Topical Bible: The Camel: Kept in Numbers by Kings

◄ The Camel: Kept in Numbers by Kings ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The camel, a large, even-toed ungulate, is a significant animal in the biblical narrative, often associated with wealth, trade, and transportation. In the ancient Near East, camels were highly valued for their ability to travel long distances across arid regions, making them indispensable for trade caravans and military expeditions. The Bible references camels in various contexts, highlighting their importance in the socio-economic and cultural life of the time.

Biblical References and Significance

Camels are first mentioned in the context of the patriarchs. In Genesis 24:10, Abraham's servant takes ten camels to Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac, indicating the wealth and status of Abraham's household. The use of camels in this narrative underscores their role as symbols of prosperity and divine blessing.

In the time of the kings, camels continued to be a measure of wealth and power. The Berean Standard Bible records in 1 Kings 10:2 that the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon with a great caravan, including camels carrying spices, gold, and precious stones. This account illustrates the camel's role in royal and diplomatic exchanges, as well as in the display of opulence and grandeur.

Camels in Military Contexts

Camels were also used in military contexts, as seen in Judges 7:12, where the Midianites and Amalekites are described as numerous as locusts, with their camels too many to count, like the sand on the seashore. This imagery emphasizes the formidable nature of these nomadic tribes and their reliance on camels for mobility and warfare.

Symbolism and Prophetic Imagery

In prophetic literature, camels are sometimes used symbolically. Isaiah 60:6 envisions a future where camels from Midian and Ephah bring gold and incense, proclaiming the praises of the Lord. This prophecy reflects the anticipated wealth and glory of the nations coming to honor God, with camels serving as a metaphor for the abundance and richness of the tribute.

Practical Uses and Characteristics

Camels are uniquely adapted to desert life, with features such as humps for fat storage, long eyelashes, and the ability to close their nostrils to protect against sand. These characteristics made them invaluable for long journeys across harsh terrains, facilitating trade routes that connected distant regions.

In the biblical context, the camel's ability to carry heavy loads over long distances without water made it an essential asset for kings and traders. The strategic use of camels in commerce and warfare contributed to the economic and political stability of ancient kingdoms.

Cultural and Religious Context

The camel's significance extends beyond its practical uses. In Leviticus 11:4 , the camel is listed among the animals considered unclean for consumption, despite its utility. This distinction highlights the complex relationship between cultural practices and religious laws in ancient Israelite society.

Overall, the camel's presence in the biblical narrative serves as a testament to its enduring value and multifaceted role in the life of the ancient Near East. From patriarchal times to the era of the kings, camels were integral to the economic, military, and symbolic dimensions of biblical history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 27:30
Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... they made fire: I saw that one of them kept turning one ... Then comes another of the
leaders on a camel and so on ... A star shall rise out of Jacob [see Numbers 24..17 ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and ...
... laws and traditions they did keep were not kept privately and ... These were the fringes
mentioned in Numbers 15:38 ... that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel! ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cx jesus last public discourse.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... days of Moses we read of "the king's highway" (Numbers 20:17 ... to the cities of refuge
required to be always kept in good ... so as to allow a man on a camel to pass. ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... I had a view of Jerusalem, and saw Herod having numbers of men summoned, as when ...
The inhabitants seemed to me to be camel-drivers, for they kept a number ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

Letter cvii. To Laeta.
... their wanton thoughts must be kept from Paula ... he implies, by wearing the camel's
hair shows ... [2718] ie Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cvii to laeta.htm

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... were unclean (Leviticus 14:9; Numbers 19:19 ... They are frequently seasoned with camel's
milk and ... publicly condemned, and therefore continually kept conscious of ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xvii john the baptists person.htm

The Provinces.
... a very valuable signet ring which he kept among his ... could run faster than the fleetest
horse or camel. ... them to wait until considerable numbers were collected ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter v the provinces.htm

Woes on the Pharisees
... They had assailed Him in great numbers, but their schemes to ... They will be kept clean
from bribes, and from all ... which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 67 woes on the.htm

Book I.
... of heaven, it follows, also, that a camel goes through a ... I have finished the course,
I have kept the faith ... The very numbers show that there is disparity in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book i.htm

Ancient Civilisation {5} {6}
... constructed of bricks and timber, and kept going by ... Thebaid, starving in his frock
of camel's hair, with ... when the Romans boasted of their numbers, "The thicker ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/ancient civilisation 5 6.htm