Difference between revisions of "Camel"

<li> The Arabian camel or dromedary, from the Greek <i> Dromos </i> , "A runner" (&nbsp; Isaiah 60:6; &nbsp;Jeremiah 2:23 ), has but one hump, and is a native of Western Asia or Africa. <p> The camel was early used both for riding and as a beast of burden (&nbsp;Genesis 24:64; &nbsp;37:25 ), and in war (&nbsp;1 Samuel 30:17; &nbsp;Isaiah 21:7 ). [[Mention]] is made of the camel among the cattle given by [[Pharaoh]] to [[Abraham]] (&nbsp;Genesis 12:16 ). Its flesh was not to be eaten, as it was ranked among unclean animals (&nbsp;Leviticus 11:4; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 14:7 ). Abraham's servant rode on a camel when he went to fetch a wife for Isaac (&nbsp;Genesis 24:10,11 ). [[Jacob]] had camels as a portion of his wealth (30:43), as Abraham also had (24:35). He sent a present of thirty milch camels to his brother [[Esau]] (32:15). It appears to have been little in use among the Jews after the conquest. It is, however, mentioned in the history of David (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:30 ), and after the [[Exile]] (&nbsp;Ezra 2:67; &nbsp;Nehemiah 7:69 ). Camels were much in use among other nations in the East. The queen of Sheba came with a caravan of camels when she came to see the wisdom of [[Solomon]] (&nbsp;1 Kings 10:2; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 9:1 ). [[Benhadad]] of Damascus also sent a present to Elisha, "forty camels' burden" (&nbsp;2 Kings 8:9 ). </p> <p> To show the difficulty in the way of a rich man's entering into the kingdom, our Lord uses the proverbial expression that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (&nbsp;Matthew 19:24 ). </p> <p> To strain at (rather, out) a gnat and swallow a camel was also a proverbial expression (&nbsp;Matthew 23:24 ), used with reference to those who were careful to avoid small faults, and yet did not hesitate to commit the greatest sins. The Jews carefully filtered their wine before drinking it, for fear of swallowing along with it some insect forbidden in the law as unclean, and yet they omitted openly the "weightier matters" of the law. </p> <p> The raiment worn by John the Baptist was made of camel's hair (&nbsp;Matthew 3:4; &nbsp;Mark 1:6 ), by which he was distinguished from those who resided in royal palaces and wore soft raiment. This was also the case with [[Elijah]] (&nbsp;2 Kings 1:8 ), who is called "a hairy man," from his wearing such raiment. "This is one of the most admirable materials for clothing; it keeps out the heat, cold, and rain." The "sackcloth" so often alluded to (&nbsp;2 Kings 1:8; &nbsp;Isaiah 15:3; &nbsp;Zechariah 13:4 , etc.) was probably made of camel's hair. </p> <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Camel'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/c/camel.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> גמל . This animal is called in ancient Arabic, <em> gimel; </em> and in modern, <em> diammel; </em> in Greek, καμηλος . With very little variation, the name is retained in modern languages. The camel is very common in Arabia, Judea, and the neighbouring countries; and is often mentioned in Scripture, and reckoned among the most valuable property, &nbsp;1 Chronicles 5:21; &nbsp;Job 1:3 , &c. "No creature," says Volney, "seems so peculiarly fitted to the climate in which he exists as the camel. Designing this animal to dwell in a country where he can find little nourishment, nature has been sparing of her materials in the whole of his formation. She has not bestowed upon him the fleshiness of the ox, horse, or elephant; but limiting herself to what is strictly necessary, has given him a long head, without ears, at the end of a long neck without flesh; has taken from his legs and thighs every muscle not immediately requisite for motion; and, in short, bestowed upon his withered body only the vessels and tendons necessary to connect its frame together. She has furnished him with a strong jaw, that he may grind the hardest aliments; but, lest he should consume too much, has straitened his stomach, and obliged him to chew the cud; has lined his foot with a lump of flesh, which sliding in the mud, and being no way adapted to climbing, fits him only for a dry, level, and sandy soil, like that of Arabia. So great, in short, is the importance of the camel to the desert, that, were it deprived of that useful animal, it must infallibly lose every inhabitant." The chief use of the camel has always been as a beast of burden, and for performing journeys across the deserts. They have sometimes been used in war, to carry the baggage of an oriental army, and mingle in the tumult of the battle. Many of the [[Amalekite]] warriors, who burnt [[Ziklag]] in the time of David, were mounted on camels; for the sacred historian remarks, that of the whole army not a man escaped the furious onset of that heroic and exasperated leader, "save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled," &nbsp;1 Samuel 30:17 . </p> <p> The passage of [[Scripture]] in which our Lord says, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven," &nbsp;Matthew 19:24 , has been the occasion of much criticism. Some assert that near [[Jerusalem]] was a low gate called "the needle's eye," through which a camel could not pass unless his load was taken off. Others conjecture that καμιλος should be read καβιλος , <em> a cable. </em> But there are no ancient manuscripts to support the reading. In the [[Jewish]] Talmud, there is, however, a similar proverb respecting an elephant: "Rabbi Shesheth answered [[Rabbi]] Amram, who had advanced an absurdity, ‘Perhaps thou art one of the Pambidithians, who can make an elephant pass through the eye of a needle;'" that as, says the Aruch, "who speak things impossible." There is also a saying of the same kind in the Koran: "The impious, who in his arrogancy shall accuse our doctrine of falsity, shall find the gates of heaven shut; nor shall he enter there, till a camel shall pass through the eye of a needle. It is thus that we shall recompense the wicked," Surat. v. 37. Indeed, Grotius, Lightfoot, Wetstein, and Michaelis, join in opinion, that the comparison is so much in the figurative style of the oriental nations and of the rabbins, that the text is sufficiently authentic. </p>

<p> gamal . A ruminant animal, the chief means of communication between places separated by sandy deserts in Asia, owing to its amazing powers of endurance. The "ship of the desert," able to go without food, and water for days, the cellular stomach containing a reservoir for water, and its fatty hump a supply of nourishment; and content with such coarse, prickly shrubs as the desert yields and its incisor teeth enable it to divide. Their natural posture of rest is lying down on the breast; on which, as well as on the joints of the legs, are callosities. Thus, [[Providence]] by their formation adapts them for carriers; and their broad, cushioned, elastic feet enable them to tread sure-footedly upon the sinking sands and gravel. They can close their nostrils against the drifting sand of the parching simoom. Their habitat is Arabia, Syria, Asia Minor, S. Tartary, and part of India; in Africa from the [[Mediterranean]] to Senegal, and from [[Egypt]] and Abyssinia to Algiers and Morocco. </p> <p> The dromedary (beeker ) is from a better breed, and swifter; from the Greek dromas , a runner; going often at a pace of nine miles an hour (&nbsp;Esther 8:10; &nbsp;Esther 8:14). The Bactrian two-humped camel is a variety. Used in Abraham's time for riding and burdens (&nbsp;Genesis 24:64; &nbsp;Genesis 37:25); also in war (&nbsp;1 Samuel 30:17; &nbsp;Isaiah 21:7). Camel's hair was woven into coarse cloth, such as what John the Baptist wore (&nbsp;Matthew 3:4). The Hebrew gamal is from a root "to revenge," because of its remembrance of injuries and vindictiveness, or else "to carry." In &nbsp;Isaiah 60:6 and &nbsp;Jeremiah 2:23 beeker should be translated not "dromedary," but "young camel." In &nbsp;Isaiah 66:20 kirkaroth , from karar to bound, "swift beasts," i.e. dromedaries. Its milk is used for drink as that of the goats and sheep for butter. </p>

<p> '''Camel.''' The species of camel, which was in common use among the Jews and the heathen nations of Palestine, was the Arabian or one-humped camel, '''Camelus arabicus''' . The dromedary is a swifter animal than the baggage-camel, and is used chiefly for riding purposes; it is merely a finer breed than the other. The Arabs call it the '''heirie''' . </p> <p> The speed of the dromedary has been greatly exaggerated, the Arabs asserting that it is swifter than the horse. Eight or nine miles an hour is the utmost it is able to perform; this pace, however, it is able to keep up for hours together. The Arabian camel carries about 500 pounds. </p> <p> "The hump on the camel's back is chiefly a store of fat, from which the animal draws as the wants of his system require; and the [[Arab]] is careful to see that the hump is in good condition before a long journey. </p> <p> Another interesting adaptation is the thick sole which protects the foot of the camel from the burning sand. The nostrils may be closed by valves against blasts of sand. Most interesting is the provision for drought made by providing the second stomach with great cells, in which water is long retained. Sight and smell is exceedingly acute in the camel." - Johnson's Encyclopedia. </p> <p> It is clear from &nbsp;Genesis 12:16, that camels were early known to the Egyptians. The importance of the camel is shown by &nbsp;Genesis 24:64; &nbsp;Genesis 37:25; &nbsp;Judges 7:12; &nbsp;1 Samuel 27:9; &nbsp;1 Kings 19:2; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 14:15; &nbsp;Job 1:3; &nbsp;Jeremiah 49:29; &nbsp;Jeremiah 49:32, and many other texts. John the Baptist wore a garment made of camel hair, &nbsp;Matthew 3:4; &nbsp;Mark 1:6, the coarser hairs of the camel; and some have supposed that Elijah was clad in a dress of the same stuff. </p>

<p> '''Camel.''' &nbsp;Genesis 12:16. There are two species: the Bactrian and the Arabian camel. The latter was used by the Israelites, and is the one commonly referred to in Scripture. It was used both for riding and for carrying loads, as at present. &nbsp;Genesis 24:64; &nbsp;2 Kings 8:9. Camel's furniture is mentioned, &nbsp;Genesis 31:34, perhaps a kind of litter or canopied seat; and it is not improbable that the panniers or baskets, which are suspended on both sides of the animal, were employed anciently as now. The dromedary, &nbsp;Isaiah 60:6, was the same species, but of a finer breed. The camel is ill-tempered, vindictive, and obstinate; but its value to man may be estimated by what has been said. The ordinary strong working animal will go 24 miles a day, while the higher-bred and better-trained, or dromedary, will it is said, travel 200 miles in 24 hours. This quadruped was forbidden as food to the Hebrews, &nbsp;Leviticus 11:4; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 14:7; the flesh, however, especially the hump, is now liked by the Arabs; the milk is considered a cooling, nutritious drink, and the dung is much used for fuel. The camel was well known in early ages. &nbsp;Genesis 12:16; &nbsp;Genesis 24:64; &nbsp;Genesis 37:25. It was used in war, at least by predatory bands, &nbsp;Judges 6:6; &nbsp;1 Samuel 30:17; and coarse garments were made of its hair. &nbsp;Matthew 3:4; &nbsp;Mark 1:6. The word occurs in various proverbial expressions, as in &nbsp;Matthew 19:24; similar to which are some used in the Talmud; also in 23:24, where the early English versions and the R. V. have very properly "strain out." </p>

<div> '''1: κάμηλος ''' (Strong'S #2574 — Noun — kamelos — kam'-ay-los ) </div> <p> from a Hebrew word signifying "a bearer, carrier," is used in proverbs to indicate (a) "something almost or altogether impossible," &nbsp;Matthew 19:24 , and parallel passages, (b) "the acts of a person who is careful not to sin in trivial details, but pays no heed to more important matters," &nbsp;Matthew 23:24 . </p>

<p> '''(1):''' (n.) A large ruminant used in Asia and Africa for carrying burdens and for riding. The camel is remarkable for its ability to go a long time without drinking. Its hoofs are small, and situated at the extremities of the toes, and the weight of the animal rests on the callous. The dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) has one bunch on the back, while the Bactrian camel (C. Bactrianus) has two. The llama, alpaca, and vicu?a, of South America, belong to a related genus (Auchenia). </p> <p> '''(2):''' (n.) A water-tight structure (as a large box or boxes) used to assist a vessel in passing over a shoal or bar or in navigating shallow water. By admitting water, the camel or camels may be sunk and attached beneath or at the sides of a vessel, and when the water is pumped out the vessel is lifted. </p>

<p> ''' Copyright StatementThese files are public domain. Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Camel'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and [[Ecclesiastical]] Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/c/camel.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870. ''' </p>

<p> '''''kam´el''''' ( גּמל , <i> '''''gāmāl''''' </i> ; κάμηλος , <i> '''''kámēlos''''' </i> ; בּכר , <i> '''''bekher''''' </i> , and בּכרה , <i> '''''bikhrāh''''' </i> (&nbsp;Isaiah 60:6; &nbsp;Jeremiah 2:23 "dromedary," the American Revised Version, margin "young camel"), רכשׁ , <i> '''''rekhesh''''' </i> (&nbsp;1 Kings 4:28; see [[Horse]] ), כּרכּרות , <i> '''''kirkārōth''''' </i> (&nbsp;Isaiah 66:20 , "swift beasts," the American Standard Revised ersion. "dromedaries"); בּני הרמּכים , <i> '''''benē hā''''' </i> - <i> '''''rammākhı̄m''''' </i> (&nbsp;Esther 8:10 , "young dromedaries," the American Standard Revised Version "bred of the stud"); אחשׁתּרנים , <i> ''''''ăḥashterānı̄m''''' </i> (&nbsp;Esther 8:10 , &nbsp;Esther 8:14 , the King James Version "camels," the American Standard Revised Version "that were used in the king's service")): There are two species of camel, the Arabian or one-humped camel or dromedary, <i> Camelus dromedarius </i> , and the Bactrian or two-humped camel, <i> Camelus bactrianus </i> . The latter inhabits the temperate and cold parts of central Asia and is not likely to have been known to Biblical writers. The Arabian camel inhabits southwestern Asia and northern Africa and has recently been introduced into parts of America and Australia. Its hoofs are not typical of ungulates but are rather like great claws. The toes are not completely separated and the main part of the foot which is applied to the ground is a large pad which underlies the proximal joints of the digits. It may be that this incomplete separation of the two toes is a sufficient explanation of the words "parteth not the hoof," in &nbsp;Leviticus 11:4 and &nbsp; Deuteronomy 14:7 . [[Otherwise]] these words present a difficulty, because the hoofs are completely separated though the toes are not. The camel is a ruminant and chews the cud like a sheep or ox, but the stomach possesses only three compartments instead of four, as in other ruminants. The first two compartments contain in their walls small pouches, each of which can be closed by a sphincter muscle. The fluid retained in these pouches may account in part for the power of the camel to go for a relatively long time without drinking. </p> <p> The Arabian camel is often compared with justice to the reindeer of the Esquimaux. It furnishes hair for spinning and weaving, milk, flesh and leather, as well as being an invaluable means of transportation in the arid desert. There are many Arabic names for the camel, the commonest of which is <i> '''''jamal''''' </i> (in Egypt <i> '''''gamal''''' </i> ), the root being common to Arabic, Hebrew and other Semitic languages. From it the names in Latin, Greek, English and various European languages are derived. There are various breeds of camels, as there are of horses. The riding camels or dromedaries, commonly called <i> '''''hajı̄n''''' </i> , can go, even at a walk, much faster than the pack camels. The males are mostly used for carrying burdens, the females being kept with the herds. Camels are used to a surprising extent on the rough roads of the mountains, and one finds in the possession of <i> '''''fellāḥı̄n''''' </i> in the mountains and on the littoral plain larger and stronger pack camels than are often found among the Bedouin. Camels were apparently not much used by the Israelites after the time of the patriarchs. They were taken as spoil of war from the Amalekites and other tribes, but nearly the only reference to their use by the later Israelites was when David was made king over all Israel at Hebron, when camels are mentioned among the animals used for bringing food for the celebration (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:40 ). David had a herd of camels, but the herdsman was Obil, an [[Ishmaelite]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:30 ). Nearly all the other Biblical references to camels are to those possessed by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Ishmaelites, Amalekites, Midianites, [[Hagrites]] and the "children of the East" (see [[East]] ). Two references to camels (&nbsp;Genesis 12:16; &nbsp;Exodus 9:3 ) are regarded as puzzling because the testimony of the [[Egyptian]] monuments is said to be against the presence of camels in ancient Egypt. For this reason, Gen 12 through 16, in connection with Abram's visit to Egypt, is turned to account by [[Canon]] Cheyne to substantiate his theory that the Israelites were not in Egypt but in a north Arabian land of <i> '''''Muṣri''''' </i> ( <i> Encyclopaedia Biblica </i> under the word "Camel," 4). While the flesh of the camel was forbidden to the Israelites, it is freely eaten by the Arabs. </p> <p> There are three references to the camel in New Testament: (1) to John's raiment of camel's hair (&nbsp;Matthew 3:4; &nbsp;Mark 1:6 ); (2) The words of Jesus that "it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (&nbsp;Matthew 19:24; &nbsp;Mark 10:25; &nbsp;Luke 18:25 ); (3) The proverb applied to the Pharisees as blind guides, "that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel" (&nbsp;Matthew 23:24 ). Some manuscripts read <i> '''''ho kámilos''''' </i> , "a cable," in &nbsp;Matthew 19:24 and &nbsp; Luke 18:25 . </p> <p> There are a few unusual words which have been translated "camel" in text or margin of one or the other version. (See list of words at beginning of the article) <i> '''''Bekher''''' </i> and <i> '''''bikhrāh''''' </i> clearly mean a young animal, and the Arabic root word and derivatives are used similarly to the Hebrew. <i> '''''Rākhash''''' </i> , the root of <i> '''''rekhesh''''' </i> , is compared with the Arabic <i> '''''rakaḍ''''' </i> , "to run," and, in the Revised Version (British and American), <i> '''''rekhesh''''' </i> is translated "swift steeds." <i> '''''Kirkārōth''''' </i> , <i> '''''rammākhı̄m''''' </i> and <i> ''''''ăḥashterānı̄m''''' </i> must be admitted to be of doubtful etymology and uncertain meaning. </p>