The she-ass, or female donkey, holds a significant place in biblical narratives and teachings, symbolizing humility, service, and divine purpose. In the ancient Near Eastern context, donkeys were essential for transportation, agriculture, and trade, making them valuable assets in daily life. The she-ass, in particular, is mentioned in several key biblical passages, illustrating both practical and spiritual themes.

Old Testament References

1. Genesis 12:16 · The she-ass is first mentioned in the context of Abram's wealth. Pharaoh, having taken Sarai into his palace, rewards Abram with livestock, including she-asses: "He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels." This highlights the she-ass as a symbol of prosperity and divine blessing.

2. Numbers 22:21-33 · One of the most notable accounts involving a she-ass is Balaam's encounter with the Angel of the LORD. Balaam's she-ass sees the angel blocking the path and refuses to move forward, ultimately speaking to Balaam after being struck three times. This miraculous event underscores the theme of divine intervention and the importance of spiritual perception over human stubbornness.

3. 1 Samuel 9:3-4 · The search for lost she-asses leads Saul to the prophet Samuel, setting the stage for Saul's anointing as the first king of Israel. "Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, 'Take one of the servants with you and go look for the donkeys.'" This narrative illustrates how God can use ordinary circumstances to fulfill His sovereign plans.

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not specifically mention she-asses, the donkey continues to be a symbol of humility and peace, most notably in the account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In Matthew 21:2-5, Jesus instructs His disciples to find a donkey and her colt, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9: "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.'" This event emphasizes the messianic fulfillment and the nature of Christ's kingdom.

Symbolism and Themes

The she-ass in biblical literature often represents humility, patience, and the unexpected ways God accomplishes His purposes. Through the accounts of Balaam and Saul, the she-ass serves as a reminder of God's control over creation and His ability to use even the most humble creatures to achieve His divine will. The she-ass also symbolizes the provision and blessings bestowed upon the faithful, as seen in the wealth of Abram.

In summary, the she-ass is more than a mere beast of burden in the biblical narrative; it is a vessel through which God communicates His will, demonstrates His power, and fulfills His promises.860. athon -- a female donkey
... she ass. Probably from the same as 'eythan (in the sense of patience); a female
donkey (from its docility) -- (she) ass. see HEBREW 'eythan. 859, 860. ...
/hebrew/860.htm - 6k

Table of Contents
... 186 5. ON THE JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM 186 5.1 THE FIELD GINIM. THE TRAVELERS ARE GIVEN
A YOUNG SHE-ASS FROM ANNA'S PASTURE. ... JOSEPH PAWNS THE SHE-ASS. 234 XII. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/table of contents.htm

The Return of the Holy Family from Egypt
... The donkey was the same one on which Mary had journeyed to Bethlehem. (On their
flight into Egypt they had also had a she-ass with them, but Joseph had been ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvii the return of the.htm

The Purification of Mary
... Joseph had left in pledge with his relations the young she ass which had shown him
the way on their journey to Bethlehem, for he still intended to return to ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the purification of mary.htm

The Census and the Journey of the Holy Family
... coverlets. Also, besides the ass upon which Mary was to sit, he was to take
with him a she-ass one year old that had not yet had a foal. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/x the census and the.htm

Whether Children Should Follow the Condition of their Father?
... the offspring follows the mother rather that the father, wherefore mules born of
a mare and an ass are more like mares than those born of a she-ass and a horse ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether children should follow the.htm

That Injuries and Penalties of Persecutions are not to be Feared ...
... of a man devoted to Himself, and to inspire constancy and confidence in speech to
His confessor; since in the book of Numbers He made even a she-ass to speak ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/10 that injuries and penalties.htm

Walamir and St. Telemachus
... a coin which had been struck as a caricature of Honorius, which represents, not
the old Roman she-wolf suckling the immortal twins, but a she-ass suckling a hen ...
/.../chapter lix walamir and st.htm

Christ's Birth
... unknown to themselves. 14. MANY PEOPLE VISIT THE CHILD JESUS ON THE WAY
TO BETHLEHEM. JOSEPH PAWNS THE SHE-ASS. [November 30 ^th ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the ...
... [2932] Such as the ashes of an Ostrich-Egg, carried in summer in a linen, in winter
in a cotton rag; or a barley-corn found in the dung of a white she-ass, &c. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvi the healing of.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
The Principal Works of St. Jerome. <. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

She-ass (2 Occurrences)
She-ass. Shears, She-ass. She-asses . Multi-Version Concordance
She-ass (2 Occurrences). Matthew 21:2 saying to them ...
/s/she-ass.htm - 6k

Foal (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To bring forth (a colt); -- said of a mare or a sheass. ... Matthew 21:7 they
brought the she-ass and the foal, and threw their outer garments on them. ...
/f/foal.htm - 11k

Ass (95 Occurrences)
... Of the domesticated species we read of,. (1.) The sheass (Hebrews `athon), so named
from its slowness (Genesis 12:16; 45:23; Numbers 22:23; 1 Samuel 9:3). ...
/a/ass.htm - 48k

Shears (1 Occurrence)

/s/shears.htm - 7k

She-asses (7 Occurrences)
She-asses. She-ass, She-asses. Sheath . Multi-Version Concordance She-asses
(7 Occurrences). ... (YLT). She-ass, She-asses. Sheath . Reference Bible.
/s/she-asses.htm - 8k

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

Garments (232 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV). Matthew 21:7 they brought the she-ass and the foal, and
threw their outer garments on them. So He sat on them; (WEY ASV DBY YLT RSV). ...
/g/garments.htm - 37k

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

Threw (133 Occurrences)
... due. (WEY NAS). Matthew 21:7 they brought the she-ass and the foal, and threw
their outer garments on them. So He sat on them; (WEY). ...
/t/threw.htm - 34k

Mule (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A hybrid animal; specifically, one generated
between an ass and a mare, sometimes a horse and a she-ass. See Hinny. ...
/m/mule.htm - 13k

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