CAMEL to CANDLE
Contents
CAMEL
from the Hebrew gamal, "to repay" or "requite," as the camel does the care of its master. There are two distinct species of camels, having, however, the common characteristics of being "ruminants without horns, without muzzle, with nostrils forming oblique slits, the upper lip divided and separately movable and extensile, the soles of the feet horny, with two toes covered by claws, the limbs long, the abdomen drawn up, while the neck, long and slender, is bent up and down, the reverse of that of a horse, which is arched."
(1.) The Bactrian camel is distinguished by two humps. It is a native of the high table-lands of Central Asia.
(2.) The Arabian camel or dromedary, from the Greek dromos, "a runner" (Isa. 60:6; Jer. 2:23), has but one hump, and is a native of Western Asia or Africa.
The camel was early used both for riding and as a beast of burden (Gen. 24:64; 37:25), and in war (1 Sam. 30:17; Isa. 21:7). Mention is made of the camel among the cattle given by Pharaoh to Abraham (Gen. 12:16). Its flesh was not to be eaten, as it was ranked among unclean animals (Lev. 11:4; Deut. 14:7). Abraham's servant rode on a camel when he went to fetch a wife for Isaac (Gen. 24:10, 11). Jacob had camels as a portion of his wealth (Gen 30:43), as Abraham also had (Gen 24:35).
He sent a present of thirty milch camels to his brother Esau (Gen 32:15). It appears to have been little in use among the Jews after the conquest. It is, however, mentioned in the history of David (1 Chr. 27:30), and after the Exile (Ezra 2:67; Neh. 7:69). Camels were much in use among other nations in the East. The queen of Sheba came with a caravan of camels when she came to see the wisdom of Solomon (1 Kings 10:2; 2 Chr. 9:1). Benhadad of Damascus also sent a present to Elisha, "forty camels' burden" (2 Kings 8:9).
To show the difficulty in the way of a rich man's entering into the kingdom, our Lord uses the proverbial expression that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (Matt. 19:24).
To strain at (rather, out) a gnat and swallow a camel was also a proverbial expression (Matt. 23:24), used with reference to those who were careful to avoid small faults, and yet did not hesitate to commit the greatest sins. The Jews carefully filtered their wine before drinking it, for fear of swallowing along with it some insect forbidden in the law as unclean, and yet they omitted openly the "weightier matters" of the law.
The raiment worn by John the Baptist was made of camel's hair (Matt. 3:4; Mark 1:6), by which he was distinguished from those who resided in royal palaces and wore soft raiment. This was also the case with Elijah (2 Kings 1:8), who is called "a hairy man," from his wearing such raiment. "This is one of the most admirable materials for clothing; it keeps out the heat, cold, and rain." The "sackcloth" so often alluded to (2 Kings 1:8; Isa. 15:3; Zech. 13:4, etc.) was probably made of camel's hair.
Herds of Ge 12:16; 24:35; 30:43; 1Sa 30:17; 1Ch 27:30; Job 1:3, 17; Isa 60:6
Docility of Ge 24:11
Uses of
For riding Ge 24:10, 61, 64; 31:17
Posts Es 8:10, 14; Jer 2:23
Drawing chariots Isa 21:7
For carrying burdens Ge 24:10; 37:25; 1Ki 10:2; 2Ki 8:9; 1Ch 12:40; Isa 30:6
For cavalry 1Sa 30:17
For milk Ge 32:15
Forbidden as food Le 11:4
Hair of, made into cloth Mt 3:4; Mr 1:6
Ornaments of Jud 8:21, 26
Stables for Eze 25:5
CALL
(1.) To cry for help, hence to pray (Gen. 4:26). Thus men are said to "call upon the name of the Lord" (Acts 2:21; 7:59; 9:14; Rom. 10:12; 1 Cor. 1:2).
(2.) God calls with respect to men when he designates them to some special office (Ex. 31:2; Isa. 22:20; Acts 13:2), and when he invites them to accept his offered grace (Matt. 9:13; 11:28; 22:4).
In the message of the gospel his call is addressed to all men, to Jews and Gentiles alike (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Rom. 9:24, 25). But this universal call is not inseparably connected with salvation, although it leaves all to whom it comes inexcusable if they reject it (John 3:14-19; Matt. 22:14).
An effectual call is something more than the outward message of the Word of God to men. It is internal, and is the result of the enlightening and sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit (John 16:14; Acts 26: 18; John 6:44), effectually drawing men to Christ, and disposing and enabling them to receive the truth (John 6:45; Acts 16:14; Eph. 1:17).
Calling a profession, or as we usually say, a vocation (1 Cor. 7:20). The "hope of your calling" in Eph. 4:4 is the hope resulting from your being called into the kingdom of God.
CAMON
full of stalks, a place (Judg. 10:5) where Jair was buried. It has usually been supposed to have been a city of Gilead, on the east of Jordan.
It is probably, however, the modern Tell-el-Kaimun, on the southern slopes of Carmel, the Jokneam of Carmel (Josh. 12:22; 1 Kings 4:12), since it is not at all unlikely that after he became judge, Jair might find it more convenient to live on the west side of Jordan; and that he was buried where he had lived.
Place where Jair was buried Jud 10:5
CAMP
During their journeys across the wilderness, the twelve tribes formed encampments at the different places where they halted (Ex. 16:13; Num. 2:3).
The diagram here given shows the position of the different tribes and the form of the encampment during the wanderings, according to Num. 1:53; 2:2-31; 3:29, 35, 38; 10:13-28.
The area of the camp would be in all about 3 square miles. After the Hebrews entered Palestine, the camps then spoken of were exclusively warlike (Josh. 11:5, 7; Judg. 5:19, 21; 7:1; 1 Sam. 29:1; 30:9, etc.).
Of the Israelites around the tabernacle Nu 2:1; 3:1
See ITINERARY
CAMPHIRE
(Heb. copher), mentioned in Cant. Heb 1:14 (R.V., "henna-flowers"); Heb 4:13 (R.V., "henna"), is the al-henna of the Arabs, a native of Egypt, producing clusters of small white and yellow odoriferous flowers, whence is made the Oleum Cyprineum. From its leaves is made the peculiar auburn dye with which Eastern women stain their nails and the palms of their hands. It is found only at Engedi, on the shore of the Dead Sea.
It is known to botanists by the name Lawsonia alba or inermis, a kind of privet, which grows 6 or 8 feet high. The margin of the Authorized Version of the passages above referred to has "or cypress," not with reference to the conifer so called, but to the circumstance that one of the most highly appreciated species of this plant grew in the island of Cyprus.
(Henna, R. V.)) A shrub bearing fragrant flowers (not related to camphor) So 1:14; 4:13
CANA
reedy, a town of Galilee, near Capernaum. Here our Lord wrought his first miracle, the turning of water into wine (John 2:1-11; 4:46). It is also mentioned as the birth-place of Nathanael (Jn 21:2). It is not mentioned in the Old Testament.
It has been identified with the modern Kana el-Jelil, also called Khurbet Kana, a place 8 or 9 miles north of Nazareth. Others have identified it with Kefr Kenna, which lies on the direct road to the Sea of Galilee, about 5 miles north-east of Nazareth, and 12 in a direct course from Tiberias. It is called "Cana of Galilee," to distinguish it from Cana of Asher (Josh. 19:28).
Marriage at Jn 2:1-11 Nobleman's son healed at Jn 4:46-47 Nathanael's home at Jn 21:2
CANAAN
(1.) The fourth son of Ham (Gen. 10:6). His descendants were under a curse in consequence of the transgression of his father (Ge 9:22-27). His eldest son, Zidon, was the father of the Sidonians and Phoenicians. He had eleven sons, who were the founders of as many tribes (Ge 10:15-18).
(2.) The country which derived its name from the preceding. The name as first used by the Phoenicians denoted only the maritime plain on which Sidon was built. But in the time of Moses and Joshua it denoted the whole country to the west of the Jordan and the Dead Sea (Deut. 11:30). In Josh. 5:12 the LXX. read, "land of the Phoenicians," instead of "land of Canaan."
The name signifies "the lowlands," as distinguished from the land of Gilead on the east of Jordan, which was a mountainous district. The extent and boundaries of Canaan are fully set forth in different parts of Scripture (Gen. 10:19; 17:8; Num. 13:29; 34:8).
(See CANAANITES, PALESTINE)
1. Son of Ham Ge 9:18
Descendants of Ge 10:6, 15; 1Ch 1:8, 13
2. Land of Ge 11:31; 17:8; 23:2
Called THE SANCTUARY Ex 15:17
Called PALESTINE Ex 15:14
Called THE LAND OF ISRAEL 1Sa 13:19
Called THE LAND OF THE HEBREWS Ge 40:15
Called THE LAND OF THE JEWS Ac 10:39
Called THE LAND OF PROMISE Heb 11:9
Called THE HOLY LAND Zec 2:12
Called THE LORD'S LAND Ho 9:3
Called IMMANUEL'S LAND Isa 8:8
Called BEULAH Isa 62:4
Promised to Abraham and his seed Ge 12:1-7; 13:14-17; 15:18-21; 17:8; Deut 12:9, 10; Ps 105:11 . Renewed to Isaac Ge 26:3
Extent of
According to the promise Ge 15:18; Ex 23:31; Deut 11:24; Jos 1:4; 15:1
After the conquest by Joshua Jos 12:1-8
In Solomon's time 1Ki 4:21, 24; 2Ch 7:8; 9:26
Prophecy concerning, after the restoration of Israel Eze 47:13-20
Fertility of Deut 8:7-9; 11:10-13
Fruitfulness of Nu 13:27; 14:7-8; Jer 2:7; 32:22
Products of .Fruits Deut 8:8; Jer 40:10, 12
Mineral Deut 8:9 .Exports of Eze 27:17
Famines in Ge 12:10; 26:1; 47:13; Ru 1:1; 2Sa 21:1; 1Ki 17:1
See FAMINE
Spies sent into, by Moses Nu 13:17-29
Conquest of, by the Israelites Nu 21:21; 35; Deut 3:3-6; Jos 6:1; 7:1; 8:1; 9:1; 10:1; 11:1; 12:1; Ps 44:1-3
Divided by lot among the twelve tribes, and families Nu 26:55-56; 33:54; 34:13
By Joshua, Eleazar and a prince from each tribe Nu 34:16-29; 35:1-8; Jos 14:1; 15:1; 16:1; 17:1; 18:1; 19:1
Divided into twelve provinces by Solomon 1Ki 4:7-19
Into two kingdoms, Judah and Israel 1Ki 11:29-36; 12:16-21
Roman provinces of Lk 3:1; Jn 4:3-4
CANAANITE
div id given to the apostle Simon (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18). The word here does not, however, mean a descendant of Canaan, but is a translation, or rather almost a transliteration, of the Syriac word Kanenyeh (R.V. rendered "Cananaen"), which designates the Jewish sect of the Zealots.
Hence he is called elsewhere (Luke 6:15) "Simon Zelotes;" i.e., Simon of the sect of the Zealots.
(See SIMON)
CANAANITES
the descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. Migrating from their original home, they seem to have reached the Persian Gulf, and to have there sojourned for some time.
They thence "spread to the west, across the mountain chain of Lebanon to the very edge of the Mediterranean Sea, occupying all the land which later became Palestine, also to the north-west as far as the mountain chain of Taurus. This group was very numerous, and broken up into a great many peoples, as we can judge from the list of nations (Gen. 10:1 all), the 'sons of Canaan.'" Six different tribes are mentioned in Ex. 3:8, 17; 23:23; 33:2; 34:11. In Ex. 13:5 the "Perizzites" are omitted. The "Girgashites" are mentioned in addition to the foregoing in Deut. 7:1; Josh. 3:10.
The "Canaanites," as distinguished from the Amalekites, the Anakim, and the Rephaim, were "dwellers in the lowlands" (Num. 13:29), the great plains and valleys, the richest and most important parts of Palestine. Tyre and Sidon, their famous cities, were the centres of great commercial activity; and hence the name "Canaanite" came to signify a "trader" or "merchant" (Job 41:6; Prov. 31:24, lit. "Canaanites;" comp. Zeph. 1:11; Ezek. 17:4). The name "Canaanite" is also sometimes used to designate the non-Israelite inhabitants of the land in general (Gen. 12:6; Num. 21:3; Judg. 1:10).
The Israelites, when they were led to the Promised Land, were commanded utterly to destroy the descendants of Canaan then possessing it (Ex. 23:23; Num. 33:52, 53; Deut. 20:16, 17). This was to be done "by little and little," lest the beasts of the field should increase (Ex. 23:29; Deut. 7:22, 23).
The history of these wars of conquest is given in the Book of Joshua. The extermination of these tribes, however, was never fully carried out. Jerusalem was not taken till the time of David (2 Sam. 5:6, 7). In the days of Solomon bond-service was exacted from the fragments of the tribes still remaining in the land (1 Kings 9:20, 21). Even after the return from captivity survivors of five of the Canaanitish tribes were still found in the land.
In the Tell-el-Amarna tablets Canaan is found under the forms of Kinakhna and Kinakhkhi. Under the name of Kanana the Canaanites appear on Egyptian monuments, wearing a coat of mail and helmet, and distinguished by the use of spear and javelin and the battle-axe. They were called Phoenicians by the Greeks and Poeni by the Romans. By race the Canaanites were Semitic. They were famous as merchants and seamen, as well as for their artistic skill. The chief object of their worship was the sun-god, who was addressed by the general name of Baal, "lord." Each locality had its special Baal, and the various local Baals were summed up under the name of Baalim, "lords."
Eleven nations, descended from Canaan Ge 10:15-19; Deut 7:1; 1Ch 1:13-16
Territory of Ge 10:19; 12:6; 15:18; Ex 23:31; Nu 13:29; 34:2-12; Jos 1:4; 5:1
Given to the Israelites Ge 12:6-7; 15:18; 17:8; Ex 23:23; Deut 7:1-3; 32:49; Ps 135:11-12
Wickedness of Le 18:25, Ge 13:13; 27-28; 20:23
To be expelled from the land Ex 33:2; 34:11
To be destroyed Ex 23:23, 24; Deut 19:1; 31:3-5
Not expelled Jos 17:12-18; Jud 1:1-33; 3:1-3
Defeat the Israelites Nu 14:45; Jud 4:1-3
Defeated by the Israelites Nu 21:1-3; Jos 11:1-16; Jud 4:4-24
By the Egyptians 1Ki 9:16
Chariots of Jos 17:18
Isaac forbidden by Abraham to take a wife from Ge 28:1
Judah marries a woman of Ge 38:2; 1Ch 2:3
The exile Jews take wives from Ezr 9:2
Prophecy concerning Ge 9:25-27
CANAAN
the language of - mentioned in Isa. 19:18, denotes the language spoken by the Jews resident in Palestine.
The language of the Canaanites and of the Hebrews was substantially the same. This is seen from the fragments of the Phoenician language which still survive, which show the closest analogy to the Hebrew. Yet the subject of the language of the "Canaanites" is very obscure.
The cuneiform writing of Babylon, as well as the Babylonian language, was taught in the Canaanitish schools, and the clay tablets of Babylonian literature were stored in the Canaanitish libraries. Even the Babylonian divinities were borrowed by the Canaanites.
CANDACE
the queen of the Ethiopians whose "eunuch" or chamberlain was converted to Christianity by the instrumentality of Philip the evangelist (Acts 8:27). The country which she ruled was called by the Greeks Meroe, in Upper Nubia. It was long the centre of commercial intercourse between Africa and the south of Asia, and hence became famous for its wealth (Isa. 45:14).
It is somewhat singular that female sovereignty seems to have prevailed in Ethiopia, the name Candace (compare "Pharaoh," "Ptolemy," "Caesar") being a title common to several successive queens. It is probable that Judaism had taken root in Ethiopia at this time, and hence the visit of the queen's treasurer to Jerusalem to keep the feast.
There is a tradition that Candace was herself converted to Christianity by her treasurer on his return, and that he became the apostle of Christianity in that whole region, carrying it also into Abyssinia. It is said that he also preached the gospel in Arabia Felix and in Ceylon, where he suffered martyrdom.
(See PHILIP)
Queen of Ethiopia Ac 8:27
CANDIDATE
-Refuses to make promises 2Ch 10:3-16
-Electioneering by, instance of, Absalom 2Sa 15:1-6
CANDLE
Heb. ner, Job 18:6; 29:3; Ps. 18:28; Prov. 24:20, in all which places the Revised Version and margin of Authorized Version have "lamp," by which the word is elsewhere frequently rendered.
The Hebrew word denotes properly any kind of candle or lamp or torch. It is used as a figure of conscience (Prov. 20:27), of a Christian example (Matt. 5:14, 15), and of prosperity (Job 21:17; Prov. 13:9).
(Revised version and most commentators substitute "lamp" for "candle" throughout the Scriptures)
See LAMP