Old Testament The camel is adapted for desert travel with padded feet, a muscular body, and a hump of fat to sustain life on long journeys. A young camel can walk one hundred miles in a day. Wealth was measured by many things including camels (Genesis 24:35 ). The Jews were forbidden to eat the ceremonially unclean camel, which chews the cud, but does not have a split hoof (Leviticus 11:4 ). An ill-tempered camel in an unhampered rampage could quickly trample down the tents of a family or clan. Jeremiah thus described the sins of Israel saying they were as a swift she-camel, running wild (Jeremiah 2:23 ). The wise men who worshiped Jesus are traditionally pictured as riding camels (Matthew 1:1 ). This may be a prophecy of Isaiah 60:6 which describes camel riders from Sheba coming to bring gold, incense, and praises of the Lord.
New Testament John the Baptist, a desert preacher, wore the rough and plain clothes of camel's hair. His clothing and diet were revolutionary and consistent with his role as a forerunner of Jesus. A proverb picturing things impossible to accomplish was quoted by Jesus when he said it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. A traditional but non-biblical illustration describes an unburdened camel kneeling to creep under a low gate in a Jerusalem wall. This means that if a rich man will rid himself of pride and humble himself (kneel) he can get into heaven. Jesus describes hypocrites as persons who are very careful to strain out a gnat from a cup of drink, but swallow a camel without notice. They tithe the leaves of a small household herb, but omit judgment, mercy, and faith.
Lawson Hatfield
The product of over 6 years of work by hundreds of people, the Holman Bible Dictionary manages to be readable and easy to use, yet take advantage of the finest modern Bible scholarship without heavy technical language. The over 6,600 entries includes extensive cross-referencing of related articles, and quotes from 6 different Bible translations.Wikipedia
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