Encyclopedia entry

Ass

Disambiguation

The source enumerates 3 distinct subjects under Ass. Jump to one below, or read in order.

1.The she ass (Heb.
2.The male ass (Heb.
3.The ass’s colt (Heb.

Frequently mentioned throughout Scripture. Of the domesticated species we read of,

Ass (1)
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The she ass (Heb. ‘athon), so named from its slowness (Gen. 12:16; 45:23; Num. 22:23; 1 Sam. 9:3).
Ass (2)
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The male ass (Heb. hamor), the common working ass of Western Asia, so called from its red colour. Issachar is compared to a strong ass (Gen. 49:14). It was forbidden to yoke together an ass and an ox in the plough (Deut. 22:10).
Ass (3)
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The ass’s colt (Heb. ‘air), mentioned Judg. 10:4; 12:14. It is rendered “foal” in Gen. 32:15; 49:11. (Comp. Job 11:12; Isa. 30:6.) The ass is an unclean animal, because it does not chew the cud (Lev. 11:26. Comp. 2 Kings 6:25). Asses constituted a considerable portion of wealth in ancient times (Gen. 12:16; 30:43; 1 Chr. 27:30; Job 1:3; 42:12). They were noted for their spirit and their attachment to their master (Isa. 1:3). They are frequently spoken of as having been ridden upon, as by Abraham (Gen. 22:3), Balaam (Num. 22:21), the disobedient prophet (1 Kings 13:23), the family of Abdon the judge, seventy in number (Judg. 12:14), Zipporah (Ex. 4:20), the Shunammite (1 Sam. 25:30), etc. Zechariah (9:9) predicted our Lord’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, “riding upon an ass, and upon a colt,” etc. (Matt. 21:5, R.V.).
Of wild asses two species are noticed, (1) that called in Hebrew ’arod, mentioned Job 39:5 and Dan. 5:21, noted for its swiftness; and (2) that called pe’re, the wild ass of Asia (Job 39:6-8; 6:5; 11:12; Isa. 32:14; Jer. 2:24; 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 (Gen. 16:12. Here the word is simply rendered “wild” in the Authorized Version, but in the Revised Version, “wild-ass among men”).

Also from Smith's (1884) +

Five Hebrew names of the genus Asinus occur in the Old Testament.

Chamor denotes the male domestic ass. Athon, the common domestic she-ass. Air, the name of a wild ass, which occurs (Genesis 32:15; 49:11) Pere, a species of wild ass mentioned (Genesis 12:16) Arod occurs only in (Job 39:5) but in what respect it differs from the Pere is uncertain. 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. 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.—ED.) 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.

In the Bible

Verses where Ass is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).

1 Kings 2:40
So Shimei saddled his donkey and set out to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves, and he brought them back from Gath.
1 Kings 13:13
So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it
1 Kings 13:23
And after the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the old prophet who had brought him back saddled the donkey for him.
1 Kings 13:24
As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it.
1 Kings 13:27
Then the old prophet instructed his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled it,
1 Kings 13:28
and he went and found the body lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. The lion had not eaten the body or mauled the donkey.

+70 more verses naming Ass.

Ass references

See all 21 +

More illustrations of Ass

Samson Destroys the Philistines with an Ass' Jawbone
Gustave Doré

Voices on Ass

Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.

Passion - How Great Is Our God (World Edition) [feat. Chris Tomlin]