The term "Mixed Multitude" refers to a diverse group of people who accompanied the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt. This group is mentioned in several passages of the Old Testament, primarily in the context of the Israelites' journey from slavery to the Promised Land.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 12:38 · The first mention of the Mixed Multitude occurs during the Exodus narrative: "A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a great number of livestock." This passage indicates that alongside the Israelites, a significant number of non-Israelites joined the departure from Egypt. These individuals may have been Egyptians or other foreigners residing in Egypt who chose to align themselves with the Israelites, possibly due to witnessing the power of the God of Israel through the plagues or seeking freedom from Egyptian oppression.

2. Numbers 11:4 · The Mixed Multitude is again mentioned in the context of the Israelites' complaints in the wilderness: "Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, 'Who will feed us meat?'" Here, the term "rabble" is often understood to refer to the Mixed Multitude, who were influential in stirring discontent among the Israelites. Their presence and influence are seen as contributing to the challenges Moses faced in leading the people.

Role and Influence:

The Mixed Multitude played a complex role in the narrative of the Exodus and the subsequent journey through the wilderness. Their presence among the Israelites highlights the inclusive nature of God's deliverance, extending beyond ethnic and national boundaries. However, their influence is also depicted as a source of temptation and discontent, as seen in their craving for the foods of Egypt and their role in inciting complaints against Moses and God.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the Mixed Multitude serves as a reminder of the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. While the Israelites were God's chosen people, the inclusion of non-Israelites in the Exodus narrative foreshadows the eventual inclusion of Gentiles in the covenant community through Christ. This theme of inclusivity is consistent with the broader biblical narrative, which emphasizes God's desire for all nations to come to know Him.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, it was not uncommon for groups of people to migrate together, especially during times of significant upheaval or opportunity. The presence of a Mixed Multitude reflects the social and cultural dynamics of the time, where various ethnic groups could be found living in close proximity, often sharing in each other's fortunes and misfortunes.

Challenges and Lessons:

The challenges posed by the Mixed Multitude underscore the difficulties of maintaining faith and unity in the face of diverse influences and desires. Their account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of longing for the past and the importance of trusting in God's provision and guidance. The narrative encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even when faced with internal and external pressures.

In summary, the Mixed Multitude is a significant yet complex element of the Exodus account, illustrating both the inclusivity of God's deliverance and the challenges of maintaining faithfulness amidst diversity. Their presence among the Israelites offers valuable insights into the nature of community, faith, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.Mixed Multitude

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

Mixed Multitude

When the Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, the first stage of the exodus from Egypt, there were up with them "a mixed multitude." (Exodus 12:38; Numbers 11:4) They were probably the offspring of marriages contracted between the Israelites and the Egyptians; and the term may also include all those who were not of pure Israelite blood. In Exodus and Numbers it probably denoted the miscellaneous hangers-on of the Hebrew camp, whether they were the issue of spurious marriages with Egyptians or were themselves Egyptians, or belonging to other nations. The same happened on the return from Babylon, and in (Nehemiah 13:3) (comp. vs Nehe 13:23-30) a slight clue is given by which the meaning of the "mixed multitude" may be more definitely ascertained.

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

628. asaphsuph -- a collection, rabble
... mixed multitude. By reduplication from 'acuph; gathered up together, ie A promiscuous
assemblage (of people) -- mixt multitude. see HEBREW 'acuph. 627, 628. ...
/hebrew/628.htm - 6k

Pearls Before Swine.
... "Nothing is more difficult, my brethren, than to reason concerning the
truth in the presence of a mixed multitude of people. For ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter i pearls before swine.htm

The Exodus
... And then, besides these, there went out with them an exceeding great company"a mixed
multitude. ... And that mixed multitude have their representatives now. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exodus.htm

Through the Red Sea
... But no one stopped to take notice that this was an Egyptian, totally unlike those
among the "mixed multitude" that had come to join Israel; nor did any wonder ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlv through the red.htm

Examples of the Various Styles, Drawn from the Teachers of the ...
... For the kid's flesh refers to the guilt of the outward act, the broth to the allurement
of lust within, as it is written, And the mixed multitude that was ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 21 examples of the various.htm

The Morning. AD 1100-1250
... and by their vain preaching impelled all kinds of men to go forth to deliver Jerusalem
from the Saracens." It goes on to describe the mixed multitude that was ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter iii the morning a d.htm

The Greek of the Septuagint.
... the mercenary class (to misthophorikon), who may be roughly identified with the
Jews, and the Greeks of the Brucheion, a mixed multitude claiming Hellenic ...
/.../chapter iv the greek of.htm

The Great Distress the Jews were in Upon the Conflagration of the ...
... also came to the rest of the cloisters that were in the outer [court of the] temple,
whither the women and children, and a great mixed multitude of the people ...
/.../chapter 5 the great distress.htm

Conclusion
... the former case. There Jesus had to do with a mixed multitude of strangers.
Here he is talking with his own disciples. Yet he forbears ...
/.../section iii conclusion.htm

The World Our Enemy.
... is a something dangerous to our spiritual interests, and that it is in some way
connected with human society"with men as a mixed multitude, contrasted with ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon iii the world our.htm

The Old Faiths and the New
... The population consisted of Greeks, Jews, Italians, and a mixed multitude;
it was excitable, pleasure loving, and mercurial. In ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study viii the old faiths.htm

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