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Ass; she-ass

Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia

(Gen. 22:3; Num. 22:21)—a domestic animal very often mentioned in Holy Scripture and an important form of wealth among the ancient Hebrews. Job, for example, possessed five hundred she-asses (Job 1:3). Herds were sometimes so numerous that they required special keepers (Gen. 36:24). The domestic ass is undoubtedly one of the animals best suited for household labor and in some places is preferred even to the horse. Its skin is remarkably thick and durable and was used for parchment, drumheads, bookbindings, and other purposes.

Its coat is usually ash-gray with a brown stripe along the back, though sometimes reddish or silvery white. In the days of the Judges, persons of rank especially rode white asses (Judg. 5:10).

Scripture cited

Genesis 22:3Numbers 22:21Job 1:3Genesis 36:24Judges 5:10

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