Joshua 9:12

Mouldy. The word here translated “mouldy” is used only three times in the Old Testament, twice in this chapter (verses 5, 12) and in 1 Kings 14:3, where it is translated “cracknels” (“cakes,” margin). In this last instance it would be impossible to translate it “mouldy,” and there is a question as to whether it should be so translated here. It has been suggested that it would be appropriate to translate it the same way in Joshua as in 1 Kings. Furthermore, in the case of each of occurrence in Joshua the word is preceded by the perfect tense of the verb “to be.” Thus here it would read literally, “And now, behold, it is dry, and it was cakes.” Most translators and commentators, however, take it to mean “mouldy” (see Patriarchs and Prophets 505).