Lexical Summary sarak: To hiss, to whistle Original Word: שָׂרַךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance traverse A primitive root; to interlace -- traverse. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to twist NASB Translation entangling (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שָׂרַךְ] verb twist (so ᵑ7 סְרַךְ (= Hebrew עִוָּה, עִוֵּה); perhaps akin to שׂרג, סרג; Talmud סָרַךְ is adhere, compare Aramaic  ,  ; Arabic  is share, participate, but  sandal-thong, snare); — Pi`el Participle feminine singular מְשָׂרֶכֶת דְּרָכֶיהָ Jeremiah 2:23 a swift dromedary entangling her ways (galloping aimlessly; figurative). Topical Lexicon Definition and Imagery Śāraḵ depicts a “young female camel,” an animal noted for agility, restlessness, and strong instinctual drives. In a desert culture where camels were prized for endurance and economic value, the picture of a youthful she-camel immediately evokes energy that is vigorous yet undisciplined. Biblical Occurrence Jeremiah 2:23 is the sole canonical appearance. Confronting Judah’s idolatry, the prophet says, “You are a swift young camel crisscrossing her ways” (Berean Standard Bible). The term is embedded in a larger indictment where Judah’s frenetic pursuit of foreign gods is likened to animal heat and unrestrained wanderings. Historical and Cultural Background Female camels were essential assets: they produced milk, birthed future herds, and could be sold at higher prices than males. A “young” she-camel had not yet been fully trained for caravan service; its unpredictable roaming was a familiar phenomenon to desert dwellers. Jeremiah leverages that common knowledge to make his accusation unavoidable to his audience. Theological Significance 1. Spiritual Infidelity. By choosing a sexually mature yet untamed animal, Jeremiah exposes Judah’s covenant unfaithfulness. The people profess innocence—“I am not defiled”—but their behavior reveals otherwise, mirroring the camel’s contradictory nature: valuable yet self-directed. Prophetic Application The figure of the young camel intensifies Jeremiah’s courtroom rhetoric. Judah’s “swift” (impulsive) and “entangled” (directionless) motion counters the steady, obedient journey God desired (compare Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 10:12-13). The metaphor not only condemns but also invites return: if a camel can be trained for useful service, so Judah can be restored through repentance. Practical Ministry Insights • Diagnose Hidden Idolatry. Modern disciples may claim moral purity while entertaining rival allegiances. Jeremiah’s camel compels honest self-examination. See Also Jeremiah 3:1-5; Hosea 2:14-23; Isaiah 30:6; James 4:4-10 Forms and Transliterations מְשָׂרֶ֥כֶת משרכת mə·śā·re·ḵeṯ mesaRechet məśāreḵeṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 2:23 HEB: בִּכְרָ֥ה קַלָּ֖ה מְשָׂרֶ֥כֶת דְּרָכֶֽיהָ׃ NAS: young camel entangling her ways, KJV: dromedary traversing her ways; INT: young swift entangling her ways 1 Occurrence |
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