Deuteronomy 22:10

KJV

Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not plow {H2790} with an ox {H7794} and an ass {H2543} together {H3162}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are not to plow with an ox and a donkey together.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 22:10, a seemingly simple agricultural prohibition, forbids plowing with an ox and an ass together. This statute, embedded within the Deuteronomic Code's broader collection of civil and cultic laws, transcends its literal application to underscore profound principles of divine order, the maintenance of distinct categories, compassion for creation, and the wisdom inherent in choosing compatible partnerships within God's covenant community. It serves as a tangible illustration of God's desire for harmony, purity, and ethical conduct in all aspects of Israelite life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 22 is part of a larger section (chapters 12-26) known as the Deuteronomic Code, which elaborates on the Ten Commandments and provides specific statutes for Israel's life in the Promised Land. This chapter presents a diverse collection of laws governing social and ethical conduct, including regulations concerning lost property, personal safety (e.g., building a parapet on a roof), dress codes, sexual purity, and various prohibitions against mixing different kinds. The command in [Deuteronomy 22:10](/deuteronomy/22-10 "Deuteronomy 22:10 - Prohibition of Unequal Yoking") is nestled among these diverse statutes, emphasizing God's concern for order, distinction, and justice in the mundane details of daily life, reinforcing the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, agriculture was the backbone of the economy, and plowing was a fundamental, laborious task. Oxen (cattle) were powerful, steady, and considered "clean" animals under Mosaic Law due to their cloven hooves and chewing of the cud. Donkeys (asses), while useful for transport, were generally smaller, possessed a different gait, and were considered "unclean" animals. Yoking these two distinct animals together for plowing would have been highly impractical and cruel. Their differing strengths, speeds, and temperaments would cause immense strain, inefficiency, and potential injury to both animals, particularly the weaker donkey. This prohibition reflects both a practical understanding of animal husbandry and a deeper theological commitment to maintaining God's created order and showing compassion towards all living creatures, a theme also evident in [Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "Deuteronomy 25:4 - Do Not Muzzle an Ox").

* **Key Themes:** The prohibition against yoking an ox and an ass together contributes to several key themes pervasive throughout Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the principle of **maintaining distinction and order**, aligning with other laws against mixing different kinds, such as [Leviticus 19:19](/leviticus/19-19 "Leviticus 19:19 - Laws Against Mixing Kinds") which forbids sowing mixed seeds or wearing mixed fabrics. This reflects God's design for order in creation and His call for Israel to be a distinct, holy people. Secondly, it underscores **compassion and animal welfare**, demonstrating God's care for His creation, even animals, and promoting ethical treatment. Lastly, it implicitly teaches **wisdom in partnership**, suggesting that endeavors are most effective and harmonious when participants are compatible in nature, strength, and purpose, a principle that extends beyond agriculture to human relationships and spiritual alliances.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ox (Hebrew, _shôwr_):** Refers to a bovine animal, typically castrated and used for heavy labor like plowing. Oxen are characterized by their strength, steady pace, and endurance, making them ideal draft animals. In the Mosaic Law, they are considered "clean" animals, permitted for food and sacrifice. (H7794)
* **Ass (Hebrew, _chămôwr_):** Refers to a donkey, a male ass (from its dun red), a smaller, less powerful, and often more agile beast of burden. Donkeys have a different gait and are considered "unclean" animals under the Law, not permitted for food or sacrifice. Their inclusion here highlights the stark contrast in nature and capability with an ox. (H2543)
* **Plow (Hebrew, _chârash_):** The verb means "to scratch," "to engrave," or "to plow." In this context, it refers to the act of tilling the soil, a foundational agricultural activity. The prohibition specifically applies to this shared task, emphasizing the functional incompatibility of the two animals. (H2790)

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not plow":** This is a direct, emphatic negative command, indicating a divine prohibition. The use of "thou shalt not" (לֹא תַחֲרֹשׁ) establishes a clear boundary for the Israelite community, indicating that this action is contrary to God's will and design.
* **"with an ox and an ass together":** This specifies the forbidden combination. The conjunction "and" (וְ) explicitly links the two animals, highlighting their simultaneous use in the task. The phrase "together" implies being yoked side-by-side. The essence of the prohibition lies in the incompatibility of these two creatures—one strong, clean, and steady; the other less powerful, unclean, and with a different working rhythm—for a shared, strenuous task like plowing.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is central, as the "ox" and "ass" are placed side-by-side to highlight their inherent differences and the resulting disharmony when forced into a common endeavor. This specific, concrete prohibition functions as a form of **case law**, where a particular instance illustrates a broader, underlying principle. While literal, it carries strong **symbolism** and **metonymy**, where the physical act of "unequal yoking" represents the broader concept of incompatible partnerships or mixtures that violate divine order. The law itself is a **didactic** tool, teaching not only agricultural wisdom but also theological truths about God's character, His desire for order and distinction, and His compassion for all creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 22:10 transcends a mere agricultural regulation to reveal profound theological and ethical principles. It speaks to God's character as a God of order, who delights in distinctiveness and harmony within His creation. The prohibition against mixing an ox and an ass reflects a broader divine principle against "unnatural" or "disorderly" combinations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining boundaries and purity. This extends to the very identity of Israel as a holy nation, set apart for God, distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures and their practices. Furthermore, the law subtly conveys God's compassion, as yoking mismatched animals would cause undue suffering and inefficiency, reflecting a divine concern for the well-being of all creatures. This principle of discerning compatible partnerships and avoiding detrimental mixtures finds its ultimate spiritual echo in the New Testament.

* [Leviticus 19:19](/leviticus/19-19 "Leviticus 19:19 - Laws Against Mixing Kinds")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")
* [Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "Deuteronomy 25:4 - Do Not Muzzle an Ox")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient prohibition against plowing with an ox and an ass together offers timeless wisdom for contemporary life. While we no longer engage in literal ox-and-ass plowing, the underlying principle of "unequal yoking" remains profoundly relevant. It calls us to exercise discernment in all our partnerships—whether in marriage, business, ministry, or close friendships. When individuals with fundamentally different values, beliefs, goals, or spiritual commitments are yoked together in significant endeavors, it often leads to imbalance, inefficiency, and spiritual compromise. This verse challenges us to consider if our alliances are truly compatible, ensuring that they contribute to harmony, effectiveness, and spiritual integrity rather than causing strain, resentment, or a deviation from God's intended path. It encourages us to seek alignment in purpose and spirit, honoring God's design for order and purity in every facet of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "unequally yoked," and what are the potential consequences of such partnerships?**
* **How can I apply the principle of discerning compatible partnerships to my relationships, career, and spiritual commitments?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure my alliances align with biblical wisdom and promote spiritual health and effectiveness?**

### FAQ

**Why is this law in the Bible? Is it just about farming?**

Answer: While Deuteronomy 22:10 is literally an agricultural law, its inclusion in the Mosaic Code reveals it's far more than just about farming efficiency. It serves as a tangible example of several profound principles. Firstly, it demonstrates God's compassion for His creation, as yoking mismatched animals would cause distress and injury. Secondly, it underscores the divine principle of maintaining distinction and order within creation, paralleling other laws against mixing different kinds. God values the integrity of His created categories. Thirdly, it implicitly teaches wisdom in partnership, illustrating that endeavors are most successful and harmonious when participants are compatible in nature and purpose. Thus, it's a specific instruction that illustrates universal truths about God's character and His desire for order, purity, and ethical conduct.

**Does this law apply to Christians today?**

Answer: Christians are not literally bound by the Old Testament ceremonial or civil laws regarding plowing, but the underlying spiritual principles of Deuteronomy 22:10 are timeless and directly applicable. The most prominent New Testament application is found in [2 Corinthians 6:14](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked"), where Paul warns believers, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers." This extends the principle from agricultural practice to spiritual, moral, and relational partnerships, particularly in marriage, business, and close friendships. The core message for Christians is to avoid deep, binding alliances with those whose fundamental values, beliefs, and ultimate purposes are at odds with their faith, as such "unequal yoking" can lead to compromise, spiritual detriment, and hinder one's walk with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 22:10, in its prohibition against unequally yoked animals, foreshadows the profound harmony and perfect alignment found exclusively in Christ. The Old Testament law, with its emphasis on distinction and purity, highlights humanity's inherent inability to be rightly "yoked" with a holy God due to sin. We are the "unclean ass," disparate in nature from the "clean ox" of divine righteousness. However, Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfills the law's demands for purity and order. He, through His atoning sacrifice, bridges the chasm of sin, taking upon Himself our "unclean" nature so that we might be made righteous and reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). He invites us to take His "yoke" upon us, declaring it "easy" and His "burden light" ([Matthew 11:29-30](/matthew/11-29 "Matthew 11:29-30 - Take My Yoke Upon You")), signifying a partnership of grace, where His strength perfects our weakness. In Christ, the ultimate "unequal yoking" between sinful humanity and a holy God is resolved, as He unites all things in Himself, bringing Jew and Gentile, clean and unclean, into one harmonious body ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")), perfectly yoked to Him as the Head.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 6:14

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:16

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.