In the context of the Bible, the term "mouldy" is primarily associated with bread or food that has become stale or spoiled. This concept is notably mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Joshua, where it serves as a significant element in the narrative of the Gibeonite deception.

Biblical Reference:

· Joshua 9:12-13 : "This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now, behold, it is dry and mouldy. These wineskins were new when we filled them, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out from the very long journey."

In this passage, the Gibeonites, fearing the Israelites, resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty. They presented themselves as ambassadors from a distant land, using mouldy bread as evidence of their long journey. The Israelites, without seeking the counsel of the Lord, were deceived by the appearance of the mouldy bread and other worn-out provisions, leading to a covenant with the Gibeonites.

Symbolism and Lessons:

The mouldy bread in this account symbolizes deceit and the importance of discernment. The Israelites' failure to consult God before making a decision serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of relying solely on human perception and judgment. The mouldy bread, therefore, becomes a metaphor for the superficial appearances that can lead to misguided decisions when not weighed against divine guidance.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, bread was a staple food, and its freshness was a sign of hospitality and provision. Mouldy bread, on the other hand, indicated neglect or the passage of time. The Gibeonites' use of mouldy bread was a strategic choice, as it played into the cultural understanding of travel and sustenance, making their account more believable to the Israelites.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the incident with the mouldy bread underscores the necessity of seeking God's wisdom in all matters. It highlights human vulnerability to deception and the importance of spiritual vigilance. The narrative encourages believers to look beyond outward appearances and to seek divine insight in their decisions.

Practical Application:

For contemporary believers, the account of the mouldy bread serves as a reminder to prioritize prayer and consultation with God in decision-making processes. It also encourages a deeper examination of situations that may seem straightforward but could harbor hidden complexities. The mouldy bread narrative calls for a reliance on God's wisdom rather than solely on human understanding.Of the Gibeonites it is said that "all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy" (Joshua 9:5, 12). The Hebrew word here rendered "mouldy" (nikuddim) is rendered "cracknels" in 1 Kings 14:3, and denotes a kind of crisp cake. The meaning is that the bread of the Gibeonites had become dry and hard, hard as biscuits, and thus was an evidence of the length of the journey they had travelled. 1. (superl.) Overgrown with, or containing, mold; as, moldy cheese or bread.

2. (a.) See Moldy.

5350. niqqud -- perhaps what is crumbled or easily crumbles ...
... Crumb, Biscuit. From the same as naqod; a crumb (as broken to spots); also a biscuit
(as pricked) -- cracknel, mouldy. see HEBREW naqod. 5349, 5350. ...
/hebrew/5350.htm - 6k

The Waterpots at Cana
... When the Lord multiplied loaves and fishes, they must eat the loaves and fishes
directly, or else the bread would grow mouldy, and the fish would be putrid ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the waterpots at cana.htm

The Plea of Faith
... the Bible. I do verily believe there are more mouldy Bibles in this world
than there are of any sort of neglected books. We have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the plea of faith.htm

On Easter Day
... And if you ask the reason why,. 'Twas mere for Mercy's end. Yet that grim Death
and mouldy Grave. No longer be His prison. Than He Himself alone would have,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/xcvi on easter day.htm

Of the Dry Stick Which, at the Bidding of his Senior, Abbot John ...
... previously been cut and got ready to make the fire with, and which, as no opportunity
for cooking had come, was lying not merely dry but even mouldy from the ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxiv of the dry.htm

Obadiah
... of so-called Christians, the anti-Christian literature which is peculiarly fascinating
to the young, with its brave show of breaking with mouldy tradition and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/obadiah.htm

The King's Charge to his Ambassadors
... faith. Corn hoarded is sure to be spoiled by weevils and rust. The bread
of life hidden in our sacks will certainly go mouldy. The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the kings charge to his.htm

Christian Graces.
... taken away, and new and warm put in its place, to show that God has but little delight
in the service of his own people, when their duties grow stale and mouldy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xviii christian graces.htm

The Cocal
... In an air saturated with moisture specimens turn black and mouldy, and drop to pieces;
and unless turned over and exposed to every chance burst of sunshine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xiii the cocal.htm

The Mission of the Son of Man
... had any strength left they felt they were not lost; as long as they could see a
sail they felt there was yet hope; while there was yet a mouldy biscuit left ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the mission of the son.htm

The Poor Man's Friend
... We turned all our good works over, but they had all become mouldy and
worm-eaten, and they stank in our nostrils. We tried our prayers. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the poor mans friend.htm

Mouldy (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Of the Gibeonites it is said that "all the bread of their
provision was dry and mouldy" (Joshua 9:5, 12). ...Mouldy (2 Occurrences). ...
/m/mouldy.htm - 7k

Crumbs (8 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:5 and old and patched shoes upon their feet, and old garments upon them;
and all the bread of their provision was dry and was become mouldy. ...
/c/crumbs.htm - 8k

Mound (17 Occurrences)

/m/mound.htm - 12k

Ophni (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Mouldy, a city of Benjamin (Joshua 18:24). Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OPHNI. of'-ni (ha-`ophni; Aphne ...
/o/ophni.htm - 7k

Worn (29 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:5 and old and patched shoes upon their feet, and old garments upon them;
and all the bread of their provision was dry and was become mouldy. ...
/w/worn.htm - 14k

Moulded (2 Occurrences)

/m/moulded.htm - 7k

Clouted (1 Occurrence)
... Joshua 9:5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them;
and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. (KJV JPS). ...
/c/clouted.htm - 6k

Cake (25 Occurrences)
... They described their bread as "mouldy;" but the Hebrew word nikuddim, here used,
ought rather to be rendered "hard as biscuit." It is rendered "cracknels" in 1 ...
/c/cake.htm - 17k

Sandals (30 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Joshua 9:5 and old and patched sandals upon their feet, and old garments
upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. ...
/s/sandals.htm - 16k

Moldy (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (superl.) Alt. of Mouldy. Multi-Version Concordance
Moldy (2 Occurrences). Joshua 9:5 and old and patched ...
/m/moldy.htm - 7k

Mouldy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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