Mule
“From a root meaning swift or to carry loads”
Summary
The mule, a hybrid of horse and donkey, was used in Israel primarily as a riding animal for royalty and nobility, though the Israelites were forbidden to breed them and apparently imported them from other nations.
☩Description and Use
The mule is a hybrid animal, the offspring of a horse and a donkey. Smaller than a horse but remarkably hardy, patient, and sure-footed, the mule typically lives twice as long as a horse, making it valuable for traversing mountainous terrain. In Israel, mules are not mentioned until the time of David, when they appear as riding animals for the king's sons and persons of high rank. David had his own mule, upon which Solomon was made to ride when he was proclaimed king.
☩Importation
Since breeding from different species was forbidden by the Mosaic law, the Israelites apparently did not raise mules themselves but imported them. The Tyrians obtained horses and mules from Togarmah (Armenia), which was famous for its fine horses. Mules were among the 'presents' brought to Solomon 'year by year' from kings of the earth. The returning exiles from Babylon brought back 245 mules, though the number of horses was about three times greater.
☩Proverb
The Psalmist uses the mule as an example of a creature without understanding that must be controlled with bit and bridle, contrasting it with the wisdom expected of human beings who should use their intelligence to follow God's guidance willingly rather than requiring external compulsion.
Related Verses19 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.George Morrish, "Mule," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Mule," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Mule," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).