke"), is used as an alternative description of the same animal, in &nbsp;Matthew 21:5 , where both words are found together, "Behold, thy king cometh unto thee, meek and riding upon an ass (onos), and upon a colt the foal of an ass (hupozugion)." It was upon the colt that the Lord sat, &nbsp;John 12:14 . In &nbsp;2 Peter 2:16 , it is used of Balaam's "ass." </p>

<p> '''Ass.''' Five Hebrew names of the genus '''Asinus''' occur in the Old Testament. </p> <p> 1. '''Chamor''' denotes the male domestic ass. </p> <p> 2. '''Athon''' , the common domestic she-ass. </p> <p> 3. [[Air]] , the name of a wild ass, which occurs &nbsp;Genesis 32:15; &nbsp;Genesis 49:11. </p> <p> 4. '''Pere''' , a species of wild ass mentioned &nbsp;Genesis 12:16. </p> <p> 5. [[Arod]] occurs only in &nbsp;Job 39:5, but in what respect it differs from the '''Pere''' is uncertain. </p> <p> 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. </p> <p> (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. - Editor). </p> <p> 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. </p>

<p> ''''' as ''''' ( חמור , <i> ''''' ḥămōwr ''''' </i> or חמר , <i> ''''' ḥămōr ''''' </i> , compare Arabic <i> ''''' ḥamār ''''' </i> , apparently connected with Arabic root <i> ''''' 'aḥmar ''''' </i> , "red," but referred by some to root <i> ''''' hamal ''''' </i> , "to carry"; also, but less commonly, both in Hebrew and in Arabic, א תון , <i> ''''' 'āthōn ''''' </i> , Arabic <i> ''''' 'atan ''''' </i> , used in Arabic only of the females; פרה , <i> ''''' pereh ''''' </i> , or פרא , <i> ''''' pere' ''''' </i> , and ערד , <i> ''''' ‛ărādh ''''' </i> , or ערוד , <i> ''''' ‛ārōdh ''''' </i> , Arabic <i> ''''' ‛ard ''''' </i> , "wild ass," and also עיר , <i> ''''' ‛ayir ''''' </i> , Arabic <i> ''''' ‛aı̄r ''''' </i> , "a young" or "wild ass"). </p> 1. [[Names]] <p> The name ה , <i> ''''' 'arodh ''''' </i> (&nbsp;Job 39:5 ) is rare; ονος , <i> ''''' onos ''''' </i> (&nbsp;Matthew 21:2 ). </p> 2. Meaning <p> (1) <i> ''''' Ḥămōr ''''' </i> is derived from the root which means, in all probability, "to carry a burden" (see Fürst, <i> Handwörterbuch </i> , חמר ii), or "heap up." While no analogies are contained in the Old [[Testament]] this root occurs in New Hebrew. The [[Aramaic]] חמר , <i> ''''' ḥamēr ''''' </i> , means "to make a ruin-heap" (from which the noun <i> ''''' ḥămōr ''''' </i> , "a heap," used in &nbsp;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 <i> ''''' ḥămōr ''''' </i> may have been derived from the reddish-brown skin of a certain type of the ass. </p> <p> (2) <i> ''''' 'Āthōn ''''' </i> , [[Assyrian]] <i> ''''' 'atânu ''''' </i> and Aramaic אתּנא , <i> ''''' 'atānā' ''''' </i> , is derived from אתא , <i> ''''' 'āthā' ''''' </i> "to come," "go," etc. (Fürst suggests that it may be derived from אתן , <i> ''''' 'āthan ''''' </i> , Aramaic עדן , <i> ''''' ‛ādhan ''''' </i> , "to be slender," "docile," etc.); אתונות צחורות , <i> ''''' 'ăthōnōth ceḥōrōth ''''' </i> , "red-white asses" (&nbsp;Judges 5:10 ) designates a better breed. </p> <p> (3) <i> ''''' ‛Ayir ''''' </i> , Arabic <i> ''''' ‛airu ''''' </i> ("male ass") used of the young and vigorous animal, is derived from the root עיר , "to go away," "escape through swiftness" (Hommel, <i> Namen der Saugethiere </i> , 121-23). This name is used as a parallel to בּני אתונו , <i> ''''' benı̄ 'ăthōnō ''''' </i> (&nbsp;Genesis 49:11 ) and as a compound of עיר פרא , <i> ''''' ‛ayir pere' ''''' </i> (&nbsp;Job 11:12 ), "a wild ass's colt." </p> <p> (4) <i> ''''' Pere' ''''' </i> , "wild ass," is derived from the root which means "to run," suggestive of the animal's swiftness. </p> <p> (5) <i> ''''' ‛Ārōdh ''''' </i> , is, in all probability, an Aramaic loan-word for the Hebrew <i> ''''' pere' ''''' </i> ̌ . The [[Targum]] uses ארודא , <i> ''''' ‛ărōdhā' ''''' </i> and ערדא , <i> ''''' ‛ărādhā' ''''' </i> ̌ . </p> 3. Uses <p> From the references to these various names in the Old Testament it is clear that (1) <i> ''''' ḥămōr ''''' </i> was used for riding purposes: ( <i> a </i> ) by men (&nbsp;2 Samuel 16:2 , &nbsp;2 Samuel 16:23; &nbsp;2 Samuel 19:26; &nbsp;1 Kings 2:40; &nbsp;1 Kings 13:13 , &nbsp;1 Kings 13:23 , &nbsp;1 Kings 13:24 , &nbsp;1 Kings 13:27 ); ( <i> b </i> ) by women (&nbsp;Exodus 4:20; &nbsp;Joshua 15:18; &nbsp;Judges 1:14; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:20 , &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:23 , &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:42; compare &nbsp;2 Chronicles 28:15 ). צמד המורים , <i> ''''' cemedh ḥămōrı̄m ''''' </i> , "a pair of asses" was used for riding as well as for burdens (&nbsp;Judges 19:3 , &nbsp;Judges 19:10 , &nbsp;Judges 19:19 , &nbsp;Judges 19:21 , etc.). (2) It was also used in tillage (&nbsp;Isaiah 32:20 ). In this connection the law prohibits the use of an ass in plowing with an ox (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:10 ). The she-ass ( <i> ''''' 'āthōn ''''' </i> ) was used as a beast of burden (&nbsp;Genesis 45:23 ) and for riding (&nbsp;Judges 5:10; &nbsp;Numbers 22:21 , &nbsp;Numbers 22:22; &nbsp;2 Kings 4:24 ). The <i> ''''' ‛ayir ''''' </i> is also referred to as used in riding (&nbsp;Judges 10:4 ), carrying (&nbsp;Isaiah 30:6 ) and tilling (&nbsp;Isaiah 30:24 ). </p> 4. As a [[Domestic]] [[Animal]] <p> 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 (&nbsp;Genesis 42:26 f; &nbsp; Genesis 22:3; &nbsp;1 Samuel 16:20; &nbsp;2 Samuel 19:26; &nbsp;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 (&nbsp;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, <i> Equus hemionus </i> . The African species is <i> E. asinus </i> , 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 <i> ''''' Ṣulaib ''''' </i> 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. </p> <p> As a domestic animal it preceded the horse, which was first introduced into Egypt by the [[Hyksos]] about 1800 bc. See [[Horse]] . </p> 5. Figurative Uses in the Old Testament <p> (1) חמור גרם , <i> ''''' ḥămōrr gārem ''''' </i> , "an ass of strong bones," is used metaphorically of Issachar (&nbsp;Genesis 49:14 ); בּשׂר חמור , <i> ''''' besar ḥămōr ''''' </i> , "the genital organ of an ass," is used in contempt (&nbsp;Ezekiel 23:20 ); קביּרת חמור , <i> ''''' ḳebhūrath ḥămōr ''''' </i> , "the burial of an ass," is applied to ignominious treatment of a corpse (&nbsp;Jeremiah 22:19 ); ר , <i> ''''' chamor ''''' </i> is used as a symbol of peace and humility (&nbsp;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" (&nbsp;Zechariah 9:9; compare &nbsp;Matthew 21:5 , &nbsp;Matthew 21:7 ). </p> <p> (2) <i> ''''' Pere' ''''' </i> is used as a symbol of wildness (&nbsp;Hosea 8:9 ), and פרא אדם , <i> ''''' pere' 'ādhām ''''' </i> , 'a wild ass of man' (&nbsp;Genesis 16:12 ), referring to Ishmael, designates a free nomad. In Job the name <i> ''''' pere' ''''' </i> is applied to the desert dwellers (&nbsp;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 (&nbsp;Jeremiah 2:24 ). </p> 6. Wider Use in Literature <p> The ass ( <i> ''''' 'āthōn ''''' </i> ) figures prominently in the Balaam story (Nu 22; &nbsp;2 Peter 2:16 . See Gray, <i> ICC </i> , "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" ( <i> Apion </i> , II, 7). </p> Literature <p> [[G. A]]  Smith, <i> Jerusalem </i> , I, 307ff; Gesenius' and Fürst's Lexicons to the Old Testament; articles in <i> Encyclopedia Biblica </i> and <i> HDB </i> . </p>

<p> (properly '''''חֲמוֹר''''' , ''Chamor','' from the [[Reddish]] dun color of the hair of the wild ass; female '''''אָתוֹן''''' , ''Athon';'' Gr. '''''Ὄνος''''' ), </p> <p> '''(I.)''' a domestic animal (&nbsp;Genesis 12:16; &nbsp;Genesis 24:35; &nbsp;Genesis 30:43; &nbsp;Genesis 32:5; &nbsp;Joshua 6:21; &nbsp;Joshua 7:24; comp. &nbsp;Exodus 20:17; &nbsp;Exodus 22:4; &nbsp;Exodus 23:4 sq.; &nbsp;1 Samuel 8:16; &nbsp;Luke 13:15; &nbsp;Luke 14:5), found generally in the East (comp. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:30; for Mosaic precepts respecting the animal, see &nbsp;Exodus 20:17; &nbsp;Exodus 21:33; &nbsp;Exodus 22:10; &nbsp;Exodus 23:4 sq.; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:3 sq.; comp. Mishna, ''Baba Mtez. 6:'' 3; ''Baba Bathra,'' v, 2), and very serviceable (particularly in the cultivation of the soil, Varro, [[''R. R'']]  ii, 6; Pallad. 18:14), although not to be compared with the modern ass of northern countries, but by far more stately (Olear. ''Trav.'' p. 301, estimates a [[Persian]] ass to be worth nearly $100; comp. Plin. 8:68; see Hasselquist, Tray. p. 67), more active, more mettlesome, and quicker (according to Niebuhr, Reisen, i, 311, an ass of ordinary speed will go over 1750 double paces of a man in half an hour: comp. Abdallatif, Denkw. p. 1375; Sonini, ii, 89 sq.). Asses were therefore (as still) held in great estimation; so that while with us the word ass is a low term of contempt, with the Orientals anciently as now the very opposite was the case (&nbsp;Genesis 49:14; comp. ''Iliad, 11:'' 588 sq.; see D'Herbelot, Biblioth. Or. s.v. Hamar; Freytag, [[Ad]] select. ex histor. Halebi, p. 59; Gessner, in the Commentar. Soc. Gott. ii, 32 sq.; Jablonski, Panth. DEg. iii, 45; Michaelis, in the Commentar. Soc. Gott. 4:6 sq.). </p> <p> The ass (perhaps the young ass, &nbsp;Job 1:3; &nbsp;Numbers 22:21; &nbsp;2 Kings 4:24; &nbsp;Matthew 21:2 sq.) was, on account of his sure step over hilly tracts, the usual animal for riding (&nbsp;Exodus 4:20; &nbsp;Numbers 22:21; &nbsp;Judges 10:4; &nbsp;Judges 12:14; &nbsp;1 Kings 2:40; &nbsp;1 Kings 13:27; &nbsp;2 Samuel 19:26), even for ladies (&nbsp;Joshua 15:18; &nbsp;Judges 1:14; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:23; &nbsp;2 Kings 4:22; &nbsp;2 Kings 4:24; comp. Fabric. Cod. Apogr. i, 104; see Niebuhr, Beschr. p. 44; Schwei- ger,'Reisen, p. 272; Rosenmuller, Morgenl. iii, 222) and nobles (&nbsp;2 Samuel 17:23; &nbsp;1 Kings 13:13; &nbsp;1 Kings 13:23; &nbsp;Zechariah 9:9; comp. &nbsp;Matthew 21:2 sq. [see Lightfoot, Hor. Heb. in loc. p. 408; Schottgen, i, 169 sq.]; &nbsp;Mark 11:1 sq.; &nbsp;Luke 19:29 sq.; &nbsp;John 12:14 sq.; see Russel, ''Aleppo,'' ii, 49; Pococke, ''East,'' i, 309). The last preferred [[Dappled]] asses, i.e. such as had a brownish-red skin marked with white streaks (&nbsp;Judges 5:10; comp. Morier, Trav. p. 136; Paulus, Samil. i, 244). No saddle, however, was used from the earliest time (Hasselquist, Trav. p. 66), but simply a covering consisting of a piece of cloth or a cushion (hence '''''חֲמֹר''''' '''''חָבוּשׁ''''' , a [[Bound]] or girt ''Ass,'' means a beast saddled and bridled, &nbsp;Genesis 21:3; &nbsp;Numbers 22:21; &nbsp;Judges 19:10), so that the driver (&nbsp;Judges 19:3; &nbsp;2 Kings 4:24; Talm. '''''חִמָּר''''' , ''Chammar','' Mishna, ''Erub. 4:'' 10, etc.) ran beside or behind the rider (Hasselquist, ''Trav.'' p. 66). </p> <p> The ass, moreover, was not only employed for bearing burdens (&nbsp;Nehemiah 13:15; &nbsp;Joshua 9:4; &nbsp;1 Samuel 16:20; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:18), but even for distant journeys (&nbsp;Genesis 43:26; &nbsp;Genesis 44:3; &nbsp;Genesis 44:13; &nbsp;Genesis 45:23; comp. Josephus, ''Life,'' 24; Mishna. ''Parah, 12:'' 9), and also for drawing the plough (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 22:10; comp. &nbsp;Exodus 23:12; &nbsp;Isaiah 30:24; &nbsp;Isaiah 32:20; so, too, among the Romans, Plin. 8:68; 17:3; Varro, [[''R. R'']]  ii, 6; Colum. 7:1) and in mills (&nbsp;Matthew 18:6; &nbsp;Luke 17:2; "asinus molarius," Colum. 7:2; '''''חמור''''' '''''הריחיים''''' , Buxtorf, ''Floril. Hebr.'' p. 308; comp. Brouckhus, ''Ad Tibull.'' ii, 1, 8). In war they carried the baggage (&nbsp;2 Kings 7:7; comp. Polluc. ''Onom.'' i, 10); but, according to &nbsp;Isaiah 21:7, the Persian king [[Cyrus]] had cavalry mounted on asses; and not only [[Strabo]] (xv, 726) assures us that the Caramanians, a people forming part of the Persian empire, rode on asses ina battle, but [[Herodotus]] (iv, 129) expressly states that [[Darius]] Hystaspis made use of the ass in a fight with the [[Scythians]] (comp. Allian, Anim. 12:32). See, generally, Bochart, Hieroz. i, 148 sq.; ii, 214 sq.; Lengerke, Kenaan, i, 140 sq., 146, 165.-Winer,i, 346. </p> <p> The domestic ass, being an animal of a patient, laborious, and stupid nature, the emblem of persons of a similar disposition. Issachar is called a strong ass (&nbsp;Genesis 49:14), in reference to his descendants, as being a settled agricultural tribe, who cultivated their own territory with ''Patient Labor,'' emblematized by the ass. We rarely read of Issachar being engaged in any war, which is ever hostile to agriculture. Of [[Jehoiakim]] it is said, in &nbsp;Jeremiah 22:19, " With the burial of an ass shall he be buried, dragged along, and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem;" an event mentioned by Josephus, who says that "the king of [[Babylon]] advanced with an army, that Jehoiakim admitted him readily into Jerusalem, and that Nebuchadnezzar, having entered the city, instantly put him to death, and cast his dead body unburied without the walls." It is recorded of Christ in &nbsp;Zechariah 9:9, and quoted thence in &nbsp;Matthew 21:5, that he should be "humble, and sitting on an ass, even on a colt the foal of an ass." As horses were used in war, Christ may be supposed, by this action, to have shown the humble and peaceable nature of his kingdom. On the contrary, Ephraim is compared to a ''Wild'' ass, in &nbsp;Hosea 8:9, i.e. he was untamed to the yoke, and traversed the desert as earnestly in the pursuit of idols as the ''Onager'' in quest of his mates. </p> <p> In the gospels is mentioned the, '''''Μύλος''''' '''''Ἰνικός''''' (&nbsp;Matthew 18:6; &nbsp;Mark 9:41), to express a large mill-stone, turned by asses, heavier than that turned by women or by slaves. See Jahn's ''Archceol. '''''§''''' '' 118, 189. </p> <p> '''(II.)''' The ass is the ''Equus Asinus'' of Linnaeus; Some formed into a sub- genus, containing that group of the Equidae which are not striped like zebras, and have forms and characters distinguishable from true horses, such as a peculiar shape of body and limbs, long ears, an upright mane, a tail only tufted at the end, a streak along the spine, often crossed with another on the shoulders, a braying voice, etc. To designate these animals the Hebrews used various terms, by which, no doubt, though not with the strict precision of science, different species and distinct races of the group, as well as qualities of sex and age, were indicated; but the contexts in general afford only slight assistance in discriminating them; and reliance on cognate languages is often unavailing, since we find that similar words frequently point to secondary and not to identical acceptations. The name is assigned by the' Auth. Vers. to several distinct Heb. words, viz. '''''אָתוֹן''''' , '''''חֲמוֹר''''' , '''''עִיִר''''' , '''''עָרוֹד''''' , and '''''פֶּרֶא''''' , and the Greek words ''.'' It occurs also in two passages of &nbsp;Sirach 13:19; &nbsp;Sirach 33:24, in the first of which it stands for ''Ovaypog.'' (See [[He-Ass]]); (See She-Ass); (See [[Foal]]). </p>