The term "brayed" in the context of the Bible typically refers to the act of crushing or grinding something into small pieces, often using a mortar and pestle. This term is used metaphorically in the Scriptures to describe the process of breaking down or humbling a person, particularly in relation to their pride or folly.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 27:22 : "Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him." This verse uses the imagery of braying to illustrate the stubbornness of folly in a fool. Despite the intense process of grinding, which symbolizes severe discipline or correction, the inherent foolishness remains. This highlights the deep-seated nature of folly and the difficulty of removing it without a change of heart.

2. Job 6:5 : "Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?" Here, the term "bray" is used in a different sense, referring to the vocalization of a donkey. The rhetorical question implies that creatures do not complain when their needs are met, drawing a parallel to human contentment and the natural response to satisfaction.

Theological Implications:

The concept of braying, particularly in Proverbs 27:22, serves as a metaphor for the human condition and the challenges of moral and spiritual transformation. It underscores the biblical teaching that external pressures or punishments alone are insufficient to change a person's heart or character. True transformation requires an internal change, often associated with repentance and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, the process of grinding grain was a common and necessary task for daily sustenance. The use of a mortar and pestle was a familiar image to the original audience of the Scriptures, making the metaphor of braying a fool particularly vivid and relatable. This imagery would have conveyed the intensity and thoroughness of the process, emphasizing the difficulty of eradicating deeply ingrained foolishness.

Practical Application:

For believers, the concept of braying serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and the need for divine intervention in overcoming personal folly. It encourages self-examination and reliance on God's wisdom rather than human understanding. The imagery also calls for patience and perseverance in the process of spiritual growth, recognizing that true change often requires time and divine assistance.

In summary, the biblical use of "brayed" provides a powerful metaphor for understanding the nature of human folly and the necessity of internal transformation through God's grace.(imp. & p. p.) of Bray.

The Cry of the Mortal to the Undying
... We have experienced so many things in vain, and we are of the 'fools' that, being
'brayed in a mortar,' are only brayed fools after all, unless life, with its ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the cry of the mortal.htm

The Day of Blood at Prague.
... long morning's work to be done, that work was begun at once; and as the heads of
the martyrs fell off the block in quick succession the trumpets brayed and the ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xv the day of.htm

The Adventures of Saint Denis of France.
... He would have brayed with delight, but, had he done so, he would have dropped the
roses, so he restrained himself till he had laid them before his master's nose ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter five the adventures of.htm

The Martyrdom of Stephen.
... nature gives some notices; and hence the celebrated saying of the philosopher
Anaxarchus, when he was condemned by the tyrant of Cyprus, to be brayed to death ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture ix the martyrdom of.htm

A Prince's Bride
... loosened sails flapped. Idle roaming donkeys brayed and a dog shut up and
forgotten in a compound barked incessantly. Presently there ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter i a princes bride.htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm

Brayed (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Brayed (1 Occurrence). Job 30:7 Among the bushes they
brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together. (KJV WBS NIV). ...
/b/brayed.htm - 6k

Bray (3 Occurrences)

/b/bray.htm - 8k

Brayeth (1 Occurrence)

/b/brayeth.htm - 6k

Collected (55 Occurrences)
... hand of the workmen. (WBS). Job 30:7 Among the bushes they brayed; under
the nettles they were collected. (WBS). Ecclesiastes 2:8 ...
/c/collected.htm - 23k

Brayed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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