Mouldy

The word mouldy occurs in the account of the Gibeonite deception in Joshua 9. The Gibeonites, fearing Israel's advance through Canaan, disguised themselves as a delegation from a distant country, presenting worn sandals, patched wineskins, and dry, mouldy bread as evidence of a long journey (Josh. 9:5, 12). The Hebrew word rendered "mouldy" (nikuddim) more precisely denotes bread that has hardened into crumbling, brittle pieces — dried to the consistency of cracknels — rather than bread visibly grown with mold. Their ruse succeeded: the Israelite leaders failed to inquire of the LORD and swore a covenant of peace with the Gibeonites (Josh. 9:14–15). When the deception was discovered, Israel honored its oath but made the Gibeonites perpetual servants — woodcutters and water-carriers for the sanctuary. The episode illustrates the danger of acting on appearances without seeking divine counsel.