In the biblical context, she-asses, or female donkeys, hold significant practical and symbolic importance. They are frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures, serving as essential assets in the agrarian and pastoral lifestyle of ancient Israel. The she-ass is often depicted as a valuable possession, indicative of wealth and status, and is used for transportation, labor, and breeding.

Practical Role and Symbolism

She-asses were highly valued for their endurance, strength, and ability to navigate the rugged terrain of the Near East. They were used for carrying loads, plowing fields, and as a means of transportation. The ownership of she-asses is often mentioned alongside other livestock, such as oxen and sheep, to denote prosperity and divine blessing. For instance, in Genesis 12:16, Pharaoh rewards Abram with livestock, including she-asses, as a sign of favor: "He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels."

The she-ass also appears in narratives that highlight divine intervention and communication. One of the most notable accounts is found in Numbers 22, where Balaam's donkey, a she-ass, is given the ability to speak to Balaam, warning him of the angel of the LORD standing in the way. This account underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the use of humble creatures to fulfill His purposes.

Cultural and Economic Significance

In the patriarchal society of the Old Testament, the possession of she-asses was a sign of wealth and social standing. Job, a man described as "the greatest of all the people of the East" (Job 1:3), owned a substantial number of livestock, including she-asses. Their mention in the inventory of Job's wealth emphasizes their economic value and the prosperity bestowed upon him by God.

She-asses also played a role in the legal and social structures of ancient Israel. They are mentioned in the context of property and inheritance laws, as seen in Exodus 21:33-34, where the loss or injury of a neighbor's donkey requires restitution. This reflects the broader biblical principle of justice and responsibility within the community.

Symbolic Representation

Beyond their practical uses, she-asses carry symbolic meanings in biblical literature. They are sometimes associated with peace and humility, contrasting with the horse, which is often linked to war and conquest. This symbolism is evident in the prophetic imagery of the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem, as described in Zechariah 9:9 and fulfilled in the New Testament: "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."

In this context, the she-ass and her colt represent the peaceful and humble nature of the Messiah's reign, in stark contrast to the expectations of a conquering king. This imagery reinforces the biblical theme of God's kingdom being established through humility and service rather than force and domination.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, she-asses are depicted as valuable and versatile animals, integral to the daily life and economy of ancient Israel. Their presence in biblical narratives and laws highlights their importance and reflects broader theological themes of divine provision, justice, and humility.

The Appointment of a King Over the Israelites, Whose Name was Saul ...
... Now this Kish had some fine she-asses that were wandered out of the pasture wherein
they fed, for he was more delighted with these than with any other cattle ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 the appointment of.htm

Chapter xlv
... And to his father he accordingly sent ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt,
and ten she-asses laden with grain and bread and provisions for his father ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlv.htm

Chapter xxxii
... she-goats and twenty he-goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milch camels
and their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty she-asses and ten foals ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxii.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... He had "seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of
oxen, and five hundred she asses." His household was also "very great." This ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
... It is the custom of the country; and as journeys are accomplished at a walking pace,
mares and she-asses are frequently accompanied by their foals. ...
/.../christs triumphal entry into jerusalem.htm

And Now, Since we have Touched Upon the Subject of the Prophets...
... uttered predictions even about events of no importance, to soothe those who desire
such things, as when Samuel prophesies regarding three she-asses which were ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxvi and now since.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things
of Egypt, and ten she-asses, laden with corn and bread and victual for his ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

Chapter xii
... And he bestowed favours upon Abram for her sake, and he (Abram) possessed sheep
and cattle and asses and menservants and maidservants and she-asses and camels. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xii.htm

Introductory Essay.
... sons the clergy, his three daughters the three classes of the laity who are to worship
the Trinity, his friends the heretics, the oxen and she-asses the heathen ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/introductory essay .htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... And thus he sent ev'n for his father's use, Of the best things that Egypt did produce,
Ten asses load, and ten she asses load Of bread and meat, to spend upon ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

She-asses (7 Occurrences)
She-asses. She-ass, She-asses. Sheath . Multi-Version Concordance
She-asses (7 Occurrences). Genesis 12:16 And he dealt ...
/s/she-asses.htm - 8k

Pairs (13 Occurrences)
... Job 1:3 and his substance is seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and
five hundred pairs of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a service very ...
/p/pairs.htm - 10k

Asses (68 Occurrences)
... Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen,
and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and sheasses, and camels. ...
/a/asses.htm - 29k

Sheath (11 Occurrences)

/s/sheath.htm - 10k

Victual (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner: ten asses laden with
the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses laden with grain and bread and ...
/v/victual.htm - 8k

Oxen (176 Occurrences)
... Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen,
and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and sheasses, and camels. ...
/o/oxen.htm - 38k

Job's (11 Occurrences)
... Job's life than on its start: and so he came to have fourteen thousand sheep and
goats, and six thousand camels, and two thousand oxen, and a thousand she-asses...
/j/job's.htm - 9k

Laden (14 Occurrences)
... Genesis 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with
the good things of Egypt, and ten sheasses laden with corn and bread and meat ...
/l/laden.htm - 10k

Foal (10 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/f/foal.htm - 11k

Maid-servants (25 Occurrences)
... 12:16 And he dealt well with Abram for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and
he-asses, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and she-asses, and camels. ...
/m/maid-servants.htm - 14k

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