The Definition of the word Ass

Ass

Frequently mentioned throughout Scripture. Of the domesticated "species we read of, (1.) The she ass (Heb. `athon), so named" from its slowness (Gen. 12:16; 45:23; Num. 22:23; 1 Sam. 9:3). "(2.) 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). (3.) 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")."