The Bible hand-book: an introduction to the study of Sacred Scripture . generally prevalent in the timeof our Lord. (Compare Zech. ix. 9 with Matt. xxi. 45). The Hebrews employed both the ox and the ass in ploughing theground, Isa. xxx 24; xxxii. 20; but they were forbidden to yoke themto the same plough, partly because of their unequal step, and partlybecause the animals never associated happily together. This prohibi-tion was perhaps intended to suggest the impropriety of an intercoursebetween Christians and idolaters in social and religious life; but it wasalso intended in the first instanc
The Bible hand-book: an introduction to the study of Sacred Scripture . generally prevalent in the timeof our Lord. (Compare Zech. ix. 9 with Matt. xxi. 45). The Hebrews employed both the ox and the ass in ploughing theground, Isa. xxx 24; xxxii. 20; but they were forbidden to yoke themto the same plough, partly because of their unequal step, and partlybecause the animals never associated happily together. This prohibi-tion was perhaps intended to suggest the impropriety of an intercoursebetween Christians and idolaters in social and religious life; but it wasalso intended in the first instance, and chiefly, to protect the animalsfrom cruel treatment. Issachar is compared to an ass; and vigor and bodily strength aresuggested by the comparison. It is said also that he should bow hisshoulder to bear, and prefer the yoke of bondage to the difficult issuesof war, and inglorious ease io just freedom, Gen. xlix. 14: a prophecyfulfilled in the history of that tribe, who submitted successively to thePhoenicians on the one hand, and to the Canaanites on the NATURAL HISTORY. 257 The tail of the Syrian sheep is much larger than in other breeds. Ina sheep weighing seventy pounds, the tail will often weigh fifteen; andit is deemed the most delicate part of the animal. Hence, in the reli-gious ritual of the Hebrews, the priest is commanded to take the ramand the tail ((r the rump, as it is called in our version, Lev. iii. 9), andpresent them in sacrifice to Jehovah. Both were to be placed on thealtar, to indicate the completeness and the value of the offering. . Inits domesticated state, the sheep is a weak and defenceless animal. Itis therefore dependent upon the shepherd both for protection and sup-port. To the disposition of these animals to wander from the fold, andthus to abandon themselves (in a country like Judsea) to destruction,there are many touching allusions in Scripture, Psa. cxix. 176 : Isa. . The Eastern shepherd calls his sheep, and they recognize
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