In biblical literature, the term "bray" is used to describe the loud, harsh cry of a donkey. This term appears in the context of illustrating certain human behaviors or conditions, often with a negative connotation. The act of braying is typically associated with foolishness or a lack of understanding, drawing a parallel between the animal's cry and human folly.

Scriptural References:

1. Job 6:5 : "Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?" In this verse, Job uses the imagery of a donkey braying to emphasize the natural response of creatures to their circumstances. The rhetorical question suggests that just as a donkey does not bray when it has what it needs, so too should humans not complain when their needs are met. This highlights the theme of contentment and the natural order of creation.

2. Proverbs 27:22 : "Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, you will not separate his foolishness from him." While the term "bray" is not directly used in this verse, the imagery of grinding is akin to the process of braying, which involves crushing or breaking down. This proverb underscores the stubbornness of folly, suggesting that external pressures or attempts to correct a fool may not change their inherent nature.

Theological Implications:

The use of "bray" in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for human behavior that is out of alignment with wisdom and understanding. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the donkey was a common animal, known for its stubbornness and loud braying. By comparing certain human actions to the braying of a donkey, the biblical authors convey a message about the futility and noise of foolishness.

From a theological perspective, these references to braying can be seen as a call to seek wisdom and understanding, aligning oneself with God's order rather than succumbing to the chaos of folly. The imagery serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and the pursuit of knowledge, as opposed to the empty clamor of ignorance.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient world, the donkey was a valuable but humble animal, often used for transportation and labor. Its bray was a familiar sound, and its characteristics were well-known to the people of the time. The biblical authors' use of this imagery would have resonated with their audience, providing a vivid illustration of the points being made.

The cultural significance of the donkey in biblical times adds depth to the metaphor. While the donkey was essential for daily life, its bray was not considered pleasant or desirable. This duality reflects the biblical view of human nature, capable of both great utility and great folly.

Moral and Ethical Lessons:

The concept of braying in the Bible serves as a moral lesson on the dangers of foolishness and the value of wisdom. It encourages believers to examine their own lives, ensuring that their actions and words are not akin to the senseless noise of a braying donkey. Instead, followers are urged to cultivate a spirit of discernment and understanding, aligning themselves with the teachings of Scripture and the wisdom of God.1. (n.) A harsh, grating, or discordant sound; the cry of a donkey.

2. (v. t.) To pound, beat, rub, or grind small or fine.

3. (v. i.) To utter a loud, harsh cry, as an ass.

4. (v. i.) To make a harsh, grating, or discordant noise.

5. (v. t.) To make or utter with a loud, discordant, or harsh and grating sound.

BRAY

bra (nahaq, "to bray," of the ass; kathash, "to pound in a mortar"): This word occurs with two distinct meanings:

(a) The harsh cry of the ass (Job 6:5). Job argued that as the sounds instinctively uttered by animals denote their wants, even so his Words were but the natural expression of his longing for some adequate explanation of his sufferings, or, failing this, for death itself. Used figuratively of Job's mockers (Job 30:7).

(b) "To beat small in a mortar," "to chastise." Proverbs 27:22 refers to a more elaborate process than threshing for separating grain (the English Revised Version "corn") from its husk and impurities; used figuratively of a thorough but useless course of discipline; or still more probably with reference to the Syrian custom of braying meat and bruised corn together in a mortar with a pestle, "till the meat and grain become a uniform indistinguishable pulp" (see The Expositor Times, VIII, 521).

M. O. Evans

5101. nahaq -- to bray, cry
... to bray, cry. Transliteration: nahaq Phonetic Spelling: (naw-hak') Short Definition:
bray. ... root Definition to bray, cry NASB Word Usage bray (1), cry (1). bray. ...
/hebrew/5101.htm - 5k

3806. kathash -- to pound, pound fine, bray
... kathash. 3807 . to pound, pound fine, bray. Transliteration: kathash Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-thash') Short Definition: pound. Word Origin a prim. ... bray. ...
/hebrew/3806.htm - 5k

Related Works by or About Anne Catherine Emmerich
... (1854). Vie de la Sainte Vierge. Paris: Sagnier et Bray. Other printings: 1858,
1875, 1881, 1931, 1935. ... Vie d'Anne-Catherine Emmerich . Paris: A. Bray. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/related works by or about.htm

Some Errors.
... all. And then, if we only knew it, sanctification is just suited to the
life of trial and perplexity. "BILLY" BRAY AND CARVOSSO. If ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter ii some errors.htm

The Neighbor Colonies to virginia-Maryland and the Carolinas.
... The efforts of Dr. Thomas Bray, commissary of the Bishop of London, a man of true
apostolic fervor, accomplished little in withstanding the downward tendency ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter vi the neighbor colonies.htm

The Adventures of Saint Denis of France.
... The Knight, who eat more leisurely than his Squire, had scarcely finished his portion
when he heard a loud bray close to him, and looking round, instead of his ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter five the adventures of.htm

Moravians and Methodists, 1735-1742.
... Some, like the Wesleys, were university men; some, like Hutton, were middle-class
tradesmen, of moderate education; some, like Bray, the brazier, were artizans ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ix moravians and methodists.htm

Preface.
... Dawlish, the Lizard, Brighton, Weymouth, Eastbourne, Walmer, Folkestone, Bournemouth,
Blackpool, Lancing, Llandudus, Rhyl, Saltburn, Bray, Matlock, Malvern ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/preface.htm

The General Conference of 1832
... Maine Conference: C. Baker, Oliver Beale, S. Bray, P. Burgess, WH Norris, D. Hutchinson,
B. Jones, John Lord, W. Marsh, E. Robinson, J. Spalding. ...
/.../chapter 11 the general conference.htm

Index.
... Bond, Mark, 355. Bonet, 162. Bossuet, 28, 42, 49, 148. Bourignon, Madame de, 249,
274. Bray, Dr., 46, 48-9. Brokesby, F., 39. Brown, Moses, 384. Bulkeley, Sir E ...
/.../abbey/the english church in the eighteenth century/index 2.htm

Index.
... Bradford, Governor William, 94, 97. Brainerd, David, 18o, 183, 247. Bray, Thomas,
61, 62, 66. Breckinridge, Robert J., 281, 378. Brewster, Edward, 43, 44. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacon/a history of american christianity/index 2.htm

It is Also Plain that the Public Prayers are not to be Couched in ...
... can sufficiently admire the unbridled audacity which the Papists have had, and still
have, who, contrary to the prohibition of the Apostle, chant and bray in a ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 33 it is also.htm

Bray (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BRAY. ... MO Evans. Multi-Version Concordance Bray
(3 Occurrences). Job 6:5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? ...
/b/bray.htm - 8k

Mortar (16 Occurrences)
... The Israelites used a mortar in which to beat the manna in the wilderness (Numbers
11:8), and Proverbs 27:22 declares, "Though thou shouldst bray a fool in a ...
/m/mortar.htm - 14k

Nettles (5 Occurrences)
... Nettles (5 Occurrences). Job 30:7 Among the bushes they bray; and under the nettles
they are gathered together. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/n/nettles.htm - 9k

Undergrowth (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Undergrowth (2 Occurrences). Job 30:7 Among the bushes
they bray; under the nettles they are gathered together. (See NIV). ...
/u/undergrowth.htm - 7k

Loweth (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Loweth (1 Occurrence). Job 6:5 Doth the wild ass bray
when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder? (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/l/loweth.htm - 6k

Groats (4 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Proverbs 27:22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle
along with bruised grain, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him. ...
/g/groats.htm - 7k

Fodder (9 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV NAS). Job 6:5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does
the ox low over his fodder? (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/fodder.htm - 9k

Pestle (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vt & i.) To pound, pulverize, bray, or mix with a pestle, or as with a pestle;
to use a pestle. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PESTLE. ...
/p/pestle.htm - 7k

Bruise (19 Occurrences)
... it fall. 2. (vt) To break; as in a mortar; to bray, as minerals, roots,
etc.; to crush. 3. (vi) To fight with the fists; to box. 4 ...
/b/bruise.htm - 14k

Bellow (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bellow (2 Occurrences). Job 6:5 Does the wild donkey bray
when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder? (See NIV). ...
/b/bellow.htm - 7k

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