Topical Bible: The Camel used for Carrying Burdens

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Topical Encyclopedia

The camel, a large, even-toed ungulate, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a beast of burden, particularly in the context of trade and travel across the arid regions of the Near East. Known for their ability to endure long journeys without water, camels were indispensable to the nomadic and trading cultures of the biblical world.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 24:10 · "Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of goods from his master in hand. So he set out and journeyed to Aram Naharaim, to the city of Nahor." In this passage, Abraham's servant uses camels to carry goods as he travels to find a wife for Isaac, illustrating the camel's role in transporting valuable items over long distances.

2. Genesis 37:25 · "As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm, and myrrh, and they were on their way down to Egypt." This verse highlights the camel's use in trade caravans, carrying goods such as spices and balm, which were highly valued in ancient commerce.

3. 1 Kings 10:2 · "She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke to him about all that was on her mind." The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon underscores the camel's role in royal and diplomatic exchanges, transporting gifts and treasures.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, camels were vital for survival and economic prosperity. Their ability to travel long distances without water made them ideal for traversing deserts and connecting distant regions. Camels could carry heavy loads, making them essential for trade routes such as the Incense Route, which facilitated the exchange of goods between Arabia, Africa, and the Mediterranean.

The domestication of camels is believed to have occurred around the second millennium BC, aligning with the patriarchal narratives in Genesis. This domestication allowed for the expansion of trade networks and the movement of people and goods across previously inaccessible areas.

Symbolism and Metaphor:

In biblical literature, camels are sometimes used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. For example, in Matthew 19:24, Jesus uses the camel in a hyperbolic statement to illustrate the difficulty for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God: "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." This metaphor emphasizes the challenges of wealth and spiritual humility.

Practical Uses:

Beyond their role in transportation and trade, camels provided milk, meat, and wool, contributing to the sustenance and economy of the people. Their dung was used as fuel, and their hides were crafted into various goods. The camel's multifaceted utility made it a cornerstone of life in the biblical world.

In summary, the camel's significance in the Bible extends beyond its physical attributes to encompass cultural, economic, and spiritual dimensions, reflecting its integral role in the life and narratives of the ancient Near East.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 37:25
And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spices and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 10:2
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 8:9
So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Your son Benhadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Appendix xvii. The Ordinances and Law of the Sabbath as Laid Down ...
... proceeds to discuss what is analogous to carrying, such as ... the touching of things
which are not used because they ... forbidden (to kill a flea is like a camel). ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvii the ordinances and.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... three kings, coming from their separate homes, used generally to ... such as horses or
big donkeys, carrying packages and ... another of the leaders on a camel and so ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

On the Interpretation of Scripture
... of man, or of the prophet who was girded with a garment of camel's hair, or ... We should
see how the word inspiration, from being used in a general way to express ...
/.../on the interpretation of scripture.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... only without the privileges but bound by, and subject to, various political burdens. ...
enable the Christians to escape from disadvantages in the carrying out of ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
... from getting by that esteem with the world, that they are but burdens and trouble ...
was wont to look scornfully upon the people of God, yea, that used to scorn ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... the first historian of England. For the earliest period he used what written
sources were available. His work becomes of independent ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm