Topical Bible: Beasts: Unclean: Dromedary

◄ Beasts: Unclean: Dromedary ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The dromedary, commonly known as the Arabian camel, is a single-humped camel native to the Middle East and North Africa. In the context of the Bible, the dromedary is classified among the unclean animals, which the Israelites were prohibited from consuming according to the dietary laws set forth in the Old Testament.

Biblical References:

The primary reference to the dromedary as an unclean animal is found in the book of Leviticus, where God provides Moses with a detailed list of animals that the Israelites are forbidden to eat. Leviticus 11:4 states, "But of those that only chew the cud or have only a split hoof, you are not to eat: the camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you." The dromedary, being a type of camel, falls under this prohibition due to its lack of a split hoof, despite its cud-chewing habit.

Similarly, Deuteronomy 14:7 reiterates this command: "But of those that chew the cud or have a split hoof, you are not to eat the following: the camel, the rabbit, or the rock badger. Although they chew the cud, they do not have a split hoof; they are unclean for you."

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, camels, including dromedaries, were highly valued for their ability to travel long distances across arid regions, serving as essential beasts of burden and transportation. Despite their practical utility, the Israelites were instructed to maintain a distinct identity through adherence to dietary laws, which included abstaining from certain animals deemed unclean.

The classification of the dromedary as unclean is part of a broader set of purity laws that governed the daily lives of the Israelites, emphasizing holiness and separation from surrounding nations. These laws served as a constant reminder of their covenant relationship with God and their call to be a holy people.

Symbolic and Theological Significance:

The designation of certain animals as unclean, including the dromedary, carries symbolic significance in the biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of separation between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean. This distinction is a recurring motif throughout the Scriptures, reflecting God's desire for His people to live in obedience and purity.

In the New Testament, the dietary laws, including the prohibition against eating unclean animals, are reinterpreted in light of Christ's redemptive work. In Acts 10, Peter's vision of a sheet containing all kinds of animals, clean and unclean, signifies the removal of such distinctions, as God declares, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15). This revelation marks a pivotal moment in the early Church, highlighting the inclusivity of the Gospel message to all people, Jew and Gentile alike.

Conclusion:

The dromedary, as an unclean animal, serves as a testament to the intricate laws that governed the lives of the Israelites, reflecting their unique identity as God's chosen people. While the specific dietary restrictions are no longer binding for Christians, the underlying principles of holiness and obedience continue to resonate within the broader biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 4:28
Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they to the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Esther 8:10
And he wrote in the 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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... The fauna include, besides wild beasts of the more ... as the ass, buffalo, sheep, goat,
dog, and dromedary, and the ... shalt cast them away as an unclean thing; thou ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm