Topical Bible: Presents: Often Conveyed on Camels

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In biblical times, camels were frequently used as a means of transportation for goods and presents, especially in the context of long journeys across arid and desert regions. The camel, known for its endurance and ability to carry heavy loads over long distances without water, was an invaluable asset in the ancient Near East. This made camels the preferred choice for conveying gifts, particularly those intended for royalty or significant figures.

One of the most notable instances of presents being conveyed on camels is found in the account of the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon. The Queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon's great wisdom and wealth, traveled to Jerusalem with a large caravan. The Bible records, "She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones" (1 Kings 10:2). This passage highlights the use of camels to transport valuable gifts, underscoring their role in diplomatic and royal exchanges.

Similarly, the account of the Magi visiting the infant Jesus, while not explicitly mentioning camels in the biblical text, has traditionally been associated with camels in Christian art and tradition. The Magi, or wise men from the East, brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the newborn King (Matthew 2:11). Given the long journey from the East, it is plausible that camels were used to carry these precious gifts, aligning with the historical context of the time.

Camels also appear in the narrative of Jacob and Esau. When Jacob prepared to meet his brother Esau after many years, he sent ahead a series of gifts to appease him. The gifts included "two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milk camels with their calves, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys" (Genesis 32:14-15). The inclusion of camels among the gifts indicates their value and significance.

In the broader biblical context, camels symbolize wealth, status, and the ability to traverse great distances. They were integral to trade routes, such as the Incense Route, which facilitated the exchange of goods between the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean. This trade often involved the transport of spices, incense, and other luxury items, which were highly prized in ancient societies.

The use of camels for conveying presents reflects the practical and economic realities of the ancient world, where the harsh terrain and long distances necessitated reliable and resilient means of transportation. Camels, with their unique adaptations, were ideally suited for this purpose, making them a common feature in biblical narratives involving the exchange of gifts.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 25:18
Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 8:9
So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Your son Benhadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 9:1
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bore spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Cambyses.
... and splendid dresses, loaded her with presents, ordered a ... father was prudent, cautious,
wise, and often generous and ... king was said to have conveyed water into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter i cambyses.htm

Chapter xxiv
... the participle cannot refer, as so often, to the ... seems to take and dangle these presents
before Rebekah ... return was the startling news, conveyed incidentally by ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiv.htm

The Third Continental Journey.
... also been, burned by the enemy, and presents a scene ... of the opening of the school,
conveyed in a ... him almost daily; our conversations were often truly spiritual ...
/.../chapter xii the third continental.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... inherent vitality of which she had so often given proof ... with reference to this exchange
of presents that Sabaco ... their way, the king himself being conveyed in a ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Chapter xxx
... faith; but the soul's workings are often just such a ... Reuben, as little children will,
presents the mandrakes to ... rendering: this is the emphasis conveyed by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... The bulk of the Egyptian population presents the characteristics of ... why it does not
figure more often is, in ... dynasties, the idea of weapons is conveyed by the ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Memphite Empire
... from the sarcophagus chamber itself, presents features imperfectly ... of pyramids of
princely foundation often debased in ... from this reserve, and conveyed in boats ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Chapter xxvi
... This passage presents a close parallel to Genesis 21 ... interpretation agrees the
predominant impression conveyed by the ... Men of Esau's disposition often let their ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... in their mountains, and which were conveyed by caravans ... a nation after an undue strain,
often causing its ... the events of this reign presents serious difficulties ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... 1000 seems to have had some ritualistic significance, for it often recurs in ... the
grain, 1000 head of small cattle, 1000 swift horses, 1000 camels, 1000 brown ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm