mule Summary and Overview

(Heb. 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 (Lev. 19:19), although their use was not forbidden. We find them in common use even by kings and nobles (2 Sam. 18:9; 1 Kings 1:33; 2 Kings 5:17; Ps. 32:9). They are not mentioned, however, till the time of David, for the word rendered "mules" (R.V. correctly, "hot springs") in Gen. 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 Sam. 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 Israel.

a hybrid animal, the offspring of a horse and an ass. "The mule is smaller than the horse, and is a remarkably hardy, patient, obstinate, sure-footed animal, living, ordinarily, twice as long as a horse." --McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia. It was forbidden to the Israelites to breed mules, but sometimes they imported them. It would appear that only kings and great men rode on mules. We do not read of mules at all in the New Testament; perhaps therefore they had ceased to be imported.

MULE , the name of the offspring of the horse and the ass. 2 Sam 13:29. It is smaller than the former, and is a remarkably hardy, patient, obstinate, sure-footed animal, living ordinarily twice as long as a horse. Mules are much used in Spain and South America for transporting goods across the mountains. So also in the Alps they are used by travellers among the mountains where a horse would hardly be able to pass with safety. In the United States mules are much used for draught. Even the kings and most distinguished nobles of the Jews were accustomed to ride upon mules. See passage above cited, and also 2 Sam 18:9; 1 Kgs 1:33; 1 Kgs 10:25; 1 Kgs 18:5; 2 Chr 9:24; Esth 8:10, 2 Kgs 22:14. It is probable that the Jews purchased, but did not raise, mules. Lev 19:19.

1. Pered. Not mentioned until David's time, when Israel became more familiar with horses (1 Chronicles 12:40; 2 Samuel 13:29; 2 Samuel 18:9). Used for riding only by persons of rank (1 Kings 1:33). As breeding from different species was forbidden (Leviticus 19:19), mules must have been imported. An Egyptian monument from Thebes in British Museum represents them yoked to a chariot. The people of Togarmah (Armenia) brought them to Tyre for barter (Ezekiel 27:14). They were part of the "presents" from "the kings of the earth" to Solomon, "a rate year by year" (2 Chronicles 9:23-24). In these ways they came into Israel (1 Kings 18:5). In Ezra 2:66; Nehemiah 7:68. the mules on the return from Babylon amounted to 245; but the horses about three times as many, 736; so that the mule was then, as we find in the Greek classics, rarer and more precious. 2. Rechesh is translated "mules," Esther 8:10; Esther 8:14; but in 1 Kings 4:28 "DROMEDARIES" Micah 1:13, "swift beasts." (See CAMEL.) 3. Yeemim. Genesis 36:24 translated rather "Anah that found the hot springs," so the Vulgate version; the Samaritan text has "the Emim." Callirrhoe in the wady Zerka Maein is thought to be Anah's hot springs.