Topical Bible: The Camel: Furniture of, Alluded To

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In the ancient Near Eastern context, the camel was an essential part of daily life, serving as a vital means of transportation and a bearer of goods. The Bible, while not extensively detailing the camel's role as furniture, alludes to its significance in various passages, reflecting its importance in the cultural and economic practices of biblical times.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The camel is often mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of wealth and status. In Genesis 24:10, Abraham's servant takes ten camels to Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac, indicating the wealth and resources of Abraham's household: "Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking with him all manner of good things from his master. He arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor" . The camels here are not only a means of transport but also a display of Abraham's prosperity.

In the context of furniture, the camel's role is more implicit. The camel's ability to carry heavy loads over long distances made it an invaluable asset for transporting goods, including household items and furnishings. This is indirectly referenced in passages that describe the wealth and possessions of biblical figures. For instance, Job's wealth is partially measured by his ownership of camels: "He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys, and he had a large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East" (Job 1:3). The mention of camels alongside other livestock and servants underscores their role in supporting the household's economic activities, which would include the movement and trade of furniture and other goods.

Cultural and Economic Context

In the ancient world, camels were indispensable for trade caravans, which transported a variety of goods, including textiles, spices, and possibly furniture, across vast desert landscapes. The camel's endurance and ability to travel long distances without water made it uniquely suited for such tasks. This economic function is alluded to in Isaiah 60:6, where camels are associated with the wealth and trade of nations: "Caravans of camels will cover your land—young camels of Midian and Ephah—all those from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD" .

Metaphorical Usage

The camel is also used metaphorically in the Bible to convey spiritual truths. In Matthew 19:24, Jesus uses the camel in a hyperbolic illustration to teach about the difficulty for the rich 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" . While this passage does not directly relate to furniture, it highlights the camel's cultural prominence and the familiarity of its image to the audience.

Conclusion

The camel, while not explicitly described as furniture in the Bible, is alluded to in ways that reflect its integral role in the transportation and economic systems of the biblical world. Its presence in the narratives of wealth and trade underscores its importance in the daily lives and spiritual teachings of the biblical era.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 31:34
Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat on them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Immaculate Conception
... she wore a long cloak of brownish wool, like camel's hair. ... All the furniture was
moved aside, and in the front part of ... [40] This interpretation, alluded to but ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... the most efficacious, but an ox, a cow, a sheep, a camel, an ass ... of industrial
art"-in the dyed and embroidered stuffs,** the vases,*** and the furniture.****. ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm