H2543 H2543
Donkey — the male domesticated ass, a primary beast of burden, transport, and livestock wealth in ancient Israel
Hamor is the standard Hebrew word for the male donkey, one of the most economically important animals in the biblical world. Donkeys appear in patriarchal wealth inventories alongside sheep, cattle, and camels (Gen 12:16; 24:35), served as everyday mounts long before horses became common in Israel (Num 22:21; Judg 10:4), and carried loads on long journeys (Gen 42:26; 1 Sam 25:18). The word also appears in legal contexts: the firstborn of a donkey must be redeemed with a lamb (Exod 13:13; 34:20), and the Sabbath rest extends to one's donkey (Exod 23:12; Deut 5:14). Issachar is memorably compared to a 'strong-boned donkey' crouching between the saddlebags (Gen 49:14).
Senses
1. donkey (male ass) — The male domesticated donkey (Equus asinus), the standard beast of burden and riding animal in ancient Israel. Hamor covers the animal in all its roles: as a measure of patriarchal wealth (Gen 12:16; 30:43), a mount for travel (Num 22:21; 1 Sam 25:20), a load-bearer (Gen 42:26; 1 Sam 16:20), and a subject of legal regulation regarding Sabbath rest (Exod 23:12) and firstborn redemption (Exod 13:13). Spanish 'asno,' French 'ane,' and German 'Esel' all denote the same animal. The name itself derives from a Semitic root linked to reddish coloring. 96×
AR["الحِمارِ", "الـ-حِمَارَ", "الْ-حِمَارِ", "الْحِمارَ", "الْحِمارِ", "الْحِمَارَ", "الْحِمَارِ", "الْحِمَارِ-الـ", "حِمارٌ", "حِمَارٍ"]·ben["-গাধা", "গাধা", "গাধা-", "গাধা।", "গাধার", "সেই-গাধার"]·DE["Esel", "dem-Esel", "der-Esel", "ein-Esel"]·EN["a-donkey", "donkey", "the-donkey"]·FR["l'âne", "le-âne", "un-âne", "âne"]·heb["ה-חמור", "חמור"]·HI["गधा", "गधे", "गधे-का", "गधे-के", "गधे-को"]·ID["-keledai", "keledai"]·IT["asino", "il-asino", "un-asino"]·jav["kuldi", "kuldi.", "kulèn"]·KO["-나귀를", "그-나귀", "그-나귀를", "그-나귀에", "그-나귀에서", "그-나귀의", "나귀", "나귀가", "나귀에서", "나귀의"]·PT["de-jumento", "jumento", "o-jumento"]·RU["осла", "осле", "ослом", "осёл"]·ES["asno", "el-asno"]·SW["punda", "wa-punda"]·TR["-eşeğin", "de-eşeğin", "eşek", "eşeği", "eşeğin", "eşeğle"]·urd["-گدھے-کے", "ال-گدھا", "ال-گدھے", "گدھا", "گدھے", "گدھے-پر", "گدھے-کی"]
Gen 12:16, Gen 22:5, Gen 24:35, Gen 30:43, Gen 32:5, Gen 36:24, Exod 4:20, Exod 13:13, Exod 21:33, Exod 22:4, Exod 22:9, Exod 22:10 (+38 more)
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×)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×)H6260 1. male goat, he-goat (28×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† II. חֲמוֹר n.m. Gn 45:23 (he)-ass (NH id. (sometimes female, but this regularly חֲמוֹרָה); Aramaic חֲמָרָא, ܚܡܳܪܳܐ; Arabic حِمَارٌ, Palm. חמרא ReckendorfZMG 1888, 404; Assyrian imêru, SchrCOT Gloss.;—name from reddish colour)—abs. חֲמוֹר Gn 22:5 + 43 times; חֲמֹר Ex 13:13 Dt 22:10; cstr. חֲמוֹר Ex 23:5 + 4 times; חֲמֹר Gn 49:14; sf. חֲמֹרְךָ Dt 5:14; 28:31; חֲמֹרֶ֑ךָ Ex 23:12; חֲמֹרוֹ Gn 22:3 +…