Topical Bible: The Camel: Coarse Cloth Made from Its Hair

◄ The Camel: Coarse Cloth Made from Its Hair ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The camel, a significant animal in biblical times, is often mentioned in the Scriptures for its utility and symbolism. One of the notable uses of the camel, beyond its role as a beast of burden and a symbol of wealth, is the production of coarse cloth from its hair. This cloth, known for its durability and rough texture, was a common material in the ancient Near East.

Biblical References and Context

The camel is first introduced in the Bible in the context of wealth and trade. In Genesis 24:10, Abraham's servant takes ten camels to Mesopotamia, indicating the wealth and status of Abraham's household. The camel's hair, however, is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible as a material for clothing, but historical and cultural contexts provide insights into its use.

Cultural and Historical Insights

Camel hair was a practical material in the arid regions of the Middle East. The hair, collected during the molting season, was spun into yarn and woven into a coarse fabric. This fabric was used for making garments, tents, and sacks. The rough texture of camel hair cloth made it suitable for outer garments, providing protection against harsh weather conditions.

John the Baptist's Garment

One of the most notable biblical figures associated with camel hair is John the Baptist. In Matthew 3:4, it is recorded, "John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey." This attire was symbolic of John's prophetic role and his call to repentance. The coarse garment of camel hair was reminiscent of the attire of Old Testament prophets, such as Elijah, who also wore a garment of hair (2 Kings 1:8). John's choice of clothing signified his ascetic lifestyle and his separation from worldly comforts.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The use of camel hair in John the Baptist's garment carries deeper spiritual symbolism. The roughness of the fabric can be seen as a representation of humility and repentance, themes central to John's ministry. His lifestyle and clothing were a stark contrast to the opulence of the religious leaders of his time, emphasizing a return to simplicity and devotion to God.

Practical Uses in Biblical Times

Beyond its symbolic use, camel hair cloth was practical for everyday life in biblical times. It was used to make tents, which were essential for nomadic lifestyles, as seen in the lives of the patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The durability of camel hair made it an ideal material for such purposes, providing shelter and protection in the desert environment.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not extensively detail the use of camel hair for cloth, the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East provides a backdrop for understanding its significance. The coarse cloth made from camel hair served both practical and symbolic purposes, reflecting the lifestyle and spiritual messages of key biblical figures.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 3:4
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

An Old Subscription List
... hair yarn that was woven into the coarse cloth flung over ... it a little bit of discoloured
coarse serge. ... Jewels and camel's hair yarn and gold and silver are all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/an old subscription list.htm

The Story of the Baptist, from his Last Testimony to Jesus to his ...
... up in it the figure of the camel-hair-clad and ... will not bear mending with the undressed
cloth.' Christ's was ... credit (as shown in the almost coarse language of ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxviii the story of.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... hundred years before our era; the camel still later. ... first contented with a
loin-cloth like that ... certain occasions, however, sandals of coarse leather, plaited ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Memphite Empire
... or sheep, but the horse and camel were unknown ... sufficient to cut the yellow sandstone,
coarse-grained and ... dirty rags and wrappings of yellowish woollen cloth. ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... the date of the introduction of the camel into Chaldoa ... the same sort of tunic or
loin-cloth, but longer ... archives, to which additions were rapidly made by every ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... prepared his bier, Gabriel spread a cloth over the ... feet, and was in stature and
appearance like the camel. ... is nothing even astute,only a coarse realism, about ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... live on camel's milk and flesh: for the camel, to suit ... in his Aphorisms teaches that
stout persons of a coarse habit of ... up for them all with a sack-cloth shirt ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... desire to take my fill of sin, still studying what sin was yet to be committed;
and I made as much haste as I could to fill my belly with its delicates, lest I ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm