Original Word: פִרְדֶּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: pirdah
Pronunciation: peer-DAH
Phonetic Spelling: (pir-daw')
KJV: mule
NASB: mule
Word Origin: [feminine of H6505 (פֶּרֶד - mules)]

1. a she-mule

mule

Feminine of pered; a she-mule -- mule.

see HEBREW pered

Word Origin
from the same as pered
Definition
a female mule
NASB Translation
mule (3).

מִּרְדָּה noun feminine she-mule; — ׳פ ridden by king 1 Kings 1:33, construct מִּרְדַּת הַמֶּלֶךְ 1 Kings 1:38; 1 Kings 1:44.

Pirdah (Strong’s Hebrew 6506)

Overview

Pirdah designates a female mule and appears exclusively in the enthronement narrative of Solomon (1 Kings 1). Although a humble beast of burden, the royal mule becomes a chosen instrument for declaring God’s orderly succession in the Davidic line.

Occurrences in Scripture

1 Kings 1:33, 38, 44 present the only biblical uses of the term. David commands, “Have my son Solomon mount my own mule” (1 Kings 1:33), and the command is carried out twice more as Solomon is escorted to Gihon and proclaimed king. The repetition underscores the animal’s role as a visible token of legitimacy, witnessed by priest, prophet, military, and populace alike.

Royal Symbolism and Messianic Foreshadowing

1. Peaceful Authority. In contrast to the war-horse, the mule signified peaceful governance. David’s choice projects a reign characterized by covenantal blessing rather than conquest, anticipating Solomon’s very name (“peace”).
2. Legitimacy. Riding the king’s personal mount vouched for Solomon’s divine and dynastic right. No other public act so quickly silenced rival claims (notably Adonijah’s coup attempt).
3. Messianic Echo. Zechariah 9:9 foretells a future king entering Zion “humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The pirdah incident establishes a precedent later fulfilled by Jesus Christ (Matthew 21:1-11; John 12:12-15), linking Solomon’s peaceful enthronement to the Messiah’s triumphant yet humble entry.

Ceremonial and Cultural Background

Mules, the hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a mare, were prized for endurance in the rugged Judean terrain. While Leviticus 19:19 forbids Israelites from breeding different kinds of animals, Scripture nowhere bans their use; the animals were likely obtained through trade with neighboring nations (compare 2 Samuel 13:29; 1 Chronicles 12:40). Royal ownership of mules is attested in the wider Ancient Near Eastern world and is reflected in the court lists of early Israel (2 Samuel 18:9). Possession of a pirdah thus communicated wealth, wisdom, and status without the militaristic overtones of chariots or horses (Deuteronomy 17:16).

Practical Ministry Insights

• Divine Election over Human Ambition: Solomon’s ride on David’s pirdah demonstrates that God-ordained authority supersedes self-promotion. Ministry leaders should seek confirmation from Scripture and the body of believers rather than personal campaigns.
• Humility as Strength: The mule, a modest creature, bore the weight of royal investiture. Likewise, authentic ministry often travels on humble means that magnify God’s sovereignty.
• Visible Affirmation of Transition: Public, orderly handoffs protect congregations from division much as Solomon’s procession forestalled civil unrest.

Related Scriptures

1 Kings 1:33; 1 Kings 1:38; 1 Kings 1:44

Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5; John 12:14-15

2 Samuel 13:29; 2 Samuel 18:9; 1 Chronicles 12:40; Deuteronomy 17:16

Key Takeaways

Pirdah, though mentioned only three times, carries theological weight: it enshrines Solomon’s God-sanctioned kingship, models peaceful leadership, and offers a prophetic glimpse of the true Son of David whose gentle procession would secure everlasting peace.

הַפִּרְדָּ֖ה הפרדה פִּרְדַּ֖ת פִּרְדַּ֥ת פרדת hap·pir·dāh happirDah happirdāh pir·daṯ pirDat pirdaṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts