Lexical Summary
gamal: Camel
Original Word: גָּמָל
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: gamal
Pronunciation: gah-MAHL
Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-mawl')
KJV: camel
NASB: camels, camel, camels', camel's
Word Origin: [apparently from H1580 (גָּמַל - weaned) (in the sense of labor or burden-bearing)]
1. a camel
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
camel
Apparently from gamal (in the sense of labor or burden-bearing); a camel -- camel.
see HEBREW gamal
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
gamalDefinitiona camel
NASB Translationcamel (5), camel's (1), camels (44), camels' (4).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(reward of God) a prince of Manasseh
Numbers 1:10;
Numbers 2:20;
Numbers 7:54,59;
Numbers 10:23, compare Mishna , Palmyrene Vog
No. 124, Acts 5:34.
Genesis 24:10 9t., & Genesis 32:16 (compare below), (Late Hebrew id. Arabic 👁 Image
, Ethiopic 👁 Image
Assyrian gammalu COTGloss Aramaic , 👁 Image
; Palmyrene Tariff plural ReckendZMG 1888, 401; √ but meaning of √ dubious; BoHieroz i. 73 derives from requite, so LagBN 20, 49 (camel as ); see also conjectures in MV, Dl in HptF. 70 HptBAS i. 171; A. see KremerSemit. Culturentlehn., 2, HomNS 144 ff.) — absolute Genesis 24:64 7t.; plural Genesis 12:16 30t.; construct Genesis 24:10; suffix Genesis 24:14 3t.; Genesis 24:20; Genesis 37:25 6t.; — camel,
(in Hexateuch only J) Genesis 12:16 ("" ) Genesis 24:10,35 ("" etc.) Genesis 30:43 ("" id.) Genesis 32:8 ("" , ) Exodus 9:3 (Egyptian "" , , , , etc.) Judges 6:5; Judges 7:12; 1 Samuel 15:3 ("" etc.) 1 Samuel 27:9; 1 Chronicles 5:21; 1 Chronicles 27:30 (all "" id.) 2 Chron 14:14 ("" ) Ezra 2:67 ("" , , ) = Nehemiah 7:68; Job 1:3 ("" , , ) compare Job 1:17; Job 42:12 ("" id.) Jeremiah 49:29 ("" ) Jeremiah 49:32; Zechariah 14:15 ("" , , ) [4 t. "" and other words, Exodus 9:3 (Egyptians), Zechariah 14:15 (enemies of Israel), Ezra 2:67 = Nehemiah 7:68 (returned exiles)].
Genesis 24:10 compare Genesis 24:11; Genesis 24:14; Genesis 24:19; Genesis 24:20; Genesis 24:22; Genesis 24:30; Genesis 24:31; Genesis 24:32; Genesis 24:32; Genesis 24:44; Genesis 24:46; Genesis 24:46; Genesis 37:25 (all J), 1 Kings 10:2; 2 Kings 8:9; 1 Chronicles 12:41; 2Chronicles 9:1; Isaiah 30:6 (), Isaiah 60:6 ("" ).
Genesis 24:61,63,64 (all J), Genesis 31:17,34 (both E) 1 Samuel 30:17, compare also Judges 8:21,26 and particularly Isaiah 21:7 ; a riding-company of camels i.e. a troop of camels with riders; an abode of camels,in prediction against Ammon Ezekiel 25:5, ("" ).
Leviticus 11:4 (P) Deuteronomy 14:7.
Topical Lexicon
Word Family and Core Ideaגָּמָל designates the camel, the indispensable beast of burden that opened the deserts of the Ancient Near East to trade, migration, warfare, and evangelistic travel. Scripture portrays the animal as a marker of wealth, an instrument of blessing, and, at times, an emblem of judgment.
Distribution in the Old Testament
The word occurs about fifty-four times, appearing in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Judges, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and within the superscription of Psalm 72. Nearly half the references cluster in Genesis (especially chapters 12, 24, 30, 31, 32, and 37).
Camels in the Patriarchal Narratives
1. Markers of Pharaoh’s favor toward Abram (Genesis 12:16).
2. Vehicles of covenantal providence in the search for Isaac’s bride (Genesis 24). Ten camels carry gifts westward, kneel at the well, and finally convey Rebekah to her new home.
3. Tokens of the Lord’s enrichment of Jacob (Genesis 30:43) and pivotal assets in his tense reunion with Esau (Genesis 32:7, 15).
4. Freight-carriers for the Ishmaelite caravan that bought Joseph (Genesis 37:25).
The narratives present the camel as a silent witness to sovereign guidance and fulfilled promise.
Camels under Mosaic Instruction
Leviticus 11:4 and Deuteronomy 14:7 declare the camel “unclean” for food because it chews the cud yet does not divide the hoof. The distinction illustrates God’s right to regulate Israel’s diet and to reinforce her separateness from surrounding cultures, despite the animal’s economic value.
Camels in Warfare and Royal Splendor
• Judges 6–8 records Midianite “camels as numerous as the sand,” highlighting foreign military advantage and Gideon’s Spirit-empowered victory.
• “Four hundred young men who rode on camels” escape David’s onslaught against the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:17).
• The Queen of Sheba arrives “with a very large entourage, with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones” (1 Kings 10:2).
• Asa, Uzziah, and Hezekiah seize camels as spoils of war (2 Chronicles 14:15; 26:7; 32:29).
Thus the animal symbolizes both enemy threat and covenant triumph.
Job: Prosperity Lost and Doubled
Job’s initial wealth includes “three thousand camels” (Job 1:3); after refinement through suffering, the LORD restores “six thousand camels” (Job 42:12). The doubled number underscores divine faithfulness and the principle that suffering saints may yet be rewarded in this life or the next.
Prophetic and Eschatological Imagery
Isaiah 60:6 pictures redeemed Zion:
“A multitude of camels will cover your land—young camels of Midian and Ephah— and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.”
The vision anticipates Gentile nations streaming to the Messiah laden with wealth, echoing the Magi’s gifts. Conversely, Jeremiah 49:29 and Zechariah 14:15 place camels among the possessions stripped or smitten in divine retribution, reminding readers that the Judge of all deprives or supplies at will.
Camels in Wisdom and Poetry
The bride in Song of Solomon likens Solomon’s palanquin to “the interior lined with love” and scented with aromatic spices (Song of Solomon 3:6-10). The association of perfumes with camel caravans evokes the luxury of wedded love.
Spiritual Lessons and Ministry Applications
1. Stewardship: Camels encapsulate wealth gained legitimately (Genesis 24:35) or confiscated through conquest (2 Chronicles 14:15). Believers are stewards; possessions serve God’s mission, not idolatry.
2. Pilgrimage and Service: The beast’s endurance mirrors the disciple’s call to perseverance in hostile environments, carrying living water to barren places.
3. Humility: The desert prince kneels his camel; likewise, the Christian bows the will, submitting resources to the Master’s voice (Genesis 24:11).
4. Separation: The dietary prohibition (Leviticus 11:4) reminds believers that not every culturally advantageous practice is spiritually beneficial.
Christological Connections
Isaiah’s caravan prophecy and Matthew’s account of gold, frankincense, and myrrh converge in Christ. Though the New Testament never uses the Hebrew term, Jesus invokes the image hyperbolically: “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” (Matthew 19:24). Wealth—of which camels were a visible measure—poses eternal danger unless surrendered to grace.
Summary
Across Law, Narrative, Poetry, and Prophets, גָּמָל functions as a barometer of blessing, a tool of providence, a strategic asset, and a vivid metaphor. Whether kneeling at a desert well, streaming toward Zion with Gentile kings, or standing under divine plague, the camel reminds readers that every creature and every possession belongs to the Lord, who employs them for His redemptive purposes.
Forms and Transliterations
בַּגְּמַלִּ֔ים בַּחֲמוֹרִ֣ים בגמלים בחמורים גְּ֠מַלִּים גְּֽמַלֵּיהֶ֞ם גְּמַ֨לֵּיהֶ֔ם גְּמַלִּ֔ים גְּמַלִּ֕ים גְּמַלִּ֜ים גְּמַלִּ֧ים גְּמַלִּים֙ גְּמַלֶּ֖יךָ גְּמַלָּֽיו׃ גְמַלִּ֔ים גְמַלִּ֖ים גְמַלִּ֗ים גְמַלִּ֜ים גְמַלֵּיהֶ֜ם גְמַלֵּיהֶֽם׃ גָּמָ֑ל גמל גמליהם גמליהם׃ גמליו׃ גמליך גמלים הַ֠גָּמָל הַ֨גְּמַלִּ֔ים הַגְּמַלִּ֑ים הַגְּמַלִּ֔ים הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים הַגְּמַלִּ֛ים הַגְּמַלִּֽים׃ הַגְּמַלִּים֙ הַגָּמָ֖ל הַגָּמָ֣ל הַגָּמָֽל׃ הגמל הגמל׃ הגמלים הגמלים׃ וְהַגְּמַלִּ֖ים וְלִגְמַלֵּיהֶ֖ם וְלִגְמַלֵּיהֶם֙ וּ֠גְמַלִּים וּגְמַלִּ֔ים וּגְמַלִּ֖ים וּגְמַלִּֽים׃ וּגְמַלִּים֙ וּגְמַלֵּיהֶ֖ם וּגְמַלֵּיהֶ֣ם וגמליהם וגמלים וגמלים׃ והגמלים ולגמליהם לִגְמַלֶּ֖יךָ לִגְמַלֶּ֙יךָ֙ לַגְּמַלִּ֔ים לַגְּמַלִּֽים׃ לגמליך לגמלים לגמלים׃ מִגְּמַלֵּ֤י מִגָּמָ֖ל מגמל מגמלי ba·ḥă·mō·w·rîm bachamoRim bag·gə·mal·lîm baggemalLim baggəmallîm baḥămōwrîm gā·māl gaMal gāmāl gə·mal·lāw gə·mal·lê·hem ḡə·mal·lê·hem gə·mal·le·ḵā gə·mal·lîm ḡə·mal·lîm gemalLav gəmallāw gəmallêhem ḡəmallêhem gemalLeicha gemalleiHem gəmalleḵā gemalLim gəmallîm ḡəmallîm hag·gā·māl hag·gə·mal·lîm haggaMal haggāmāl Haggamol haggemalLim haggəmallîm lag·gə·mal·lîm laggemalLim laggəmallîm liḡ·mal·le·ḵā ligmalLeicha liḡmalleḵā mig·gā·māl mig·gə·mal·lê miggaMal miggāmāl miggəmallê miggemalLei ū·ḡə·mal·lê·hem ū·ḡə·mal·lîm ūḡəmallêhem ugemalleiHem ugemalLim ūḡəmallîm vehaggemalLim veligmalleiHem wə·hag·gə·mal·lîm wə·liḡ·mal·lê·hem wəhaggəmallîm wəliḡmallêhem
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