Topical Bible: the Domestic Donkey: Often Taken Unlawfully by Corrupt Rulers

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Topical Encyclopedia

The domestic donkey, a humble yet significant animal in biblical times, is frequently mentioned in Scripture as a symbol of service, burden-bearing, and peace. However, it also appears in narratives highlighting the corruption and injustice of rulers who unlawfully seized property from the people, including their donkeys.

In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, donkeys were essential for daily life. They were used for transportation, carrying loads, and plowing fields. The donkey's role as a beast of burden made it a valuable asset, and its unlawful seizure by rulers was a grievous injustice. The Bible provides several instances where corrupt leaders took donkeys from the people, reflecting broader themes of exploitation and the abuse of power.

One notable example is found in the account of King Saul. In 1 Samuel 8:11-17, the prophet Samuel warns the Israelites about the behavior of a king who would reign over them. He foretells that the king will take their sons and daughters, fields, vineyards, and flocks, including their donkeys, for his own use. This passage highlights the potential for rulers to exploit their subjects, taking what is not rightfully theirs. The Berean Standard Bible states: "He will take your male and female servants, your best young men and your donkeys, and put them to his own use" (1 Samuel 8:16).

The unlawful taking of donkeys is also illustrated in the account of Naboth's vineyard. Although the primary focus of this narrative is the seizure of Naboth's land by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, it underscores a broader pattern of royal exploitation. While the text does not explicitly mention donkeys, the context of royal greed and the taking of property resonates with the warnings given by Samuel.

In the prophetic literature, the taking of donkeys is emblematic of the broader injustices perpetrated by leaders. Ezekiel 22:29 describes the corruption in Jerusalem: "The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice." Although donkeys are not specifically mentioned, the passage reflects the systemic injustice that would include the unlawful seizure of property, such as donkeys, from the vulnerable.

The domestic donkey, therefore, serves as a poignant symbol in the biblical narrative. Its unlawful seizure by corrupt rulers is a tangible representation of the broader themes of injustice and exploitation that the prophets and other biblical writers decry. The Bible consistently calls for justice, righteousness, and the protection of the vulnerable, standing in stark contrast to the actions of those who would take what is not theirs, including the humble donkey.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 16:15
And Moses was very wroth, and said to the LORD, Respect not you their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 8:16
And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your best young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 12:3
Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind my eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook