In biblical times, camels were essential beasts of burden, particularly in the arid regions of the Near East. Their ability to carry heavy loads over long distances made them invaluable for trade, travel, and the transportation of goods. The term "camel-loads" refers to the substantial quantities of goods or wealth that camels could transport, often used metaphorically in Scripture to signify abundance or wealth.

Biblical References:

1. 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 to carry gifts and goods as he travels to find a wife for Isaac, illustrating the camel's role in facilitating significant transactions and journeys.

2. 2 Kings 8:9 · "So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel-loads of all the finest goods of Damascus. He went in and stood before him and said, 'Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, "Will I recover from this illness?"'" Here, the use of forty camel-loads of goods underscores the wealth and resources available to the king of Aram, as well as the importance of the message being delivered to the prophet Elisha.

3. Isaiah 60:6 · "Caravans of camels will cover your land—young camels of Midian and Ephah—all those from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD." This prophetic vision speaks of a future time of prosperity and divine blessing, where the abundance brought by camel-loads signifies the wealth and honor that will be bestowed upon God's people.

Cultural and Economic Significance:

Camels were central to the economy and culture of the ancient Near East. Their ability to traverse deserts and carry heavy loads made them ideal for long-distance trade routes, such as the famed Incense Route, which connected the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean. Camel-loads often included valuable commodities like spices, textiles, precious metals, and other goods that were traded across vast distances.

In biblical narratives, the mention of camel-loads often highlights the wealth and status of individuals or nations. For instance, the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon, though not explicitly mentioning camel-loads, implies a grand caravan laden with gifts, as described in 1 Kings 10:2: "She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels carrying spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones."

Symbolic Meaning:

Beyond their practical use, camel-loads in Scripture can symbolize the blessings and provision of God. The imagery of camels bearing gifts and wealth often points to divine favor and the fulfillment of God's promises. In prophetic literature, such as Isaiah 60, the influx of camel-loads signifies the gathering of nations and the acknowledgment of God's glory.

In the New Testament, Jesus uses the camel in a metaphorical sense to teach about the challenges of wealth and spiritual priorities. In Matthew 19:24, He states, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." While this passage does not directly reference camel-loads, it underscores the cultural understanding of camels as symbols of wealth and the potential spiritual hindrances that accompany material abundance.

Introduction
... slake our dying thirst? WHO now crosses that desert a second time on our
behalf with great camel loads of wine and milk? What did it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macneil/the spirit-filled life/introduction 2.htm

A Little Jewish Maid.
... They were back again in their own country, bringing no camel-loads of plunder, no
droves of stolen cattle, no chains of weeping slaves"only two sacks of ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/a little jewish maid.htm

The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ...
... it was asserted, that, if all the genealogical studies and researches [47] had been
put together, they would have amounted to many hundred camel-loads. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the jewish world.htm

Camel-loads (1 Occurrence)
Camel-loads. Camel, Camel-loads. Camels . Multi-Version Concordance
Camel-loads (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 8:9 So Hazael ...
/c/camel-loads.htm - 6k

Rhodes (2 Occurrences)
... In 672 AD the Saracens sold the ruins to a Jew. The quantity of metal was so areat
that it would fill the cars of a modern freight train (900 camelloads). ...
/r/rhodes.htm - 13k

Camel (13 Occurrences)

/c/camel.htm - 21k

Camels (52 Occurrences)

/c/camels.htm - 24k

Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... basin some 6 ft. deep. The water is brackish, but supplies as many as 200
camelloads at once for Suez. At `Ayyun Musa ("the springs ...
/w/wanderings.htm - 40k

Israel (27466 Occurrences)

/i/israel.htm - 101k

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