Mule
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(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 Kgs 1:33; 2 Kgs 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 Kgs 10:25).
Mules are not mentioned in the New Testament. Perhaps they had by that time ceased to be used in Palestine.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
mul (peredh (1 Kgs 10:25; 1 Kgs 18:5; Ezra 2:66; Isa 66:20; Zech 14:15), the feminine pirdah (1 Kgs 1:33; 1 Kgs 1:38; 1 Kgs 1:44), rekhesh, "swift steeds," the King James Version "mules" (Esth 8:10; Esth 8:14), 'achashteranim, "used in the king's service," the King James Version "camels," the Revised Version margin "mules" (Esth 8:10; Esth 8:14), yemim, "hot springs," the King James Version "mules" (Gen 36:24); hemionos, "half-ass," "mule" (1 Esdras 5:43; Judithh 15:11)): Mules are mentioned as riding animals for princes (2 Sam 13:29; 2 Sam 18:9; 1 Kgs 1:33; 1 Kgs 1:38; 1 Kgs 1:44); in the tribute brought to Solomon (2 Chr 9:24); as beasts of burden (2 Kgs 5:17; 1 Chr 12:40); horses and mules are obtained from the "house of Togarmah" in the distant north (Ezek 27:14). The injunction of Ps 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
Kilde: Easton's Bible Dictionary (M.G. Easton, 1897) og International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (red. James Orr, 1915/1939), public domain. Translated into Danish with AI and not yet proofread (fully or partially). Links to people and places: Theographic Bible Metadata (CC BY-SA 4.0).