The dromedary, also known as the Arabian camel, is a single-humped camel species (Camelus dromedarius) that is well-adapted to arid desert environments. In the Bible, the dromedary is often mentioned in contexts that highlight its significance in ancient Near Eastern culture, particularly as a beast of burden and a symbol of wealth and trade.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 60:6 : "Caravans of camels will cover your land—young camels of Midian and Ephah—all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD." This verse illustrates the use of dromedaries in trade caravans, emphasizing their role in transporting valuable goods across long distances. The mention of Midian, Ephah, and Sheba indicates regions where dromedaries were commonly used, reflecting their importance in commerce and cultural exchange.

2. Jeremiah 2:23 : "How can you say, ‘I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals’? Look at your behavior in the valley; acknowledge what you have done. You are a swift young she-camel running here and there." Here, the dromedary is used metaphorically to describe the erratic and unfaithful behavior of the people of Israel. The imagery of a swift young she-camel conveys a sense of restlessness and lack of direction, serving as a vivid illustration of spiritual waywardness.

3. Genesis 24:10 : "Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all kinds of goods from his master in hand. So he set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the city of Nahor." In this passage, Abraham's servant uses camels, likely dromedaries, to travel to Nahor in search of a wife for Isaac. The use of camels underscores their value in long-distance travel and their role in facilitating important familial and social connections.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The dromedary was domesticated in the Arabian Peninsula and has been integral to the life and economy of desert-dwelling peoples for thousands of years. Its ability to endure harsh conditions, travel long distances without water, and carry heavy loads made it indispensable for trade and transportation in the ancient Near East. The dromedary's presence in biblical narratives reflects its prominence in the daily life and economic activities of the time.

In biblical symbolism, the dromedary often represents swiftness, endurance, and the capacity to bear burdens. Its mention in prophetic and poetic texts serves to convey messages about human behavior, divine provision, and the interconnectedness of different cultures through trade and commerce.

Significance in Biblical Theology:

The dromedary's role in the Bible extends beyond its practical uses; it also serves as a symbol of God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises. In Isaiah 60:6, the imagery of camels bringing wealth to Jerusalem is part of a larger vision of restoration and blessing for God's people. This prophetic vision points to a future where nations will come to acknowledge the sovereignty of the LORD, bringing their treasures as acts of worship and homage.

Overall, the dromedary in the Bible is a testament to the intricate relationship between God's creation and His divine purposes, illustrating how even the most humble of creatures can play a part in the unfolding of His redemptive plan.(Isaiah 60:6), an African or Arabian species of camel having only one hump, while the Bactrian camel has two. It is distinguished from the camel only as a trained saddle-horse is distinguished from a cart-horse. It is remarkable for its speed (Jeremiah 2:23). Camels are frequently spoken of in partriarchal times (Genesis 12:16; 24:10; 30:43; 31:17, etc.). They were used for carrying burdens (Genesis 37:25; Judges 6:5), and for riding (Genesis 24:64). The hair of the camel falls off of itself in spring, and is woven into coarse cloths and garments (Matthew 3:4). (see CAMEL.) (n.) The Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius), having one hump or protuberance on the back, in distinction from the Bactrian camel, which has two humps.DROMEDARY

drum'-e-da-ri, drom'-e-da-ri. See CAMEL.

2574. kamelos -- camel
... camel. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kamelos Phonetic Spelling:
(kam'-ay-los) Short Definition: a camel Definition: a camel or dromedary. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2574.htm - 6k1072. bikrah -- a young camel, dromedary
... 1071, 1072. bikrah. 1073 . a young camel, dromedary. Transliteration: bikrah
Phonetic Spelling: (bik-raw') Short Definition: camel. ... dromedary. ...
/hebrew/1072.htm - 6k

3753. kirkarah -- dromedary
... 3752, 3753. kirkarah. 3754 . dromedary. Transliteration: kirkarah Phonetic
Spelling: (kar-kaw-raw') Short Definition: camels. Word ...
/hebrew/3753.htm - 6k

1070. beker -- dromedary
... 1069, 1070. beker. 1071 . dromedary. Transliteration: beker Phonetic Spelling:
(beh'-ker) Short Definition: camel. Word Origin see bikrah. dromedary ...
/hebrew/1070.htm - 5k

7409. rekesh -- steeds
... Word Origin perhaps from rakash Definition steeds NASB Word Usage horses (1),
steeds (2), swift steeds (1). dromedary, mule, swift beast. ...
/hebrew/7409.htm - 6k

7424. rammak -- perhaps a mare
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition perhaps a mare NASB Word Usage royal stud
(1). dromedary. Of foreign origin; a brood mare -- dromedary. 7423b, 7424. ...
/hebrew/7424.htm - 5k

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
... 10. Naturally, with "the dromedary, we traverse our ways," Jeremiah 2:23,
and run hither and thither, but never look towards him. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter iii how christ is.htm

"And this is his Commandment," &C.
... and hath lost that true ingenuity and nobleness of spirit, and is now become stubborn
and froward, as a wild ass, or as a swift dromedary traversing her ways ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iii and this is.htm

A Threefold Disease and a Twofold Cure.
... illustration, in which he compares the lives of men who have departed from God to
the racing about in the wilderness of a wild dromedary, 'entangling her ways ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a threefold disease and a.htm

A vision of the Latter-Day Glories
... See you there the camel and the dromedary, the great caravan passing over the pathless
desert? What are these and what is their costly freight? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a vision of the latter-day.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... and bears, many domestic animals, or animals capable of being turned to domestic
use, such as the ass, buffalo, sheep, goat, dog, and dromedary, and the camel ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Dromedary (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DROMEDARY. drum'-e-da-ri, drom'-e-da-ri. See
CAMEL. Multi-Version Concordance Dromedary (3 Occurrences). ...
/d/dromedary.htm - 8k

Camel (13 Occurrences)
... (2.) The Arabian camel or dromedary, from the ... The dromedary (Camelus dromedarius)
has one bunch on the back, while the Bactrian camel (C. Bactrianus) has two. ...
/c/camel.htm - 21k

Runners (21 Occurrences)
... of the king Ahasuerus, and sealeth with the signet of the king, and sendeth letters
by the hand of the runners with horses, riders of the dromedary, the mules ...
/r/runners.htm - 13k

Winding (4 Occurrences)
... How sayest thou, 'I have not been defiled, After the Baalim I have not gone?' See
thy way in a valley, know what thou hast done, A swift dromedary winding her ...
/w/winding.htm - 8k

Traversing (2 Occurrences)
... Baals? see your way in the valley, know what you have done: you are a swift
dromedary traversing her ways; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/t/traversing.htm - 7k

Riding (30 Occurrences)
... Esther 8:14 The runners, riding on the dromedary, 'and' the mules, have gone out,
hastened and pressed by the word of the king, and the law hath been given in ...
/r/riding.htm - 16k

Droopeth (1 Occurrence)

/d/droopeth.htm - 6k

Dromedaries (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Dromedary. Multi-Version Concordance
Dromedaries (4 Occurrences). 1 Kings 4:28 Barley also ...
/d/dromedaries.htm - 8k

Mares (1 Occurrence)
... of the king Ahasuerus, and sealeth with the signet of the king, and sendeth letters
by the hand of the runners with horses, riders of the dromedary, the mules ...
/m/mares.htm - 6k

Beast (243 Occurrences)
... Caesarea (Acts 23:24). For "swift beast," kirkaroth, "dromedary" (Isaiah
66:20 the King James Version), see CAMEL. For "swift beast ...
/b/beast.htm - 50k

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