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What is an Ass?
        ASS
     Gen 22:3. This animal is among the most common mentioned in Scripture, and constituted a considerable part of the wealth of ancient times. Gen 12:16 and Gen 30:43; Job 1:3; Job 42:12. Asses were sometimes so numerous as to require a special keeper. Gen 36:24; 1 Chr 27:30. The ass and the ox were the principal animals of burden and draught. Ex 23:12. The domestic ass is indeed a most serviceable animal, and in some respects preferable to the horse. He subsists on very coarse food and submits to the meanest drudgery. His skin is remarkably thick, and is used at this day for parchment, drumheads, memorandum-books, etc. The usual color of asses is red or dark brown, but sometimes they are of a silver white, and these last were usually appropriated to persons of dignity. Jud 5:10. So in Gen 49:11 the allusion to the ass and the vine imports dignity and fruitfulness, and the continuance and increase of both in the tribe of Judah. There was a breed of asses far superior to those that were used in labor, and which are supposed to be referred to in most of the passages above cited. The female, or she-ass, was particularly valuable for the saddle and for her milk, which was extensively used for food and for medicinal purposes. The ass was used in agricultural labor, especially in earing (ploughing) the ground and treading it to prepare it for the seed. Isa 30:24 and Isa 32:20. The prohibition, Deut 22:10, might have been founded in part on the inequality of strength between the ox and the ass, and the cruelty of putting upon them the same burden, but was intended chiefly to mark the separation of the Jews from surrounding nations, among whom such a union of different beasts was not uncommon. So serviceable, and indeed essential, to man was this animal in ancient times that to drive away the ass of the fatherless is reckoned among the most atrocious acts The Eastern Ass (After Wood. "Animal Kingdom.") of oppression and cruelty. Job 24:3, as depriving an orphan family of their only cow would be regarded at the present day. The attachment of this animal to its owner is among its remarkable characteristics. In this respect it closely resembles the dog. Hence the severity of the prophet's rebuke. Isa 1:3. The fact stated in 2 Kgs 6:25 shows that such was the extremity of the famine that the people were willing to give an exorbitant price for the head of an "unclean" animal. The ass, when dead, was thrown into an open field, and that part of his flesh which was not consumed by beasts and birds was suffered to putrefy and decay. Nothing could be more disgraceful than to expose a human body in the like manner. Jer 22:19; Jer 36:30. Our Saviour's entrance into Jerusalem riding upon an ass's colt fulfilled the prophecy in Zech 9:9. It is not considered in the East less honorable to ride this animal than a horse. But the latter is chiefly used for warlike purposes, as the ass is not. This peaceful animal was appropriated to the Prince of peace, who came not as other conquerors. The Arabian ass has a light, quick step. In Persia, Syria, and Egypt ladles are accustomed to ride on asses, and they are particularly valuable in mountainous countries, being more surefooted than horses. Their ordinary gait is four miles an hour. The ass in its wild or natural state is a beautiful animal. It is often alluded to in the sacred writings. Job 11:12; Deut 24:5 and Job 39:5-8. Asses usually roamed in herds through barren and desolate districts. Isa 32:14;Hos 8:9. One was recently taken in a pitfall in Astrachan, and added to the Surrey zoological collection in England. It is described as having a deer-like appearance, standing high on the legs, very active, of a silvery color, with a dark brown streak along the back.


Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'ass' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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