Mingled People
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The term "Mingled People" appears in the Bible primarily in the context of prophetic literature, where it is used to describe groups of people of mixed ethnic or national backgrounds. This term is often associated with the nations surrounding Israel and is used to convey themes of judgment, diversity, and the complexity of human societies.

Biblical References:

1. Jeremiah 25:20 · In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah lists the nations that will drink from the cup of God's wrath, including "all the mingled people." The Berean Standard Bible states: "and all the foreign people; all the kings of the land of Uz; all the kings of the Philistines—Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod." Here, "mingled people" refers to those who are not of pure Israelite descent, highlighting the inclusivity of God's judgment.

2. Jeremiah 50:37 · This verse speaks of the impending judgment on Babylon, mentioning "a sword against her horses and chariots and all the foreigners in her ranks." The BSB translates this as: "A sword is against her horses and chariots and against all the foreigners in her midst, and they will become like women. A sword is against her treasures, and they will be plundered." The "foreigners" or "mingled people" in Babylon are depicted as part of the empire's military and economic strength, which will ultimately fail.

3. Ezekiel 30:5 · In the prophecy against Egypt, Ezekiel mentions "Ethiopia, Put, Lud, all the mingled people, Libya, and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt." The BSB reads: "Cush and Put, Lud and all the various peoples, and Libya and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt." This indicates a coalition of diverse groups aligned with Egypt, all of whom will face divine retribution.

Theological Implications:

The concept of "mingled people" in the Bible often serves as a reminder of the universality of God's sovereignty and judgment. It underscores the idea that God's dealings are not limited to Israel alone but extend to all nations and peoples. The presence of "mingled people" in prophetic texts highlights the interconnectedness of ancient Near Eastern societies and the complex relationships between Israel and its neighbors.

From a theological perspective, the inclusion of "mingled people" in these prophecies can be seen as a reflection of the biblical theme that God's plans and purposes transcend ethnic and national boundaries. It also serves as a warning that reliance on human alliances and strength, represented by these diverse groups, is ultimately futile in the face of divine judgment.

Historical Context:

Historically, the term "mingled people" likely refers to the various ethnic groups that inhabited the regions surrounding Israel and Judah. These groups often formed part of larger empires or coalitions, such as Babylon or Egypt, and were characterized by their diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The presence of "mingled people" in these empires reflects the historical reality of migration, trade, and conquest that led to the blending of populations in the ancient Near East.

In summary, the "mingled people" in the Bible represent the diverse and interconnected nature of human societies, serving as a backdrop for the unfolding of God's redemptive history. Through the prophetic literature, they remind readers of the comprehensive scope of God's judgment and the ultimate futility of human alliances apart from divine guidance.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Mingled People

MINGLED PEOPLE; (MIXED MULTITUDE)

min'-g'-ld pe'-pl:

(1) "Mixed multitude" occurs in Numbers 11:4 as a translation of asaphcuph, "collection," "rabble." The same phrase in Exodus 12:38 Nehemiah 13:3 is the rendition of erebh. "Mingled people" is used also to translate `erebh, and is found in Jeremiah 25:20, 24; Jeremiah 50:37 Ezekiel 30:5, and in 1 Kings 10:15 the Revised Version (British and American) (the King James Version "Arabia"; compare the American Revised Version margin). In the last case both revised versions have followed the pointing of the Massoretic Text, and this pointing alone distinguishes "mingled people" (`erebh) from "Arabia" (`arabh); in the unvocalized text both words are equally `-r-b. Now "the traffic of the merchants, and of all the kings of the mingled people, and of the governors of the country" is very awkward, and the correction into "Arabia," as in the Massoretic Text (and English Versions of the Bible) of the parallel 2 Chronicles 9:14, is indicated. Probably the same change should be made in Ezekiel 30:5, reading "Ethiopia, and Put, and Lud, and Arabia, and Cub." A similar textual confusion seems to be responsible for either "and all the kings of Arabia" or "and all the kings of the mingled people" in Jeremiah 25:24. On all these verses see the commentaries.

(2) In Jeremiah 25:20; Jeremiah 50:37, "mingled people" is a term of contempt for the hybrid blood of certain of Israel's enemies. Something of this same contempt may be contained in Exodus 12:38, where a multitude of non-Israelite camp-followers are mentioned as accompanying the children of Israel in the exodus, and in Numbers 11:4 it is this motley body that seduced Israel to sin. But who they were, why they wished or were permitted to join in the exodus, and what eventually became of them or of their descendants is a very perplexing puzzle. In Nehemiah 13:3, the "mixed multitude" consists of the inhabitants of Palestine whom the Jews found there after the return from the exile (see SAMARIA). In accord with the command of Deuteronomy 23:3-5, the Jews withdrew from all religious intercourse whatever had been established with these.

NOTE.-The Hebrew noun for "mingled people" may or may not be connected with the verb translated "mingle" in Ezra 9:2 Psalm 106:35 Daniel 2:43. On this see the lexicons.

Burton Scott Easton

Strong's Hebrew
6154. ereb -- mixture, mixed company
... ereb. 6154a . mixture, mixed company. Transliteration: ereb Phonetic Spelling:
(ay'-reb) Short Definition: Arabia. Arabia, mingled people, mixed multitude, woof ...
/hebrew/6154.htm - 5k
Library

It is Related Also that vinegar was Given Him to Drink, or Wine ...
... of bitterness." And again, the Prophet upbraiding them says, "Oh foolish people
and unwise ... Here the Prophet has plainly set forth the wine mingled with myrrh ...
/.../26 it is related also.htm

Building in Troublous Times
... It came from the Samaritans, the mingled people who were partly descendants of the
ancient remnant of the northern kingdom, left behind after the removal by ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/building in troublous times.htm

Christ with Chrism, Lo!
... and all-lifegiving Blood, is sprinkled inwardly in your bodies, is mingled in your ...
13. The anointing of the People was"a foreshadowing of Christ; their rod a ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iii christ with chrism.htm

The Dryness of Preachers, and the Various Evils which Arise from ...
... excuse given is that there is danger in this way, or that ignorant people are incapable ...
eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled" (Proverbs 9 ...
/.../chapter xviii the dryness of.htm

The Character of Christ's People
... The Lord's people should not go along with the rest in their worldliness ... for the
world, when the sons of God and the daughters of men were mingled together: and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the character of christs people.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To the Clergy and People Abiding in Spain ...
... And the bishop should be chosen in the presence of the people, who have most ... consent
unto those who do such things"who, while they are mingled in unlawful ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxvii to the clergy.htm

Happy are Ye Whose Bodies have Been Made to Shine!
... this salt,"the sweet salt that came from Mary,"that was mingled in the ... they the
waters,"those waters of strife,"beside which the people strove,"and ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn viii happy are ye.htm

The Events which Took Place in Jerusalem During the Reign of Nero.
... The friend accomplished it by introducing a number of robbers into the city, who,
being unknown, mingled freely with the people and slew Jonathan and many ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xx the events which took.htm

Epistle Lxii. C??cilius, on the Sacrament of the Cup of the Lord.
... But when the water is mingled in the cup with wine, the people is made one with
Christ, and the assembly of believers is associated and conjoined with Him on ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxii caecilius on the.htm

An Exhortation to the People Respecting Fortitude and Patience...
... An exhortation to the people respecting fortitude and patience, from the examples
of ... bodies being altogether consumed, and their ashes being mingled with the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iv an exhortation to.htm

Resources
Which psalms predict the coming of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Porcius Festus? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said “I am the door” (John 10:7)? | GotQuestions.org

Mingled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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