Original Word: עַיִר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `ayir
Pronunciation: ah-yeer
Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-yeer)
KJV: (ass) colt, foal, young ass
NASB: donkeys, foal, colt, male donkeys, young donkeys
Word Origin: [from H5782 (עוּר - awake) in the sense of raising (i.e. bearing a burden)]

1. (properly) a young donkey (as just broken to a load)
2. (hence) an donkey's colt

colt, foal, young donkey

From uwr in the sense of raising (i.e. Bearing a burden); properly, a young ass (as just broken to a load); hence an ass-colt -- (ass) colt, foal, young ass.

see HEBREW uwr

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a male donkey
NASB Translation
colt (1), donkeys (3), foal (2), male donkeys (1), young donkeys (1).

עַ֫יִר noun masculine^{Gen 32:16} male ass (young and vigorous); — plural וַעְיָרִם Genesis 32:16 (E); suffix עִירֹה Genesis 49:11 (poem; "" בְּנִי אֲתֹנוֺ); construct עַיִר מֶּרֶא (Ges^{§ 131c} N. 2; or appositive Kö^{Synt. § 333 s} Di and others) Job 11:12 wild ass's colt; plural עֲיָרִים, for riding Judges 10:4a (Judges 10:4b see עִיר), עֲיָרִם), Judges 12:14, singular absolute עַיִר Zechariah 9:9; עֲיָרִים for carrying Isaiah 30:6 Qr (Kt עורים), עֲיָרִם for tillage Isaiah 30:24.

Definition and Semantic Range

עַיִר designates the young of the donkey—commonly rendered “colt,” “foal,” or “young donkey.” While its primary sense is zoological, Scripture employs the word in settings that range from pastoral inventories to messianic prophecy, granting it theological resonance far beyond simple livestock terminology.

Occurrences by Canonical Order

• Genesis 32:15
• Genesis 49:11
• Judges 10:4
• Judges 12:14
• Job 11:12
• Isaiah 30:6
• Isaiah 30:24
• Zechariah 9:9

Genesis Narrative

In Jacob’s appeasement gift to Esau (Genesis 32:15) the “foals” appear among other animals, illustrating the patriarchal era’s wealth calculus: “twenty female donkeys and ten foals”. Their inclusion underscores the value of breeding stock—young donkeys meant future labor, transport, and continued prosperity.

Tribal Blessings and Eschatological Hope

Genesis 49:11 situates the colt within Judah’s oracle: “He ties his donkey to the vine and the colt of his donkey to the choicest branch”. Here the young donkey highlights abundance and regal poise. The tethering of a restless colt to a luxuriant vine depicts unthreatened prosperity, foreshadowing the peace Messiah brings (compare Zechariah 9:9).

Judges: Royal Pretensions and Social Status

Judges twice links the riding of עַיִר to minor chieftains:
• Jair’s thirty sons “rode on thirty donkeys” (Judges 10:4).
• Abdon’s sons and grandsons “rode on seventy donkeys” (Judges 12:14).

In a culture where horses were largely military imports, mounting a colt communicated dignity without the threat imperial cavalry implied. These narratives reveal a transitional Israel, yearning for royal trappings yet eschewing Canaanite militarism.

Job: Wisdom and Human Nature

Job 11:12 employs vivid satire: “A witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man”. The untamed עַיִר becomes an emblem of stubborn folly. Zophar’s proverb grounds the book’s wrestling with innate human limitation and the necessity of divine revelation.

Isaiah: Burdens and Provision

Isaiah 30 contrasts folly and grace through young donkeys:
• Verse 6 pictures Judah’s futile alliance with Egypt—“they carry their wealth on the backs of young donkeys.”
• Verse 24 promises end-time blessing—“The oxen and donkeys that work the ground will eat salted fodder.”

The same animal bears either misplaced trust or covenantal bounty, depending on Judah’s response to the LORD.

Zechariah: Messianic Fulfilment

Zechariah 9:9 crowns the word’s theological trajectory: “See, your King comes to you… humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”. The deliberate mention of the colt accentuates meekness, distancing the Messiah from war-horses while fulfilling Genesis 49’s hope. The Gospel writers cite this verse in Christ’s triumphal entry, confirming prophetic continuity.

Agricultural Life and Economic Roles

Archaeology affirms donkeys as essential pack animals in the ancient Near East. Colts were assets requiring nurture before full labor; thus inventories list them separately (Genesis 32:15). Their steady gait suited both rural tracks and long caravans, explaining Isaiah 30:6’s imagery of tribute borne through desert wastes.

Typological and Redemptive Threads

From Judah’s blessing to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the עַיִר traces a line of anticipated peace. The animal that once symbolized wealth, social rank, or stubborn ignorance ultimately conveys the King whose yoke is easy. Scripture’s consistency reveals God employing humble means to overturn worldly power.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Humility over spectacle: Leaders who identify with Christ’s colt reject self-aggrandizement.
2. Stewardship: Jacob’s inclusion of foals reminds believers to invest with future generations in view.
3. Discipleship: Like the wild colt in Job, hearts resist wisdom until subdued by grace; patient teaching echoes the patient training of young donkeys.

Thus עַיִר, though a small word with limited appearances, invites meditation on God’s sovereign use of the ordinary to accomplish extraordinary redemption.

וְהָעֲיָרִ֗ים וְעַ֥יִר וַעְיָרִ֖ם והעירים ועיר ועירם עֲיָרִ֑ם עֲיָרִ֔ים עֲיָרִ֖ים עֲיָרִ֜ים עִירֹ֔ו עַ֖יִר עיר עירו עירים עירם ‘ă·yā·rim ‘ă·yā·rîm ‘a·yir ‘ăyārim ‘ăyārîm ‘ayir ‘î·rōw ‘îrōw ayaRim Ayir iRo vayaRim veAyir vehaayaRim wa‘·yā·rim wa‘yārim wə‘ayir wə·‘a·yir wə·hā·‘ă·yā·rîm wəhā‘ăyārîmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts