Dromedaries, also known as Arabian camels, are one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) that are well-adapted to the arid desert regions of the Middle East and North Africa. In the Bible, dromedaries are often mentioned in the context of wealth, trade, and transportation, reflecting their importance in ancient Near Eastern societies.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 24:64 · In the account of Rebekah meeting Isaac, dromedaries are mentioned as part of the caravan that brought Rebekah to her future husband. "And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel."

2. 1 Kings 10:2 · The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon highlights the use of dromedaries in royal and wealthy contexts. "She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels carrying spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones."

3. Isaiah 60:6 · The prophet Isaiah speaks of a future time of prosperity and blessing, where dromedaries play a role in the wealth of nations. "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."

4. Jeremiah 2:23 · Dromedaries are used metaphorically to describe the waywardness of Israel. "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."

Cultural and Historical Context:

Dromedaries were integral to the economy and daily life in biblical times. They were prized for their ability to travel long distances across harsh desert terrains, carrying goods and people. This made them essential for trade routes, such as the Incense Route, which connected the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean.

In addition to their practical uses, dromedaries were symbols of wealth and status. Owning a large number of camels was a sign of prosperity, as they were valuable assets in trade and transport. This is reflected in the biblical narratives where camels are associated with wealthy figures like Abraham and Job.

Symbolism and Metaphor:

In the Bible, dromedaries are sometimes used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. For instance, their swiftness and restlessness are used to illustrate the spiritual unfaithfulness of Israel, as seen in Jeremiah 2:23. This metaphor underscores the theme of spiritual wandering and the need for repentance and return to God.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of dromedaries in prophetic texts like Isaiah 60:6 points to the eschatological hope of the nations coming to worship the LORD. The imagery of camels bringing wealth and proclaiming God's praises signifies the inclusion of Gentiles in the future kingdom of God, highlighting the universal scope of God's salvation plan.

Overall, dromedaries in the Bible serve as a testament to the historical and cultural realities of the ancient Near East, while also providing rich symbolic and theological insights into the biblical narrative.(n.) Plural of Dromedary.

A Song of Zion Redeemed
... The multitude of camels shall cover thee, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; They
all shall come from Sheba, they shall bring gold and frankincense, And ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ix a song of zion.htm

The Great Gain of Godliness
... Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place
where the officers were, every man according to his charge.29. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the great gain of godliness.htm

Whether Christ's Birth was Made Known in a Becoming Order?
... star, and accomplished a journey of very great length in thirteen days, owing partly
to the Divine assistance, and partly to the fleetness of the dromedaries. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs birth was made.htm

Letter Lxxix. To Salvina.
... [2409] In Isaiah we read of camels, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah and
Sheba, which carry gold and incense to the city of the Lord. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxix to salvina.htm

Now Saul Upon God's not Answering Him Concerning the Fight with ...
... of the day to the evening, so that there were, not above four hundred of the Amalekites
left; and they only escaped by getting upon their dromedaries and camels ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 now saul upon.htm

The Life of Malchus, the Captive Monk.
... fright; and when that day was spent, we sallied forth towards evening, and saw the
camels, on account of their great speed called dromedaries, quietly chewing ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of malchus the.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... But their beasts, which were dromedaries and were faster than horses, enabled them
to do thirty-six hours' journey each twenty-four hours, including the rest ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

The Exaltation of Christ
... shall bring presents, when queens shall be the nursing mothers of the church, when
the gold of Sheba and the ships of Tarshish, and the dromedaries of Arabia ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exaltation of christ.htm

The visit and Homage of the Magi, and the Flight into Egypt
... [1046] The multitude of camels and dromedaries,' the flocks of Kedar and the rams
of Nebaioth' (v. 7), and the isles,' and the ships of Tarshish' (v. 9). ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii the visit and.htm

Christ's Hospital
... swiftly. Oriental monarchs were very earnest to have good post arrangements.
They sent their decrees upon swift dromedaries. They ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/christs hospital.htm

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

Horse (62 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:28 Esther 8:10, 14 Micah 1:13, the Revised Version (British and American)
has "swift steeds," while the King James Version gives "dromedaries" in 1 ...
/h/horse.htm - 37k

Camel (13 Occurrences)
... "dromedaries"); bene ha-rammakhim (Esther 8 ... The riding camels or dromedaries, commonly
called hajin, can go, even at a walk, much faster than the pack camels. ...
/c/camel.htm - 21k

Mules (14 Occurrences)
... king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts
on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: (KJV WBS ...
/m/mules.htm - 11k

Dromedary (3 Occurrences)

/d/dromedary.htm - 8k

Ephah (55 Occurrences)
... It abounded in dromedaries and camels (Judges 6:5). (2.) 1 Chronicles 2:46, a concubine
of Caleb. (3.) 1 Chronicles 2:47, a descendant of Judah. ...
/e/ephah.htm - 27k

Camels (52 Occurrences)
... king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts
on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: (KJV WBS). ...
/c/camels.htm - 24k

Litters (1 Occurrence)
... bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Yahweh, on horses,
and in chariots, and in litters, and on mules, and on dromedaries, to my ...
/l/litters.htm - 6k

Waggons (9 Occurrences)
... brethren out of all the nations as an oblation unto Jehovah, upon horses, and in
chariots, and in covered waggons, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my ...
/w/waggons.htm - 9k

Fitters (1 Occurrence)
... your brethren out of all the nations for an oblation unto Jehovah, upon horses,
and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my ...
/f/fitters.htm - 6k

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