Bible Study Tools
Language Tools
Historical Writings
Pastoral Resources
Personal Resources
Site Resources
Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!
Home » Bible Dictionaries » Easton's Bible Dictionary » Letter A

Bible Dictionaries
Ass

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Search for…
Enter query below:
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Asp
Next Entry
Asshur
Resource Toolbox
Print Article
Additional Links
Frequently mentioned throughout Scripture. Of the domesticated species we read of,
  • The she ass (Heb. 'athon), so named from its slowness (Genesis 12:16; 45:23; Numbers 22:23; 1 Samuel 9:3 ).
  • 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 (Genesis 49:14 ). It was forbidden to yoke together an ass and an ox in the plough (Deuteronomy 22:10 ).
  • The ass's colt (Heb. 'air), mentioned Judges 10:4; 12:14 . It is rendered "foal" in Genesis 32:15; 49:11 . (Compare Job 11:12; Isaiah 30:6 .) The ass is an unclean animal, because it does not chew the cud (Leviticus 11:26 . Compare 2 Kings 6:25 ). Asses constituted a considerable portion of wealth in ancient times (Genesis 12:16; 30:43; 1 Chronicles 27:30; Job 1:3; 42:12 ). They were noted for their spirit and their attachment to their master (Isaiah 1:3 ). They are frequently spoken of as having been ridden upon, as by Abraham (Genesis 22:3 ), Balaam (Numbers 22:21 ), the disobedient prophet (1 Kings 13:23 ), the family of Abdon the judge, seventy in number (Judges 12:14 ), Zipporah (Exodus 4:20 ), the Shunammite (1 Samuel 25:30 ), etc. (Zechariah 9:9 ) predicted our Lord's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, "riding upon an ass, and upon a colt," etc. (Matthew 21:5 , RSV).

    Of wild asses two species are noticed, (1) that called in Hebrew 'Arod , Mentioned Job 39:5 and Daniel 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; Isaiah 32:14; Jeremiah 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 (Genesis 16:12 . Here the word is simply rendered "wild" in the Authorized Version, but in the Revised Version, "wild-ass among men").

    Copyright Statement
    These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
    Bibliography Information
    Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Ass'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ebd/​a/ass.html. 1897.
    • terms of use • privacy policy • • rights and permissions • contact sl • about sl • link to sl
    To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient contact form
    StudyLight.org © 2001-2022
    Powered by Lightspeed Technology
     
    adsfree-icon
    Ads FreeProfile