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κάμηλος

kámēlos

G2574 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A large, domesticated, long-necked mammal (Camelus dromedarius or Camelus bactrianus) used chiefly as a beast of burden in arid regions. In the New Testament and Septuagint, primarily denotes the animal itself, often in contrast to smaller or tamer livestock or as an emblem of size, awkwardness, or wealth. May be used both literally (referring to the animal) and figuratively (as in hyperbolic sayings).

Semantic Range

camel (the animal), camel as a symbol of size or difficulty (figurative), beast of burden

Root / Etymology

Greek κάμηλος is a loanword from Semitic languages, likely from Aramaic גָּמָל (gāmāl) or through Hebrew גָּמָל (gāmāl), both meaning 'camel.' The Greek form reflects adaptation into the phonology and morphology of Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

κάμηλος appears regularly in both Hellenistic and later Koine Greek texts as the standard word for the animal. Its primary reference is zoological, denoting the dromedary or, less frequently, the Bactrian camel, both of which were familiar in the eastern Mediterranean world. In the New Testament, κάμηλος occurs most notably in hyperbolic sayings (e.g., Matthew 19:24, 'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle...'), where it functions as a figure of speech emphasizing the animal's size, incongruity, or perceived awkwardness as a beast of burden. The Septuagint uses κάμηλος as the regular translation of Hebrew גָּמָל. The word does not carry secondary metaphorical or cultural senses beyond what is evident from context. English translations as 'camel' capture the primary referent accurately in most cases, but may gloss over the force of the term in figurative speech in Greek. κάμηλος is not to be confused with κάμιλος, an entirely different (rare) word for 'rope' sometimes alleged in textual variants, but these are unfounded in Greek manuscript tradition.

Translation Consistency

primary "camel" 6 occurrences

This lemma is a noun denoting the animal; ‘camel’ is the natural, common English word that covers literal and figurative uses (beast of burden, emblem of size/awkwardness) and matches the SILEX range. Using ‘camel’ ensures consistent, natural rendering across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (גָּמָל); a "camel":--camel.

Root Family

κάμηλος (kamelos) — camel, beast of burden

Root καμηλ- camel, beast of burden

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2574-01 κάμηλον kamelon N ACC M SG a camel a camel a camel 4
G2574-02 καμήλου kamelou N GEN F SG camel's of a camel of a camel 2

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2574-02 Matthew 3:4 καμήλου kamelou N GEN F SG camel's of a camel of a camel
G2574-01 Matthew 19:24 κάμηλον kamelon N ACC M SG camel a camel a camel
G2574-01 Matthew 23:24 κάμηλον kamelon N ACC M SG camel a camel a camel
G2574-02 Mark 1:6 καμήλου kamelou N GEN F SG camel's of a camel of a camel
G2574-01 Mark 10:25 κάμηλον kamelon N ACC M SG a camel a camel a camel
G2574-01 Luke 18:25 κάμηλον kamelon N ACC M SG a camel a camel a camel
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