פִּרְדָּה (pir.dah)
pir.dah
female mule
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pardah refers specifically to a female mule. In the biblical text, this animal appears in only three verses, all located within the narrative of King Solomon’s reign in 1 Kings. The word distinguishes the she-mule from its male counterpart, ensuring precision when describing the king’s vast transportation fleet.
Its rarity in Scripture highlights the extraordinary wealth and logistical power of Solomon’s court. By specifying this hybrid animal, the text underscores the scale of resources available to the monarchy. The term does not carry metaphorical or theological weight; it serves as a concrete marker of imperial status and material abundance in the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pardah simply means a female mule, appearing only three times in the Hebrew Bible. In each case, it is part of the story about Solomon’s rise to power. These verses describe how King David arranged for Solomon to ride his own mule during a public ceremony at Gihon. This act was not just about transportation; it was a clear signal to everyone present that Solomon had been chosen as the next king.
While this word does not carry deep theological symbolism, it reminds us that God works through real-world details and human actions. The careful arrangement of a royal mule helped establish order during a tense moment in Israel’s history. It shows that even small, practical things can play a role in fulfilling God’s plans for leadership and succession.
For your faith life, this word invites you to notice how God uses ordinary means to accomplish His purposes. Whether it is a royal mule or a simple daily task, God is present in the details of our lives. We can trust that He guides history and our personal journeys with care and precision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] mule of2×
- the/ mule1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פִּרְדַּ֥ת1×
- פִּרְדַּ֖ת1×
- הַ/פִּרְדָּ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 1:33
The king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.
This verse establishes the command for Solomon to ride David’s mule, marking the official start of his public recognition as heir.
-
I Kings 1:38
So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.
Here the mule is used in the actual ceremony where key leaders escort Solomon, confirming his authority before the people.
-
I Kings 1:44
The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and they have caused him to ride on the king’s mule.
This verse summarizes the event for Adonijah’s supporters, using the mule ride as proof that God’s chosen king has already been installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word pardah mean?
Why is this word significant in the Bible?
Does this word have any spiritual or metaphorical meaning?
Where else do mules appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
I Kings 3 verses
The king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule, and…
I Kings 1:38So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down…
I Kings 1:44The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and…