Topical Encyclopedia
A caravan, in biblical times, refers to a group of travelers, often merchants or pilgrims, journeying together for mutual protection and support, especially across deserts or through regions that were sparsely populated and potentially dangerous. Caravans were a common sight in the ancient Near East, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between distant lands.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 37:25 · The account of Joseph provides one of the earliest mentions of a caravan in the Bible. Joseph's brothers, after casting him into a pit, see a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. The passage states: "As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt." This caravan was instrumental in the narrative, as Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites, who then took him to Egypt, setting the stage for his rise to power.
2.
Job 6:18-19 · In the poetic discourse of Job, caravans are used metaphorically to describe the disappointment of unreliable friends. The text reads: "Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish. The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it." Here, the imagery of caravans seeking water in the desert underscores the desperation and futility experienced by Job.
3.
Isaiah 21:13 · The prophet Isaiah delivers an oracle concerning Arabia, mentioning caravans: "This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites." This reference highlights the nomadic lifestyle and the reliance on caravans for survival in the harsh desert environment.
Cultural and Historical Context:Caravans were essential for trade in the ancient world, connecting regions such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Arabia, and the Levant. They typically consisted of camels, which were well-suited for desert travel due to their ability to endure long periods without water. Caravans transported a variety of goods, including spices, textiles, precious metals, and incense, which were highly valued in distant markets.
The presence of caravans in biblical narratives often signifies the movement of goods and people, reflecting the interconnectedness of ancient societies. They also serve as a backdrop for divine providence and intervention, as seen in the account of Joseph, where a caravan becomes the means by which God's plan unfolds.
Spiritual Significance:In a spiritual sense, caravans can symbolize the journey of faith, where believers travel together, supporting one another through the challenges of life. The communal aspect of caravans mirrors the Christian community, emphasizing fellowship, mutual aid, and the shared goal of reaching a promised destination. The imagery of a caravan can also remind believers of the transient nature of earthly life and the ultimate journey towards the heavenly kingdom.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants, organized and equipped for a long journey, or marching or traveling together, esp. through deserts and countries infested by robbers or hostile tribes, as in Asia or Africa.
2. (n.) A large, covered wagon, or a train of such wagons, for conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition; an itinerant show, as of wild beasts.
3. (n.) A covered vehicle for carrying passengers or for moving furniture, etc.; -- sometimes shorted into van.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CARAVANkar'-a-van, kar-a-van' ('orach): This word is not found in the King James Version, but the Revised Version (British and American) employs it three times, namely, inJob 6:18, 19 ('orchoth), where the King James Version renders "paths" (Job 6:18) and "troops" (Job 6:19); inIsaiah 21:13 ('orechoth), where the King James Version and English Versions of the Bible give "travelling companies," and inEzekiel 27:25 (sharoth), where the King James Version gives a totally different translation. The Hebrew text in Ezekiel is dubious, but in Isaiah and Job "caravan" is undoubtedly a correct rendering of the Hebrew (compare alsoGenesis 37:25). The inhabitants of Palestine were familiar with the caravans-the goods trains of the Semitic world-which traveled between BabyIon and Syria on the one hand to Arabia and on the other to Egypt. The main routes between these countries passed through Canaan. Isaiah refers to "caravans of Jedanites"-a trading Arabic tribe who conveyed their wares to Babylon. Job compares his would-be friends to a deceitful brook, full in the rainy season, but dry in summer, which entices caravans to turn aside from the main route in the hope of a plentiful supply of water, but which fails the thirsty travelers when they need it most.
T. Lewis
Greek
4923. sunodia -- a journey in company, by ext. a company (of...... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sunodia Phonetic Spelling: (soon-od-ee'-
ah) Short Definition: a company traveling together, a
caravan Definition: a
...Strong's Hebrew
736. orechah -- a traveling company,caravan... 735, 736. orechah. 737 . a traveling company,
caravan. Transliteration: orechah
Phonetic Spelling: (o-rekh-aw') Short Definition:
caravan.
...871. Atharim -- acaravan route in the Negev
... 870, 871. Atharim. 872 . acaravan route in the Negev. Transliteration: Atharim
Phonetic Spelling: (ath-aw-reem') Short Definition: Atharim....
4723. miqveh -- a hope
... from qavah; something waited for, ie Confidence (objective or subjective); also
a collection, ie (of water) a pond, or (of men and horses) acaravan or drove...
1979. halikah -- a going, way, traveling company
... company, going, walk, way. Feminine of haliyk; a walking; by implication, a procession
or march, acaravan -- company, going, walk, way. see HEBREW haliyk....
734. orach -- a way, path
... manner, highway. From 'arach; a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also
acaravan -- manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop, (by-, high-)way....
Library
Hebrew Captives; Or, Mordecai and Esther.
... The first returncaravan was organized and directed by Zerubbabel, the grandson
of king Jehoiachim, and by Jeshua, a grandson of the last high-priest Jozadak....
The Entry into Jerusalem.
... But then the Passovercaravan must have reached Jericho on Sabbath, or on Friday,
remaining there on Sabbath, which is not probable, from the general tenor of...
Human Soot
... a ragged school. We do not read that the good Samaritan was a merchant,
on his march, at the head of his owncaravan. We do not...
Heroic Faith
... Theircaravan was made unwieldy and feeble by the presence of a large proportion
of women and children. They had much valuable property with them....
Christ Ledges with Zaccheus. (Luke, xix. , 2, Seq. )
... of the multitude. But Jesus went with them no further; perhaps thecaravan
wished to reach Jerusalem on the same day. [638] In the...
Divisions among the People. --Christ's Return into Galilee.
... that Jesus went up to the feast "not openly, but, as it were, in secret" (vii.,
10), be explained by supposing that he did not take the usualcaravan road, nor...
In Jericho and at Bethany - Jericho - a Guest with Zacch??us - the...
... these advantages of climate, soil, and productions we add, that it was, so to speak,
the key of Jud??a towards the east, that it lay on thecaravan-road from...
Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... home. Scarcely was the interesting boy weeping in his prison before acaravan
of Ishmaelites, and then of Midianites, came in sight....
Man's Passions and God's Purpose
... 3. The ill-omened meal is interrupted by the sudden appearance, so picturesquely
described, of thecaravan of Ishmaelites with their loaded camels....
The Nations of the North-East
... He had secured thecaravan-road which led across the desert, past the future Palmyra,
to the Euphrates, and eastward of that river the Aramaean states sent him...
Thesaurus
Caravan (8 Occurrences)...CARAVAN.
... The Hebrew text in Ezekiel is dubious, but in Isaiah and Job "
caravan" is
undoubtedly a correct rendering of the Hebrew (compare also Genesis 37:25).
...Lod (4 Occurrences)
... The town stood on the greatcaravan road between Babylon and Egypt, near its
intersection with that from Joppa to Jerusalem and the East....
Lydda (3 Occurrences)
... The town stood on the greatcaravan road between Babylon and Egypt, near its
intersection with that from Joppa to Jerusalem and the East....
Fetched (26 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:28 And the exportation of horses that Solomon had was from Egypt: acaravan
of the king's merchants fetched a drove of horses, at a price. (DBY)....
Exportation (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:28 And the exportation of horses that Solomon had was from Egypt: acaravan
of the king's merchants fetched a drove of horses, at a price. (DBY)....
Dayspring (2 Occurrences)
... With Godet we believe that the picture is borrowed from thecaravan which has missed
its way in the desert.... The wholecaravan leaps to its feet....
Arabia (9 Occurrences)
... The northern has been traversed in many directions; it has numerouscaravan routes,
and some important towns are situated in the heart of it....
Jacob (361 Occurrences)
... During these 7 years were born most of the sons and daughters (Genesis 37:35) that
formed the actual family, the nucleus of that largecaravan that Jacob took...
Jordan (188 Occurrences)
... The valley of the Yarmuk now furnishes a natural grade for the Acre and Damascus
Railroad, as it did for thecaravan routes of early times....
Jog'behah (2 Occurrences)
... Judges 8:11 And Gideon went up by thecaravan route east of Nobah and Jog'behah,
and attacked the army; for the army was off its guard. (DBY RSV)....
Resources
Who was Judah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Jacob wrestling with God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Peniel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgCaravan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
