### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma ὄνος (ónos), transliterated as *ónos*, refers fundamentally to a "donkey" or "ass." As a seemingly primary word, its meaning is straightforward, denoting the common beast of burden prevalent throughout the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world. Donkeys were indispensable for daily life, serving as primary means of transport for people and goods, assisting in agricultural tasks like plowing and milling, and occasionally providing food or milk. Unlike horses, which were often associated with warfare, royalty, and worldly power, donkeys were symbols of humility, peace, and the common man. Their robust nature, endurance, and relatively low maintenance made them ideal for the rugged terrain and economic conditions of the biblical lands. The semantic range is therefore quite narrow, focusing on the literal animal, but its *symbolic* and *theological* implications are profound due to its contextual usage in Scripture.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, ὄνος appears in several significant contexts, most notably in the accounts of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This event is recorded by all four Gospel writers, highlighting its prophetic and theological weight. In [[Matthew 21:2]], [[Mark 11:2]], [[Luke 19:30]], and [[John 12:14]], Jesus specifically instructs His disciples to find a donkey (ὄνος) and a colt (πῶλον, *pōlon*, `{{G4454}}`). Matthew's account explicitly mentions both, stating that Jesus rode "on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey" ([[Matthew 21:7]]), directly linking the event to the prophecy in [[Zechariah 9:9]]. This deliberate choice of transport, rather than a warhorse, powerfully conveys Jesus' identity as the Prince of Peace, a humble King entering His capital not for conquest but for redemption.
Other occurrences include references to the practical use of donkeys, such as in [[Matthew 18:6]], where Jesus speaks of a millstone being hung around one's neck and being drowned in the sea, a millstone typically turned by a donkey. Similarly, [[Luke 13:15]] mentions a man untying his donkey (ὄνος) from the stall on the Sabbath to lead it to water, illustrating a common, permissible activity. These instances underscore the donkey's ubiquitous presence in daily life and its role in parables and illustrations. The consistent portrayal of the donkey is one of utility, humility, and connection to the common people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Greek ὄνος finds its Old Testament counterparts primarily in several Hebrew terms. The most common is `{{H2543}}` (חֲמוֹר, *chamor*), a general term for a male donkey, often used for burden-bearing and riding. Another significant term is `{{H860}}` (אַתוֹן, *'athon*), specifically referring to a female donkey, notably used in the story of Balaam's speaking donkey ([[Numbers 22:21-33]]) and for the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father ([[1 Samuel 9:3]]). The term `{{H5895}}` (עַיִר, *'ayir*) denotes a young donkey or colt, which is particularly relevant to the Zechariah prophecy and Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
The concept of the donkey is intrinsically linked to themes of humility, peace, and servanthood. It stands in stark contrast to the horse (ἵππος, *hippos*, `{{G2462}}`), which in biblical imagery often symbolizes military might, human strength, and worldly power (e.g., [[Psalm 20:7]], [[Proverbs 21:31]]). Jesus' choice of a donkey for His royal entry into Jerusalem thus subverts conventional notions of kingship, aligning Himself not with earthly might but with divine humility and the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. The "colt that had never been ridden" ([[Mark 11:2]], [[Luke 19:30]]) further emphasizes its sacred, consecrated use for the Lord.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ὄνος is overwhelmingly concentrated in the narrative of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. By riding on a donkey, Jesus intentionally fulfills the prophecy of [[Zechariah 9:9]]: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This act profoundly reveals the nature of His kingship: it is a kingship of peace, humility, and righteousness, not one of military conquest or earthly pomp. He presents Himself as the Messianic King, but one who identifies with the lowly and the suffering, eschewing the symbols of worldly power that His contemporaries might have expected.
This choice underscores several key theological truths:
1. **Prophetic Fulfillment:** It unequivocally identifies Jesus as the promised Messiah, validating the divine plan revealed in the Old Testament.
2. **Humility and Servanthood:** It demonstrates Jesus' radical humility and His mission as a servant-king. He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many ([[Mark 10:45]]).
3. **Peaceful Kingdom:** The donkey symbolizes peace, contrasting sharply with the warhorse. Jesus' kingdom is spiritual and eternal, established through self-sacrifice and love, not by force.
4. **Identification with the Lowly:** By riding a donkey, Jesus aligns Himself with the common people and the humble, emphasizing His accessibility and His concern for the marginalized.
The donkey, therefore, becomes a powerful symbol of Christ's character and the nature of His redemptive work.
### Summary
The Greek word ὄνος (ónos) denotes a donkey, a common beast of burden in the ancient world. While its literal meaning is straightforward, its biblical occurrences, particularly in the New Testament, imbue it with deep theological significance. Most notably, Jesus' deliberate choice to ride a donkey during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem ([[Matthew 21:1-9]], [[Mark 11:1-10]], [[Luke 19:28-40]], [[John 12:12-16]]) serves as a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy ([[Zechariah 9:9]]). This act powerfully communicates the nature of Jesus' kingship: one characterized by humility, peace, and servanthood, in stark contrast to the worldly power symbolized by a warhorse. Related Hebrew terms like `{{H2543}}` (*chamor*) and `{{H5895}}` (*'ayir*) further underscore the donkey's consistent biblical portrayal as a humble and utilitarian animal. Theologically, the donkey in connection with Christ represents His identification with the lowly, the peaceful nature of His kingdom, and the divine plan of salvation unfolding through humility rather than human might.
TRV