A foal, in biblical terms, refers to a young horse, donkey, or other equine animal. In the context of the Bible, foals are often mentioned in relation to prophecy, symbolism, and significant events, particularly in the life of Jesus Christ.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, foals are frequently associated with peace and humility. The prophet Zechariah foretold a messianic prophecy involving a foal: "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). This prophecy highlights the anticipated arrival of a king who embodies humility and peace, contrasting with the typical image of a conquering king on a warhorse.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament records the fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy in the account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is written: "This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 'Say to the Daughter of Zion, "See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey"'" (Matthew 21:4-5). Jesus' choice to ride a foal into Jerusalem symbolizes His role as the Prince of Peace and His mission to bring salvation through humility and sacrifice.

Symbolism and Significance

The foal, as a symbol, represents humility, peace, and the fulfillment of God's promises. In contrast to the warhorse, which signifies power and conquest, the foal underscores the peaceful and gentle nature of Christ's kingdom. This imagery is consistent with the broader biblical theme of God choosing the humble and lowly to accomplish His divine purposes.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern culture, riding a donkey or its foal was not uncommon for individuals of status, but it was distinct from the image of a warrior king. The choice of a foal in the biblical narrative serves to emphasize the countercultural nature of Jesus' ministry and the upside-down values of the Kingdom of God, where the last shall be first, and the meek shall inherit the earth.

Conclusion

The foal, as depicted in the Bible, is a powerful symbol of the messianic hope and the nature of Christ's mission. It serves as a reminder of the fulfillment of prophecy and the unexpected ways in which God chooses to reveal His glory and accomplish His purposes.1. (n.) The young of any animal of the Horse family (Equidae); a colt; a filly.

2. (v. t.) To bring forth (a colt); -- said of a mare or a she ass.

3. (v.i.) To bring forth young, as an animal of the horse kind.

COLT; FOAL

kolt (`ayir, ben; polos, huios, with some word such as hupozugiou, understood; huios alone = "son"): The English words "colt" and "foal" are used in the Bible of the ass everywhere except in Genesis 32:15, where the word "colt" is used of the camel in the list of animals destined by Jacob as presents for Esau. In most cases `ayir (compare Arabic `air, "ass") means "ass's colt," but it may be joined with ben, "son," as in Zechariah 9:9, where we have: `al-chamor we`al-`ayir ben-'athonoth, literally, "on an epi onon kai epi polon huion hupozugiou", "upon an ass, and upon a colt ass, and on an ass's colt, the son of the she-asses"; compare Matthew 21:5 epi onon kai epi polon huion hupozugiou, "upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." In John 12:15 we have epi polon onou, and in the previous verse the diminutive, onarion. The commonest New Testament word for "colt" is polos, akin to which is German Fohle and English "foal" and "filly." The Latin pullus signifies either "foal" or "chicken," and in the latter sense gives rise to French poulet and English "pullet."

In view of the fact that horses are but little mehtioned in the Bible, and that only in connection with royal equipages and armies, it is not surprising that "colt" does not occur in its ordinary English sense.

Alfred Ely Day

FOAL

fol.

See COLT.

4454. polos -- a foal
... a foal. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: polos Phonetic Spelling:
(po'-los) Short Definition: a colt, young ass Definition: a colt, young ass ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4454.htm - 6k

5207. huios -- a son
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a son NASB Word Usage attendants (3), foal
(1), man (1), son (1), son (307), sons (68). son, child, foal. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5207.htm - 8k

5895. ayir -- a male donkey
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a male donkey NASB Word Usage colt
(1), donkeys (3), foal (2), male donkeys (1), young donkeys (1). ...
/hebrew/5895.htm - 6k

1121. ben -- son
... 1), common (2), descendants (14), descendants of the son (1), deserves (2), exiles*
(5), father* (1), fellow* (3), fellows (2), fertile* (1), foal (1), fools ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

Origin of Heathen Mythology.
... from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until He come for whom it is reserved;
and He shall be the desire of the Gentiles, binding His foal to the ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter liv origin of heathen mythology.htm

Jacob Predicted that Christ Would Ride on an Ass, and Zechariah ...
... Chapter LIII."Jacob predicted that Christ would ride on an ass, and Zechariah confirms
it. "And that expression, binding his foal to the vine, and the ass's ...
/.../chapter liii jacob predicted that christ.htm

Matthew's Story of the Entry into Jerusalem. Difficulties Involved ...
... Lord's entering Jerusalem, he says, [5063] "All the city was stirred, saying, Who
is this?" But before this he has the story of the ass and the foal which were ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/17 matthews story of the.htm

The Ass and the Colt are the Old and the New Testament. Spiritual ...
... connection on the part of the Jews. But the foal is not a beast of burden
in the same way as the ass. For though every lead of the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/18 the ass and the.htm

Christ Predicted by Moses.
... from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until He come for whom it is reserved;
and He shall be the desire of the nations, binding His foal to the vine ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xxxii christ predicted by moses.htm

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
... "Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting
upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.""Matthew.21:5. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the triumphal entry into jerusalem.htm

Oration on the Palms.
... Jacob keeps feast in spirit, seeing his prophecy brought to a fulfilment, and with
the faithful adores the Father, seeing Him who bound his foal to the vine ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/oration on the palms.htm

Other Fulfilled Prophecies.
... And we will cite the prophetic utterances of another prophet, Zephaniah, [1839]
to the effect that He was foretold expressly as to sit upon the foal of an ass ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xxxv other fulfilled prophecies.htm

Jacob Predicted Two Advents of Christ.
... Judah, or a leader from his thighs, until that which is laid up in store for him
shall come; and he shall be the desire of nations, binding his foal to the vine ...
/.../chapter lii jacob predicted two advents.htm

Works of Rufinus. I. Original Works which Still Survive.
... So, in Judah's "binding his foal to the vine," the explanation given as he says,
by the Jews, that the vines will be so plentiful that they are used even for ...
/.../works of rufinus i original.htm

Foal (10 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To bring forth young, as an animal of the horse kind. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. COLT; FOAL. kolt (`ayir, ben; polos ...
/f/foal.htm - 11k

Colt (15 Occurrences)
... Cf. Foal. 2. (n.) A young, foolish fellow. ... 5. (vt) To horse; to get with young.
6. (vt) To befool. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COLT; FOAL. ...
/c/colt.htm - 12k

Facing (79 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:2 saying to them, "Go to the village you see facing you, and as you
enter it you will find a she-ass tied up and a foal with her. ...
/f/facing.htm - 31k

Ass's (7 Occurrences)
... Mark 11:2 "Go," He said, "to the village facing you, and immediately on entering
it you will find an ass's foal tied up which no one has ever yet ridden: untie ...
/a/ass's.htm - 8k

Mounted (32 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:5 "Tell the Daughter of Zion, 'See, thy King is coming to thee, gentle,
and yet mounted on an ass, even on a colt the foal of a beast of burden ...
/m/mounted.htm - 15k

Outer (98 Occurrences)
... health. (WEY). Matthew 21:7 they brought the she-ass and the foal, and threw
their outer garments on them. So He sat on them; (WEY). ...
/o/outer.htm - 37k

Ridden (5 Occurrences)
... Mark 11:2 "Go," He said, "to the village facing you, and immediately on entering
it you will find an ass's foal tied up which no one has ever yet ridden: untie ...
/r/ridden.htm - 8k

She-ass (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:2 saying to them, "Go to the village you see facing you, and as you
enter it you will find a she-ass tied up and a foal with her. ...
/s/she-ass.htm - 6k

Riding (30 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble,
and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (WEB ASV NIV). ...
/r/riding.htm - 16k

Ass (95 Occurrences)
... 10). (3.) The ass's colt (Hebrews `air), mentioned Judges 10:4; 12:14.
It is rendered "foal" in Genesis 32:15; 49:11. (Comp. Job ...
/a/ass.htm - 48k

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