male ass (Hebrews hamor), the common working ass of Western Asia, so
called from its red colour. Issachar is compared to a strong ass (Genesis
49:14). It was forbidden to yoke together an ass and an ox in the plough
(Deuteronomy 22:10). (3.) The ass’s colt (Hebrews ‘air), mentioned
Judges 10:4; 12:14. It is rendered “foal” in Genesis 32:15; 49:11. (Comp.
Job 11:12; Isaiah 30:6.) The ass is an unclean animal, because it does not
chew the cud (Leviticus 11:26. Comp. 2 Kings 6:25). Asses constituted a
considerable portion of wealth in ancient times (Genesis 12:16; 30:43; 1
Chronicles 27:30; Job 1:3; 42:12). They were noted for their spirit and
their attachment to their master (Isaiah 1:3). They are frequently spoken
of as having been ridden upon, as by Abraham (Genesis 22:3), Balaam
(Numbers 22:21), the disobedient prophet (1 Kings 13:23), the family of
Abdon the judge, seventy in number (Judges 12:14), Zipporah (Exodus
4:20), the Shunammite (1 Samuel 25:30), etc. Zechariah (9:9) predicted our
Lord’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, “riding upon an ass, and upon a
colt,” etc. (Matthew 21:5, R.V.).
Of wild asses two species are noticed, (1) that called in Hebrew ’arod,
mentioned Job 39:5 and Daniel 5:21, noted for its swiftness; and (2) that
called pe’re, the wild ass of Asia (Job 39:6-8; 6:5; 11:12; Isaiah 32:14;
Jeremiah 2:24; 14:6, etc.). The wild ass was distinguished for its fleetness
and its extreme shyness. In allusion to his mode of life, Ishmael is likened
to a wild ass (Genesis 16:12. Here the word is simply rendered “wild” in
the Authorized Version, but in the Revised Version, “wild-ass among
men”).
- ASSHUR second son of Shem (Genesis 10:22; 1 Chronicles 1:17). He
went from the land of Shinar and built Nineveh, etc. (Genesis 10:11,12).
He probably gave his name to Assyria, which is the usual translation of
the word, although the form Asshur is sometimes retained (Numbers
24:22, 24; Ezekiel 27:23, etc.). In Genesis 2:14 “Assyria” ought to be
“Asshur,” which was the original capital of Assyria, a city represented by
the mounds of Kalah Sherghat, on the west bank of the Tigris. This city
was founded by Bel-kap-kapu about B.C. 1700. At a later date the capital
was shifted to Ninua, or Nineveh, now Koyunjik, on the eastern bank of
the river. (See CALAH; NINEVEH.) - ASSOS a sea-port town of Proconsular Asia, in the district of Mysia, on
the north shore of the Gulf of Adramyttium. Paul came hither on foot
along the Roman road from Troas (Acts 20:13, 14), a distance of 20 miles.