The term "mottled" refers to something that is marked with spots or blotches of different colors or shades. In the context of the Bible, this term is often associated with descriptions of animals, particularly in the Old Testament, where specific markings on animals could have significant implications for their use in sacrifices, breeding, or symbolism.

Biblical References:

One of the most notable references to mottled animals is found in the account of Jacob and Laban in the Book of Genesis. Jacob, having served Laban for many years, seeks to establish his own wealth. He proposes a deal where he would take all the speckled, spotted, and mottled livestock as his wages. Genesis 30:32-33 states: "Let me pass through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb, and every spotted or mottled goat. These will be my wages. So my integrity will testify for me in the future: When you come to check on my wages, any goat in my possession that is not speckled or spotted, or any lamb that is not dark-colored, will be considered stolen."

Jacob's strategy, which involved selective breeding and possibly divine intervention, resulted in a large and prosperous flock. This account highlights the significance of mottled animals in the narrative, symbolizing God's blessing and provision for Jacob despite Laban's attempts to deceive him.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical symbolism, mottled animals can represent diversity and the unexpected ways in which God can bless His people. The account of Jacob's mottled flock serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises, even when circumstances seem unfavorable. The mottled animals, therefore, become a testament to God's providence and the rewards of faithfulness and integrity.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the appearance and markings of animals were often considered significant. Mottled animals might have been seen as less desirable for certain purposes, such as sacrifices, which typically required animals without blemish. However, in the context of Jacob's account, the mottled animals become a symbol of divine favor and ingenuity.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the account of the mottled animals in Genesis underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and His ability to work through human actions to achieve His divine purposes. It also reflects the biblical principle that God can use what is seemingly imperfect or undesirable to accomplish His will, turning what might be seen as a disadvantage into a blessing.

In summary, the concept of "mottled" in the Bible, while primarily descriptive, carries deeper symbolic and theological meanings, particularly in the narrative of Jacob and Laban. It serves as a powerful illustration of God's providence and the unexpected ways in which He fulfills His promises to His people.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Mottle.

2. (a.) Marked with spots of different colors; variegated; spotted; as, mottled wood.

1261. barod -- spotted, marked
... 1260, 1261. barod. 1262 . spotted, marked. Transliteration: barod Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-rode') Short Definition: mottled. Word ...
/hebrew/1261.htm - 6k

Pagan Philosophy the Parent of Heresies the Connection Between ...
... 1927] who had himself taught that "the Lord should be sought in simplicity of heart."
[1928] Away with [1929] all attempts to produce a mottled Christianity of ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter vii pagan philosophy the parent.htm

The Next Night Diamond was Seated by his Open Window...
... But soon he began to see that the sky was very lovely, with mottled clouds all about
the moon, on which she threw faint colours like those of mother-of-pearl ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 37 the next night.htm

By, Through, Unto
... the rubble had to be cased over, or taken out and replaced by the lucent slab that
reflected the light, and showed, by its reflecting, its own mottled beauty. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/by through unto.htm

Chapter xxxi
... control. Berudhim ("spotted") seems to involve bigger spots than nequddim
("speckled") which seems to involve a being mottled. Therefore ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... Some said that the sky was the Great Horus, Haroeris, the sparrow-hawk of mottled
plumage which hovers in highest air, and whose gaze embraces the whole field ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
... But here comes the King of kings, the Prince of the kings of the earth; no mottled
steed, no prancing horse which would keep at a distance the sons of poverty ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the triumphal entry into jerusalem.htm

Discourse viii. The Help of Religion.
... humanity. Ascend now some lofty post of observation; some high watch-tower.
The mottled tide flows and dashes far below you. The ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse viii the help of.htm

Hymns of Suffering and Trust.
... Mr. Gough eyed him with strong aversion. The man's face was mottled, his
limbs and mouth twitched, and he mumbled singular sounds. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter v hymns of suffering.htm

The American Experiments, 1734-1762.
... canoe, he sped through primeval forests, by flowers of the tulip tree, through roaring
rapids, round beetling bluffs, past groups of mottled rattlesnakes that ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiv the american experiments.htm

Mottled (2 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Mottle. 2. (a.) Marked with spots of different colors; variegated; spotted;
as, mottled wood. Multi-Version Concordance Mottled (2 Occurrences). ...
/m/mottled.htm - 7k

Motives (13 Occurrences)

/m/motives.htm - 10k

Roe (21 Occurrences)
... Sometimes applied, loosely, to the sperm and the testes of the male. 4. (n.) A mottled
appearance of light and shade in wood, especially in mahogany. Int. ...
/r/roe.htm - 15k

Moulded (2 Occurrences)

/m/moulded.htm - 7k

Myrtle (7 Occurrences)
... The flowers, leaves, and berries are used variously in perfumery and as a condiment,
and the beautifully mottled wood is used in turning. Int. ...
/m/myrtle.htm - 12k

Bittern (4 Occurrences)
... 1/2 ft. in length. It had a 4-inch bill, bright eyes and plumage of buff
and chestnut, mottled with black. It lived around swamps ...
/b/bittern.htm - 14k

Mottled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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