Topical Bible: The Camel: Subject to Plagues

◄ The Camel: Subject to Plagues ►

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The camel, a significant animal in the biblical narrative, is often associated with wealth, trade, and transportation in the ancient Near East. However, its mention in the context of plagues is less frequent but noteworthy. The camel's role in biblical plagues can be understood through its symbolic and practical implications in the scriptural texts.

Biblical References and Context

While the Bible does not explicitly list camels as direct subjects of the plagues, their presence in the broader narrative of divine judgment and calamity is implied through their integral role in the economy and daily life of biblical peoples. The plagues of Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus, primarily focus on the devastation of livestock, which would have included camels among other animals. Exodus 9:3 states, "behold, the hand of the LORD will fall with a very severe plague on your livestock in the field, on the horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks."

This passage indicates that camels, as part of the livestock, were subject to the divine plagues that struck Egypt. The inclusion of camels in this list underscores their importance and the comprehensive nature of the plagues, which affected all aspects of Egyptian life and economy.

Symbolic Significance

In the biblical worldview, camels often symbolize wealth and prosperity. They are frequently mentioned in the context of trade caravans and the wealth of patriarchs such as Abraham and Job. For instance, Genesis 24:10 describes Abraham's servant taking "ten of his master’s camels" on a journey to find a wife for Isaac, highlighting the wealth and status associated with owning camels.

The affliction of camels during the plagues can thus be seen as a symbolic act of divine judgment against the economic and social structures of Egypt. By striking the camels, God demonstrated His power over the wealth and resources of the Egyptians, challenging their reliance on material prosperity.

Practical Implications

The practical implications of camels being subject to plagues are significant. As essential animals for transportation and trade, the loss of camels would have severely disrupted the economic activities of the affected regions. Camels were vital for long-distance travel across deserts, and their decimation would have hindered trade routes and communication, further amplifying the impact of the plagues.

Moreover, the loss of camels would have had a direct effect on the daily lives of the people, as these animals were also used for carrying goods and people. The plagues, therefore, not only demonstrated God's power but also served as a means to humble the Egyptians by dismantling their economic stability and daily functioning.

Conclusion

The camel, while not frequently mentioned as a direct subject of biblical plagues, plays a crucial role in understanding the broader impact of divine judgment in the scriptures. Its inclusion in the list of affected livestock during the plagues of Egypt highlights its importance in the ancient world and serves as a reminder of the comprehensive nature of God's power over all creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 9:3
Behold, the hand of the LORD is on your cattle which is in the field, on the horses, on the asses, on the camels, on the oxen, and on the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 14:15
And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Memento Mori
... In doing this, I shall thus divide my subject. ... There is a black camel upon which
Death rides, say the Arabs, and that must ... "Plagues and death around me fly,. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/memento mori.htm

The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby.
... hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil ... parabolic picture, and not the
mere subject of its ... was a coarse fabric woven of goat's or camel's hair, and ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlv the baptists inquiry and.htm

Sin: Its Spring-Head, Stream, and Sea
... The last ounce that breaks the camel's back was laid ... During the plagues, he marked
his special love to his ... We have had before us a subject which should produce ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/sin its spring-head stream and.htm

On the Great Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... the Christian community, like one of the plagues of Egypt ... value and authority in
the exposition of this subject. ... For you know that camel, [3359] and its strange ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxi on the great.htm

In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ...
... hairy man,' instead of a man with a hairy (camel's hair) raiment ... 1338] The whole
subject is fully ... also 56 b (where it is shown how plagues exactly corresponding ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi in the fifteenth.htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... The bearing of these remarks on the main subject of the essay will be seen ... The
translation of Enoch, the Deluge, the destruction of Sodom, the plagues of Egypt ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... live on camel's milk and flesh: for the camel, to suit ... who had a weak stomach, and
was subject to many ... In Egypt also the ten plagues fell with equal violence ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... rendered their sojourn there impossible, by the plagues which he ... goat, dog, and
dromedary, and the camel with two ... of the races who had become subject to his ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... This is the sacred, the solemn, the all-important subject which Bunyan in his ripe
age makes the theme of his meditations and of his deeply impressive ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... distempered brain. Bunyan's opinions upon this subject are deeply interesting,
and are fully developed in his Holy War. The capabilities ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm