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Deuteronomy 22:10
Verse
Context
Sermons
Carl Carmody
T. Austin-SparksSummary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together--Whether this association, like the mixture of seeds, had been dictated by superstitious motives and the prohibition was symbolical, designed to teach a moral lesson (Co2 6:14), may or may not have been the case. But the prohibition prevented a great inhumanity still occasionally practised by the poorer sort in Oriental countries. An ox and ass, being of different species and of very different characters, cannot associate comfortably, nor unite cheerfully in drawing a plough or a wagon. The ass being much smaller and his step shorter, there would be an unequal and irregular draft. Besides, the ass, from feeding on coarse and poisonous weeds, has a fetid breath, which its yoke fellow seeks to avoid, not only as poisonous and offensive, but producing leanness, or, if long continued, death; and hence, it has been observed always to hold away its head from the ass and to pull only with one shoulder.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together,.... They might be used separately, but not together; nor was it uncommon in some countries for asses to be employed in ploughing as well as oxen. Pliny (h) makes mention of some fruitful land in Africa, which when it was dry weather could not be ploughed by oxen, but after showers of rain might be ploughed by a mean little ass; so Leo Africanus (i) says, the Africans only use horses and asses in ploughing. The reason why they were not to be put together was either (as some think) lest the law should be broken which forbids the gendering of cattle with a divers kind, Lev 19:19 but Aben Ezra thinks the reason is, because the strength of an ass is not equal to the strength of an ox; and therefore he supposes this law is made from the mercy and commiseration of God extended to all his creatures; though perhaps the better reason is, because the one was a clean creature, and the other an unclean, and this instance is put for all others; and with which agree the Jewish canons, which run thus,"cattle with cattle, wild beasts with wild beasts, unclean with unclean, clean with clean (i.e. these may be put together); but unclean with clean, and clean with unclean, are forbidden to plough with, to draw with, or to be led together (k).''The mystery of this is, that godly and ungodly persons are not to be yoked together in religious fellowship: see Co2 6:14. (h) Nat. Hist. l. 17. c. 5. (i) Descriptio Africae, l. 2. p. 104. (k) Misn. Celaim, c. 8. sect. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
22:10 Plowing with an ox and a donkey would be inefficient; this example illustrates the principle of separation and order (see also 2 Cor 6:14-18).
Deuteronomy 22:10
Various Laws
9Do not plant your vineyard with two types of seed; if you do, the entire harvest will be defiled —both the crop you plant and the fruit of your vineyard.10Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Malachi 2:10-16 God Hates Divorce
By Carl Carmody0GEN 2:24DEU 22:10MAL 2:16MAT 19:5JHN 3:192CO 6:14Carl Carmody preaches on the sobering subject of divorce as addressed in the book of Malachi, highlighting the devastating impact it has on families, individuals, and the church. The sermon delves into the treachery, travesty, and trauma of divorce, emphasizing God's strong disapproval of this act that profanes the sanctity of marriage. Through biblical examples and real-life stories, the sermon underscores the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God to strengthen marriages and families, warning against the dangers of being unequally yoked and the ripple effects of divorce on future generations.
The Holy Spirit
By T. Austin-Sparks0The Role of the Holy SpiritHolinessDEU 22:10MAT 3:15JHN 14:26JHN 14:30ACT 1:5ROM 1:3T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit as the 'Spirit of Holiness', contrasting it with the unholy spirit represented by Satan. He discusses the misconceptions surrounding holiness, which often lead to bondage and confusion among believers, and stresses that true holiness is a powerful force against unrighteousness. Sparks illustrates how the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live in victory over sin and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a distinct separation from the world's influences. He concludes by reminding that holiness is not a struggle to achieve but a gift from the Holy Spirit to those who are obedient and open to His leading.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together--Whether this association, like the mixture of seeds, had been dictated by superstitious motives and the prohibition was symbolical, designed to teach a moral lesson (Co2 6:14), may or may not have been the case. But the prohibition prevented a great inhumanity still occasionally practised by the poorer sort in Oriental countries. An ox and ass, being of different species and of very different characters, cannot associate comfortably, nor unite cheerfully in drawing a plough or a wagon. The ass being much smaller and his step shorter, there would be an unequal and irregular draft. Besides, the ass, from feeding on coarse and poisonous weeds, has a fetid breath, which its yoke fellow seeks to avoid, not only as poisonous and offensive, but producing leanness, or, if long continued, death; and hence, it has been observed always to hold away its head from the ass and to pull only with one shoulder.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together,.... They might be used separately, but not together; nor was it uncommon in some countries for asses to be employed in ploughing as well as oxen. Pliny (h) makes mention of some fruitful land in Africa, which when it was dry weather could not be ploughed by oxen, but after showers of rain might be ploughed by a mean little ass; so Leo Africanus (i) says, the Africans only use horses and asses in ploughing. The reason why they were not to be put together was either (as some think) lest the law should be broken which forbids the gendering of cattle with a divers kind, Lev 19:19 but Aben Ezra thinks the reason is, because the strength of an ass is not equal to the strength of an ox; and therefore he supposes this law is made from the mercy and commiseration of God extended to all his creatures; though perhaps the better reason is, because the one was a clean creature, and the other an unclean, and this instance is put for all others; and with which agree the Jewish canons, which run thus,"cattle with cattle, wild beasts with wild beasts, unclean with unclean, clean with clean (i.e. these may be put together); but unclean with clean, and clean with unclean, are forbidden to plough with, to draw with, or to be led together (k).''The mystery of this is, that godly and ungodly persons are not to be yoked together in religious fellowship: see Co2 6:14. (h) Nat. Hist. l. 17. c. 5. (i) Descriptio Africae, l. 2. p. 104. (k) Misn. Celaim, c. 8. sect. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
22:10 Plowing with an ox and a donkey would be inefficient; this example illustrates the principle of separation and order (see also 2 Cor 6:14-18).