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MULE.—
(1) pered (m.) and pirdâh (f.)—in all passages except three.
(2) rekesh, RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘swift steeds’ (Est_8:10; Est_8:14). The tr. [Note: translate or translation.] ‘swift’ is purely conjectural.
(3) yçmîm, Gen_36:24, where ‘mules’ is certainly a mistranslation; RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘hot springs.’
The breeding of mules was forbidden to the Israelites (Lev_19:19), but from David’s time (2Sa_13:29; 2Sa_18:9) onwards (1Ki_1:33; 1Ki_10:25; 1Ki_18:5) they appear to have been increasingly used. The returning Israelites brought 245 mules with them (Ezr_2:66). Mules are preferred in Palestine to-day as pack animals (cf. 1Ch_12:40, 2Ki_5:17). they are hardier, subsist on less food, and travel better on rough roads. A well-trained mule is a favourite riding animal with the highest officials in the land.
E. W. G. Masterman.