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פֶּרֶד

𐤐𐤓𐤃

pered

H6505 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פרד to separate, to divide, to disperse

Definition

A sterile hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; a mule. In biblical contexts, 'pered' refers specifically to the animal used as a riding beast or for bearing burdens, valued for its strength and endurance. The term designates the mule as distinct from horses (סוּס) and donkeys (חֲמוֹר), highlighting its mixed origin and unique role among domesticated animals.

Semantic Range

mule as a hybrid animal, riding animal, beast of burden, animal significant for royal or prestigious transportation

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root פָּרַד (parad), meaning 'to separate, divide.' The form פֶּרֶד (pered) denotes the animal produced through mixture but recognized as a distinct, separate category, likely emphasizing its non-naturally occurring, hybrid status.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, mules (פֶּרֶד) appear as valued and often prestigious animals, sometimes associated with royalty or high-ranking individuals, especially during the monarchic period (e.g., 2 Samuel 13:29; 18:9; 1 Kings 1:33). Their role as a sign of wealth or distinction may differ from their later utilitarian status. The preference for 'mule' in English translations accurately captures the animal meant, though ancient Israelite sources likely viewed them as notable hybrids rather than mere beasts of burden. The law in Deuteronomy 22:10, which forbids yoking an ox and donkey together, may reflect broader concerns about mixtures in livestock, which relate indirectly to the status of mules. The related term אַרְבֶּה‎ (arba'ah) does not denote this animal but should not be confused. In post-exilic and later Jewish literature, the status of the mule as an impure or problematic animal is sometimes discussed but is not explicit in biblical usage itself.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from פָּרַד; a mule (perhaps from his lonely habits); mule.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פרד (p-r-d) — to separate, divide, disperse

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6504 פָּרַד in his causing separation
H6506 פִּרְדָּה the she-mule
H6507 פְּרֻדָה separated grains
H6514 פְּרוּדָא Separated-One

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6505-01 הַ/פֶּ֗רֶד hapered HTd/Ncmsa the mule the separated hybrid 3
H6505-06 וּ/פְרָדִ֑ים uferadim HC/Ncmpa and mules and hybrid mules 3
H6505-07 וּ/בַ/פְּרָדִ֜ים uvaperadim HC/Rd/Ncmpa and on mules and on the mules 2
H6505-03 פְּרָדִ֖ים peradim HNcmpa of mules mules 1
H6505-09 וְ/הַ/פֶּ֥רֶד vehapered HC/Td/Ncmsa and the mule and the hybrid mule 1
H6505-02 כְּ/פֶרֶד֮ kefered HR/Ncmsa or like a mule hybrid mule 1
H6505-05 פִּרְדּ֖/וֹ piredo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his mule his mule 1
H6505-08 וָ/פֶ֔רֶד vafered HC/Ncmsa and mules and a hybrid mule 1
H6505-04 פִּרְדֵי/הֶ֕ם piredeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their mules their mules 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6505-05 2 Samuel 13:29 פִּרְדּ֖/וֹ piredo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his mule his mule
H6505-01 2 Samuel 18:9 הַ/פֶּ֗רֶד hapered HTd/Ncmsa the mule the separated hybrid
H6505-01 2 Samuel 18:9 הַ/פֶּ֡רֶד hapered-2 HTd/Ncmsa the mule the separated hybrid
H6505-09 2 Samuel 18:9 וְ/הַ/פֶּ֥רֶד vehapered HC/Td/Ncmsa and the mule and the hybrid mule
H6505-06 1 Kings 10:25 וּ/פְרָדִ֑ים uferadim HC/Ncmpa and mules and hybrid mules
H6505-08 1 Kings 18:5 וָ/פֶ֔רֶד vafered HC/Ncmsa and mules and a hybrid mule
H6505-03 2 Kings 5:17 פְּרָדִ֖ים peradim HNcmpa of mules mules
H6505-07 Isaiah 66:20 וּ/בַ/פְּרָדִ֜ים uvaperadim HC/Rd/Ncmpa and-on-mules and on the mules
H6505-06 Ezekiel 27:14 וּ/פְרָדִ֔ים uferadim HC/Ncmpa and mules and hybrid mules
H6505-01 Zechariah 14:15 הַ/פֶּ֨רֶד֙ hapered HTd/Ncmsa of the mule the separated hybrid
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