ὄνος (onos)
onos
donkey
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun onos refers simply to a donkey or ass, a common beast of burden in the ancient world. The sources note that it appears in five verses across Matthew, Luke, and John, often carrying significant symbolic weight rather than just describing an animal. In the Septuagint, this Greek word frequently translates the Hebrew terms for both male and female donkeys, establishing a consistent lineage of meaning.
A key distinction noted by lexicons is that onos can be masculine or feminine depending on context, allowing it to refer to either gender without changing the form. This flexibility is visible in Matthew 21:7, where the text mentions both the colt and its mother, using the same word for each. The term appears in pivotal moments, such as Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:5; John 12:15), fulfilling prophecy by riding a lowly animal rather than a warhorse.
Its usage highlights humility and peace. While horses symbolized military power, the donkey represented quiet service and royal modesty. By choosing this creature for his triumphal entry, Jesus aligned himself with prophetic texts that envisioned a king arriving in gentleness. The word itself is straightforward, but its presence in these narratives underscores the nature of his kingship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word onos simply means donkey, yet its presence in Scripture carries deep resonance for how we view leadership and service. In the ancient world, this animal was a staple of daily life, used for heavy labor and quiet transport rather than military glory. When Jesus chose to ride one into Jerusalem, He was not merely fulfilling an old prophecy; He was making a statement about the kind of King He is. This choice highlights humility over power and peace over conquest.
For your own faith journey, this word invites you to consider the value of gentle service. Just as the donkey carried the King without complaint, believers are called to bear one another’s burdens with patience and love. It reminds us that true strength often looks like quiet endurance and faithful presence in the ordinary moments of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- donkey2×
- a donkey2×
- of a donkey.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὄνον4×
- ὄνου.1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 21:5
“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
This verse explicitly links the donkey to the prophecy of a humble King arriving in peace, defining the nature of Jesus' messianic identity.
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John 12:15
“Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
Here the word reinforces the theme of royal modesty, contrasting the expected military triumph with a gentle entry into Jerusalem.
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Luke 13:15
Therefore the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath and lead him away to water?
Jesus uses the donkey as a common example of Sabbath care to challenge religious leaders about their own lack of compassion and mercy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word 'onos' mean in the Bible?
Why did Jesus ride a donkey instead of a horse?
Does 'onos' refer to a male or female donkey?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 3 books)
Matthew 3 verses
saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with…
Matthew 21:5“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a…
Matthew 21:7and brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them.