| Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews pered), so called from the quick step of the animal or its power of carrying loads. It is not probable that the Hebrews bred mules, as this was strictly forbidden in the law (Leviticus 19:19), although their use was not forbidden. We find them in common use even by kings and nobles (2 Samuel 18:9; 1 Kings 1:33; 2 Kings 5:17; Psalm 32:9). They are not mentioned, however, till the time of David, for the word rendered "mules" (R.V. correctly, "hot springs") in Genesis 36:24 (yemim) properly denotes the warm springs of Callirhoe, on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. In David's reign they became very common (2 Samuel 13:29; 1 Kings 10:25). Mules are not mentioned in the New Testament. Perhaps they had by that time ceased to be used in Palestine. Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A hybrid animal; specifically, one generated between an ass and a mare, sometimes a horse and a she-ass. See Hinny. 2. (n.) A plant or vegetable produced by impregnating the pistil of one species with the pollen or fecundating dust of another; -- called also hybrid. 3. (n.) A very stubborn person. 4. (n.) A machine, used in factories, for spinning cotton, wool, etc., into yarn or thread and winding it into cops; -- called also jenny and mule-jenny. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MULE mul (peredh (1 Kings 10:25; 1 Kings 18:5 Ezra 2:66 Isaiah 66:20 Zechariah 14:15), the feminine pirdah (1 Kings 1:33, 38, 44), rekhesh, "swift steeds," the King James Version "mules" (Esther 8:10, 14), 'achashteranim, "used in the king's service," the King James Version "camels," the Revised Version margin "mules" (Esther 8:10, 14), yemim, "hot springs," the King James Version "mules" (Genesis 36:24); hemionos, "half-ass," "mule" (1 Esdras 5:43; Judith 15:11)): Mules are mentioned as riding animals for princes (2 Samuel 13:29; 2 Samuel 18:9 1 Kings 1:33, 38, 44); in the tribute brought to Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:24); as beasts of burden (2 Kings 5:17 1 Chronicles 12:40); horses and mules are obtained from the "house of Togarmah" in the distant north (Ezekiel 27:14). The injunction of Psalm 32:9, "Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding," need not be understood as singling out the horse and mule as more in need of guidance than the rest of the brute creation, but rather as offering familiar examples to contrast with man who should use his intelligence.
At the present day mules are used as pack animals and for drawing freight wagons, rarely for riding. One does not often see in Palestine mules as large and fine as are common in Europe and America. This may be because most of the mares and many of the donkeys are small.
Alfred Ely Day |  | Multi-Version Concordance Mule (9 Occurrences) Luke 10:34 He went to him, and dressed his wounds with oil and wine and bound them up. Then placing him on his own mule he brought him to an inn, where he bestowed every care on him. (WEY) 2 Samuel 13:29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man got him up on his mule, and fled. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 2 Samuel 18:9 Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the sky and earth; and the mule that was under him went on. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 1 Kings 1:33 The king said to them, "Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 1 Kings 1:38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride on king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 1 Kings 1:44 The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and they have caused him to ride on the king's mule. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 1 Kings 18:5 Ahab said to Obadiah, "Go through the land, to all the springs of water, and to all the brooks. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we not lose all the animals." (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Psalms 32:9 Don't be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding, who are controlled by bit and bridle, or else they will not come near to you. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Zechariah 14:15 So will be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the donkey, and of all the animals that will be in those camps, as that plague. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) |
