donkey, mule

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 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 Palestine.

Mule - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

MULE, n. [L. mulus.]

1. A quadruped of a mongrel breed,usually generated between an ass and a mare, sometimes between a horse and a she-ass. But the name is applied to any animal produced by a mixture of different species.

2. A plant or vegetable produced by impregnating the pistil of one species of plant with the farin or fecundating dust of another. This is called also a hybrid.

mul (peredh (1Ki 10:25; 18:5; Ezr 2:66; Isa 66:20; Zec 14:15), the feminine pirdah (1Ki 1:33,38,44), rekhesh, "swift steeds," the King James Version "mules" (Es 8:10,14), 'achashteranim, "used in the king's service," the King James Version "camels," the Revised Version margin "mules" (Es 8:10,14), yemim, "hot springs," the King James Version "mules" (Ge 36:24); hemionos, "half-ass," "mule" (1 Esdras 5:43; Judith 15:11)): Mules are mentioned as riding animals for princes (2Sa 13:29; 18:9; 1Ki 1:33,38,44); in the tribute brought to Solomon (2Ch 9:24); as beasts of burden (2Ki 5:17; 1Ch 12:40); horses and mules are obtained from the "house of Togarmah" in the distant north (Eze 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

Definition

A donkey is a four-legged work animal, similar to a horse, but smaller and with longer ears.

• A mule is the sterile offspring of a male donkey and a female horse.
• Mules are very strong animals and so they are valuable work animals.
• Both donkeys and mules are used for carrying burdens and people when traveling.
• In Bible times, kings would ride a donkey in times of peace, rather than a horse, which was used for times of war.
• Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey a week before he was crucified there.

(See also: How to Translate Unknowns)

Bible References

• 1 Kings 1:32-34
• 1 Samuel 9:4
• 2 Kings 4:21-22
• Deuteronomy 5:12-14
• Luke 13:15
• Matthew 21:2

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0860, H2543, H3222, H5895, H6167, H6501, H6505, H6506, G36780, G36880, G52680