### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **chămôwr**, represented by `{{H2543}}`, refers to a **male ass**. Derived from a root suggesting a dun red color, it appears 96 times in 93 verses. As a common beast of burden, it is a fixture in narratives of daily life, law, and commerce throughout the scriptures.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{H2543}}` is primarily depicted as an essential animal for labor and transportation. It is saddled for significant journeys, such as when Abraham travels to the place of sacrifice [[Genesis 22:3]] or when Moses returns to Egypt with his family [[Exodus 4:20]]. The ass is also a key indicator of wealth and property, frequently listed alongside oxen, sheep, and camels in inventories of patriarchal fortunes [[Genesis 24:35]] and the spoils of war [[1 Samuel 27:9]]. The animal's importance is further cemented in Israel's legal codes, which protect it from being coveted [[Exodus 20:17]] and prohibit plowing with an ox and an ass together [[Deuteronomy 22:10]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help define the role and context of the ass in the ancient world:
* `{{H860}}` **'âthôwn** (she ass): This term for a female donkey is often used in conjunction with `{{H2543}}`. Abram's wealth included both "he asses" and "she asses" [[Genesis 12:16]], and the prophecy of the coming king mentions him riding on an ass, the foal of a "she ass" [[Zechariah 9:9]].
* `{{H7794}}` **shôwr** (ox): The ox is frequently paired with the ass as a primary animal of labor and a measure of wealth. They are mentioned together in laws concerning restitution [[Exodus 22:4]] and Sabbath rest [[Exodus 23:12]].
* `{{H1581}}` **gâmâl** (camel): As another significant beast of burden, the camel often appears in lists of livestock assets alongside the ass, indicating substantial possessions [[Genesis 30:43]].
* `{{H5483}}` **çûwç** (horse): The horse, often associated with warfare and royalty, stands in contrast to the more domestic ass. A whip is for the horse, but a bridle for the ass [[Proverbs 26:3]].
### Theological Significance
The theological and symbolic weight of `{{H2543}}` is significant, often used to convey deeper truths.
* **Symbol of Humility and Peace:** The most prominent example is the prophecy of Zion's king, who comes not on a warhorse but "lowly, and riding upon an ass" [[Zechariah 9:9]], signifying a reign of peace.
* **Standard of Integrity:** An individual's righteousness was partly measured by their respect for property. Samuel defends his honor by asking, "whose ass have I taken?" [[1 Samuel 12:3]], and Moses makes a similar declaration of innocence before God [[Numbers 16:15]].
* **A Lesson in Loyalty:** The prophet Isaiah uses the animal to rebuke the nation, stating, "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know" [[Isaiah 1:3]]. The humble ass displays a loyalty that God's own people lack.
* **Marker of Divine Judgment:** The dire circumstances of a famine in Samaria are captured by the exorbitant price of "an ass's head" [[2 Kings 6:25]], while Jeremiah prophesies that a wicked king will receive the "burial of an ass" [[Jeremiah 22:19]], cast out unceremoniously.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2543}}` **chămôwr** transcends its role as a simple beast of burden. It is a cornerstone of the biblical economy, a subject of divine law, and a potent symbol. From a measure of a person's wealth and integrity to an illustration of loyalty and humility, the ass serves as a constant, tangible element in the unfolding drama of scripture, culminating in the powerful image of the peaceful king arriving on a humble donkey.
TRV