5268. hupozugion

Lexical Summary

hupozugion: Beast of burden, pack animal

Original Word: ὑποζύγιον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: hupozugion
Pronunciation: hoo-poz-oo'-gee-on
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-od-zoog'-ee-on)
KJV: ass
NASB: beast of burden, donkey
Word Origin: [neuter of a compound of G5259 (ὑπό - under) and G2218 (ζυγός - yoke)]

1. an animal under the yoke (draught-beast)
2. (specially), a donkey

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

donkey

Neuter of a compound of hupo and zugos; an animal under the yoke (draught-beast), i.e. (specially), a donkey -- ass.

see GREEK hupo

see GREEK zugos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from hupo and zugos
Definition
a beast of burden or draught
NASB Translation
beast of burden (1), donkey (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5268: ὑποζυγιος

ὑποζυγιος, ὑποζύγια, ὑποζύγιον, equivalent to ὑπό ζυγόν ὤν, under the yoke; neuter τό ὑποζύγιον as a substantive, a beast of burden (so from Theognis, and Herodotus down); in Biblical Greek (since the ass was the common animal used by the Orientals on journeys and for carrying burdens (cf. B. D. under the word, Ass, 1)) specifically, an ass: Matthew 21:5 (Zechariah 9:9); 2 Peter 2:16; the Sept. for חֲמור, an ass.

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Scope

Strong’s Greek 5268 designates the ordinary pack animal—most often a donkey—on which burdens or riders are placed. Scripture employs the term not merely to record an item of pastoral life but to advance significant theological themes.

New Testament Usage

1. Matthew 21:5 presents the animal on which Jesus enters Jerusalem: “See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”.
2. 2 Peter 2:16 recalls Balaam’s mount: “But he received a rebuke for his transgression from the donkey, an animal without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness”.

Old Testament Foundations

• Genesis 22:3; Exodus 23:4; Judges 15:15; 1 Samuel 9:3 display the donkey as a work animal for patriarchs, judges, and kings.
• Zechariah 9:9 prophesies a gentle King arriving on a donkey, setting the stage for Matthew 21:5.
• Numbers 22:21–35 recounts Balaam’s donkey, the background to 2 Peter 2:16.
• Exodus 13:13 requires the firstborn donkey’s redemption by a lamb, foreshadowing substitutionary atonement.

Christological Significance

• Symbol of Peace. Ancient rulers mounted war-horses; Messiah’s choice of a donkey proclaimed a reign of peace (Zechariah 9:10).
• Fulfilment of Prophecy. The term’s appearance in Matthew 21:5 verifies the precision of predictive prophecy, reinforcing confidence in Scripture’s unity.
• Identification with the Lowly. By selecting a humble beast of burden rather than a royal stallion, Jesus identifies with common humanity (Philippians 2:6–8).

Prophetic Warning through Balaam’s Donkey

• Divine Sovereignty. God can employ a speechless creature to deliver His warning, underscoring His unrestricted means (Numbers 22:28).
• Restraint of Madness. 2 Peter 2:16 cites the incident to expose false teachers, demonstrating that even irrational beasts prove more discerning than corrupt prophets.
• Moral Accountability. The episode affirms that spiritual privilege (prophetic gifting) does not excuse moral failure.

Cultural and Historical Background

• Everyday Transport. In first-century Judea, donkeys were indispensable for travel and commerce, especially in hilly terrain unsuitable for chariots.
• Economic Marker. Ownership signified modest means; horses were linked to wealth and foreign military power (Deuteronomy 17:16).
• Rabbinic Reflection. Later Jewish teaching referenced Balaam’s donkey to illustrate the folly of ignoring divine revelation available even through unexpected channels.

Pastoral and Homiletical Applications

• Humility in Leadership. Ministers are called to emulate the Servant-King who chose the lowly mount (1 Corinthians 4:1).
• Willing Service. Like the beast that bore the Word incarnate, believers are privileged to carry Christ’s presence into the world (Colossians 1:27).
• Guarding against Spiritual Blindness. Balaam’s account warns teachers to heed God’s checks lest lesser voices expose their folly (James 3:1).
• Trust in God’s Means. The Lord may use ordinary instruments—people, circumstances, even animals—to accomplish extraordinary purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Theological Reflection

The juxtaposition of Matthew 21:5 and 2 Peter 2:16 frames the donkey as both bearer of redemption’s Prince and mouthpiece of divine rebuke. In each case God overturns worldly expectations: majesty cloaked in meekness; clarity voiced through what is normally mute. Thus Strong’s 5268, though superficially mundane, becomes a lens through which Scripture magnifies the humility of Christ and the sovereignty of God.

Forms and Transliterations

υποζύγια υποζυγίοις υποζυγιον υποζύγιον υποζύγιόν υποζύγίον ὑποζύγιον υποζυγιου υποζυγίου ὑποζυγίου υποζυγίω υποζυγίων hypozygion hypozýgion hypozygiou hypozygíou upozugion upozugiou

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 21:5 N-GNS
GRK: πῶλον υἱὸν ὑποζυγίου
NAS: THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.'
KJV: a colt the foal of an ass.
INT: a colt [the] foal of a beast of burden

2 Peter 2:16 N-NNS
GRK: ἰδίας παρανομίας ὑποζύγιον ἄφωνον ἐν
NAS: [for] a mute donkey, speaking
KJV: iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with
INT: of his own wickedness [the] beast of burden mute in

Strong's Greek 5268
2 Occurrences

ὑποζύγιον — 1 Occ.
ὑποζυγίου — 1 Occ.