ὑποζύγι-ον G5268
a beast of burden, especially a donkey or ass
This term originally meant any beast used for yoking or burden-bearing (oxen, mules), but by the Hellenistic period specifically designated donkeys. Matthew uses it in quoting Zechariah's prophecy about the Messiah coming 'seated on a donkey,' fulfilled in Jesus' triumphal entry. Peter employs it in recounting Balaam's rebuke, where a normally speechless donkey spoke to restrain the prophet's madness. Both contexts give theological significance to a humble work animal.
Senses
1. sense 1 — From classical 'beast for the yoke' (ὑποζύγιον), the term narrowed to donkeys/asses in later Greek. Matt 21:5 quotes Zechariah 9:9 about the king 'mounted on a donkey' (ἐπὶ ὑποζύγιον), fulfilled when Jesus rode into Jerusalem—the humble beast symbolizing messianic peace versus military conquest. 2 Pet 2:16 recalls Balaam's 'speechless donkey' (ὑποζύγιον ἄφωνον) speaking with human voice, the humble animal shaming the mercenary prophet. 2×
AR["حِمارٌ", "حِمارَةٍ"]·ben["গাধা", "ভারবহনকারীর"]·DE["ὑποζυγίου", "ὑποζύγιον"]·EN["donkey", "of-a-beast-of-burden"]·FR["ânesse", "ὑποζύγιον"]·heb["אֲתוֹן", "חֲמוֹר"]·HI["गधी", "भारवाहक-का"]·ID["hewan-beban", "keledai"]·IT["upozugion", "upozugiou"]·jav["kewan-kangge-momotan", "kewan-tanggung"]·KO["나귀가", "짐승-의"]·PT["animal-de-carga", "de-animal-de-carga."]·RU["подъярёмного.", "подъярёмное-животное"]·ES["bestia-de-carga", "de-bestia-de-carga"]·SW["punda", "wakaenda"]·TR["eşek", "yük-hayvanının"]·urd["بوجھ-اٹھانے-والی-کے", "گدھے"]
Related Senses
H6629 1. flock, sheep/goats (small livestock) (274×)H1241 1. cattle, herd (bovine livestock) (183×)H0352a 1. ram (male sheep) (156×)H6499 1. young bull, bullock (130×)H3532 1. lamb, young male sheep (105×)H2543 1. donkey (male ass) (96×)H7794 1. ox, bull (79×)H7462b 1. shepherd (agent noun) (76×)H5795 1. she-goat(s), female goat(s) (68×)H7462b 2. to shepherd, tend, pasture (60×)H1581 1. camel (domestic animal) (54×)H0738b 1. lion (46×)G4263 1. sheep (39×)H5739 1. flock or herd of livestock (38×)H5695 1. calf, young bull (35×)H0738a 1. lion (large predatory feline) (34×)H0860 1. female donkey (34×)H3611 1. dog (animal) (32×)H3715a 1. young lion, lion cub (31×)G0721 1. Lamb (29×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ὑποζύγι-ον [ζῠ], τό, beast for the yoke, beast of draught or burden, Refs 6th c.BC+: as adjective, ὑποζύγιαι ἡμίονοι Refs 3rd c.BC+ __II later specifically an ass, LXX+NT+3rd c.BC+; βοῦς ἢ ὑ. ἢ πρόβατον Refs 3rd c.BC+; οὖρον οἷον ὑποζυγίου Refs 5th c.BC+