Topical Bible: The Mule: Often Given As Tribute

◄ The Mule: Often Given As Tribute ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The mule, a hybrid animal resulting from the crossbreeding of a male donkey and a female horse, holds a unique place in biblical history and culture. Known for its strength, endurance, and sure-footedness, the mule was highly valued in ancient times, often serving as a symbol of wealth and status. In the biblical narrative, mules are frequently mentioned in contexts that highlight their significance as valuable assets, particularly in the context of tribute and diplomacy.

Biblical References and Context

The mule is first mentioned in the context of King David's reign. In 2 Samuel 18:9, Absalom, David's son, is described as riding a mule during his ill-fated rebellion. This incident underscores the mule's role as a royal mount, suitable for the sons of kings. The use of mules by royalty is further emphasized in 1 Kings 1:33, where King David instructs that Solomon be mounted on his own mule as a sign of his chosen succession: "Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son mount my own mule and take him down to Gihon."

Mules were also significant in the context of tribute and diplomacy. In 1 Kings 10:25, the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon is described, noting that she brought gifts, including mules, as part of her tribute: "Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons and spices, and horses and mules." This passage highlights the mule's value as a diplomatic gift, symbolizing wealth and the establishment of peaceful relations.

Similarly, in 2 Chronicles 9:24, the chronicler records the tribute brought to Solomon, which included mules: "Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons, and spices, as well as horses and mules." The repetition of this detail in both Kings and Chronicles underscores the mule's importance in the economic and political exchanges of the time.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

The mule's role as a tribute item reflects its broader cultural and symbolic significance in the ancient Near East. As a hybrid animal, the mule was valued for its superior qualities, combining the strength and endurance of a horse with the hardiness and sure-footedness of a donkey. This made mules particularly useful for transportation and labor in the rugged terrain of the region.

In addition to their practical uses, mules also carried symbolic weight. Their presence in royal and diplomatic contexts signified wealth, power, and the ability to command valuable resources. The giving of mules as tribute was not merely a transaction of goods but a gesture of respect and acknowledgment of the recipient's status.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of mules as tribute items offers insight into the economic and diplomatic practices of the ancient world. Their repeated mention in the context of royal and diplomatic exchanges highlights their value and significance in biblical times. Through these references, the Bible provides a window into the cultural and historical landscape of the ancient Near East, where mules played a vital role in the dynamics of power and diplomacy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 10:25
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Unknown Giver and the Misused Gifts
... God has given to many of you a great many mercies. ... How often have I seen something
of this sort take place! ... "Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the unknown giver and the.htm

The Papal Power in the Church
... But the Popes often found it convenient to obtain the ... regular revenues from estates
which had been given to the ... as he mounted and walk by the side of the mule. ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter x the papal power.htm

The Gospel of Luke
... stupid and stubborn as the ass or mule, cunning and ... 1. The full description here
given of fallen human nature ... It is indeed striking to see how often the Saviour ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of luke.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... The classical writers maintain that the Magi often cloaked monstrous ... Baal had not
long previously given over as ... the administrator paid over the tribute to the ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... marauding habits and the amount of tribute which they ... like their Canaanite neighbours,
they had given themselves up to ... usual haunts, a few days or often a few ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm