פֶּ֫רֶד
pe.red
mule
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the Hebrew word פֶּ֫רֶד (pe.red), with a definition of "mule," we see that this word is associated with animals and creatures. As a noun, it refers specifically to a mule, which is the offspring of a male donkey (donkey) and a female horse (mare). This word appears 15 times in the Bible, indicating its significance and importance in the cultural and geographical context of ancient Israel. The mule was likely valued for its strength, endurance, and distinctive traits, making it a fitting subject for mention in biblical text. The word's frequency in scripture also suggests that the biblical authors were interested in highlighting specific characteristics or events related to mules. In the biblical text, the word פֶּ֫רֶד is used in various situations, which implies a range of usage and potential meanings. Given the physical properties of a mule, it could be used to illustrate the power and fertility of a male animal (donkey), or to depict a unique and versatile creature in certain contexts. Without further information, it's difficult to discern specific themes or symbolism associated with this word, but its definition and frequency in scripture provide a solid foundation for understanding its meaning and significance.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences across the text
Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;
Nehemiah 7:68Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;
Psalms 32:9Don’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.
Isaiah 66:20They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Yahweh, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says Yahweh, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into Yahweh’s house.
Ezekiel 27:14“ ‘ “They of the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, war horses, and mules.
Zechariah 14:15A plague like this will fall on the horse, on the mule, on the camel, on the donkey, and on all the animals that will be in those camps.
2 Samuel 13:29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule, and fled.
2 Samuel 18:9Absalom happened to meet David’s servants. 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.
2 Samuel 18:9Absalom happened to meet David’s servants. 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.
2 Samuel 18:9Absalom happened to meet David’s servants. 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.
1 Kings 10:25Year after year, every man brought his tribute, vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules.
1 Kings 18:5Ahab 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.”
2 Kings 5:17Naaman said, “If not, then, please let two mules’ burden of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will from now on offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to Yahweh.
1 Chronicles 12:40Moreover those who were near to them, as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, on camels, on mules, and on oxen: supplies of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel.
2 Chronicles 9:24They each brought tribute, vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules every year.