In the Bible, the term "colt" generally refers to a young male donkey or horse. Colts are mentioned in several passages, often symbolizing humility, peace, and fulfillment of prophecy. The use of colts in biblical narratives underscores their significance in both Old and New Testament contexts.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, colts are primarily associated with donkeys. Donkeys were common animals in ancient Israel, used for transportation and labor. The colt of a donkey is mentioned in Genesis 49:11, where Jacob blesses his son Judah, saying, "He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch." This imagery suggests prosperity and abundance, as well as the peaceful nature of Judah's future reign.

New Testament Significance

The most notable reference to a colt in the New Testament is found in the account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In fulfillment of the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9, Jesus instructs His disciples to find a colt for Him to ride into the city. The Gospel of Matthew records this event: "Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me" (Matthew 21:2). This act symbolizes Jesus' role as the humble and peaceful Messiah, contrasting with the expectations of a conquering king.

The Gospel of Mark provides additional details, emphasizing the colt's purity and readiness for sacred use: "Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here" (Mark 11:2). The fact that the colt had never been ridden signifies its consecration for a holy purpose, aligning with the biblical theme of using unblemished animals for sacred tasks.

Symbolism and Prophetic Fulfillment

The use of a colt in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is rich with symbolic meaning. It fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, which foretells the coming of a king who is "righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This prophecy highlights the Messiah's humility and peace, contrasting with the warhorses typically associated with earthly kings.

Furthermore, the colt represents the new covenant and the ushering in of a kingdom characterized by peace rather than military might. Jesus' choice to ride a colt instead of a horse underscores His mission to bring spiritual salvation rather than political liberation.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, colts and donkeys were symbols of service, peace, and humility. Unlike horses, which were associated with war and power, donkeys and their colts were seen as humble creatures, often used by common people. This distinction is crucial in understanding the significance of Jesus' actions and the message He conveyed through His choice of transportation.

In summary, colts in the Bible serve as powerful symbols of humility, peace, and the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. Their presence in key biblical narratives highlights the contrast between worldly expectations of power and the divine nature of Jesus' mission.1121. ben -- son
... their grandchildren (1), children and your children's (1), children and children's
(1), children's (2), children's children (5), colt (1), colts (1), common (2 ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

All who Walk According to Truth are Children of God.
... And again, He figuratively calls us colts unyoked to vice, not broken in by wickedness;
but simple, and bounding joyously to the Father alone; not such horses ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter v all who walk according.htm

Introduction
... many miles distant from that university is a stock-farm the superintendent of which
receives a salary of twelve thousand dollars for training high-bred colts. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/introduction.htm

Works of Rufinus. I. Original Works which Still Survive.
... the vine," the explanation given as he says, by the Jews, that the vines will be
so plentiful that they are used even for tying up the young colts, is dismissed ...
/.../works of rufinus i original.htm

Early Christian Hymns
... Bridle of colts untamed, Over our wills presiding; Flight of unwandering
birds, Our flight securely guiding," " " "75]. ...
/.../christian hymns of the first three centuries/vi early christian hymns.htm

The Sunday-School in Its Relation to the Baptized Children of ...
... These people treat their children much as a farmer does his colts, letting them
run wild for a while, and then violently breaking them in. ...
/.../chapter vii the sunday-school in.htm

Continuation: with Texts from Scripture.
... Composed by St. Clement. [1788]. I. Bridle of colts untamed,. Over our wills presiding;
Wing of unwandering birds,. Our flight securely guiding. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xii continuation with texts from.htm

On Genesis.
... By the "foal" he means the calling of the Gentiles; by the other, that of the
circumcision: "one ass," moreover, that is to signify that the two colts are of ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on genesis.htm

The Northern Iron and the Steel
... are you thinking of closing the doors, because as yet the children have not come
in great numbers, or because the young Arabs are as wild as unbroken colts? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the northern iron and the.htm

Practical Effects of Practical Truth
... At one moment the joyous song of a lark captivated him; at another, the capering
of some colts, or a sleek herd of cattle quietly grazing in a nearby pasture ...
/.../chapter ix practical effects of.htm

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory ...
... That wretched aim at a higher wisdom, hath thrown us all down into this
brutish and stupid condition, to be like wild asses colts. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv but if ye.htm

Colts (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Colts (3 Occurrences). Genesis 32:15 thirty milk camels
and their colts, forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. ...
/c/colts.htm - 7k

Ass-colts (2 Occurrences)
Ass-colts. Assaying, Ass-colts. Assemblage . Multi-Version
Concordance Ass-colts (2 Occurrences). Judges 10:4 and he ...
/a/ass-colts.htm - 7k

Jair (14 Occurrences)
... His opulence is described in Judges 10:3-5. He had thirty sons, each riding on
"ass colts." They had possession of thirty of the sixty cities (1 Kings 4:13; 1 ...
/j/jair.htm - 14k

Donkeys (71 Occurrences)
... NIV). Genesis 32:15 thirty milk camels and their colts, forty cows, ten
bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/d/donkeys.htm - 28k

Rode (22 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:4 He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkey colts, and they had thirty
cities, which are called Havvoth Jair to this day, which are in the land of ...
/r/rode.htm - 13k

Riding (30 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:4 and he hath thirty sons riding on thirty ass-colts, and they have thirty
cities, (they call them Havoth-Jair unto this day), which 'are' in the ...
/r/riding.htm - 16k

Column (5 Occurrences)

/c/column.htm - 9k

Assemblage (20 Occurrences)

/a/assemblage.htm - 13k

Donkey (84 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:4 He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkey colts, and they had thirty
cities, which are called Havvoth Jair to this day, which are in the land of ...
/d/donkey.htm - 31k

Thirty (189 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 32:15 thirty milk camels
and their colts, forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. ...
/t/thirty.htm - 39k

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