CAM

CAM the other in Bethel, the two extremes of his kingdom. It is supposed this wicked king had become acquainted with the forms and objects of idolatrous worship while he dwelt in Egypt. 1 Kgs 11:40. His sin is almost always mentioned whenever his name is used. See Jeroboam. Calves of our Lips, Hos 14:2, is a figurative expression signifying the fruits of our lips, or our offerings of praise to God. Calves were used in sacrifices, and we are to render praises and thanksgivings to God as the offering of our lips. Heb 13:15.

CAM adapt the animal to the countries he inhabits and to the services required of him. He is, perhaps, more sure-footed than the ass, more easily supported, and capable of an incomparably greater burden. He can carry a load of 600 or 800 pounds Camel at the rate of 30 miles a day, and, on short journeys, 1000 to 1200 pounds. His usual speed is two and a half miles an hour, but the breed of fast camels called distinctively dromedaries, Jer 2:23, will travel 100 miles a day. Like a docile colt, this animal is driven or led by a rude halter. Crescent-shaped ornaments of cloth and cowrie-shells, or even of silver, are often hung to the camel's neck Jud 8:21, Acts 11:26. The flesh and milk are used for food (except by Jews); the skin and hair are employed for garments; the bones are cut into various articles and sometimes the dung is needed for fuel. The ordinary life of the camel is from 30 to 50 years. Camels were formerly, and are still, in the East, among the chief possessions of the wealthy. Gen 12:16; Gen 30:43; Gen 37:25; Jud 6:5 and Num 7:12; 1 Sam 30:17; 1 Kgs 10:2; 1 Chr 5:21;2 Chr 14:15; Job 1:3 and Job 42:12; Isa 30:6. The expression in Matt 19:24 is usually considered figurative, denoting something beyond human power. The same form of expression is used among the Arabs and by the Rabbins in respect to the elephant. Some believe that the expression refers to the small door within the large and heavy door of the Oriental gate, for this is called in Arabic "the needle's eye." Rolla Floyd (a well-known Syrian dragoman) told the writer that till recently it was the custom to close the gates of Jerusalem from 12 till 2 on Fridays during Mohammedan worship, but this small door might then be used. On one such occasion, Mr. F. was waiting outside the Jaffa gate for some travellers, when a train of camels arrived. He saw them enter the city by unloading each animal and taking it separately through "the needle's eye." Another figurative expression occurs Matt 23:24, in which the inconsistency of the scribes and Pharisees (who attended to the most unimportant ceremonies of their religion, while they were unjust, unmerciful, and faithless) is compared to one who should very carefully strain out (not at) a gnat or other small insect from the liquor he was about to drink, and yet swallow an animal as large as a camel. See Drink. Travellers sometimes throw over the camel, upon the top of his burden, a pair of panniers, in which they ride, one on either side. Two boxes like small carriage-bodies are often hung upon the animal in the same manner, and in these females may ride and be sheltered from the heat. Gen 24:64. It is easy to see how Rachel might have concealed her father's idols. Gen 31:34. The camel is said to choose ruinous and desolate places for his habitations, and hence the force of the prophetic language respecting Rabbah, Eze 25:5; though the prophecy would be abundantly verified if the place should merely become a stopping-place for caravans. Camel's Hair, Matt 3:4, was made into cloth. 2 Kgs 1:8; Zech 13:4. Sometimes the fabric was wrought of the finest and softest part of the hair, and was then a very rich and luxurious article of dress. A coarser kind was used for the covering of tents and for the upper garments of shepherds and camel-drivers. Travellers tell us that modern dervishes wear cloth of this kind, and also leathern girdles. The raiment of John the Baptist, Matt 11:8, was probably of this kind, for it is put in opposition to soft raiment; but some think it was of prepared camel's hide.

CAM passages of the Levitical law relate to things that are to be done within or without the camp. The form of encamping, Ex 16:13, is particularly prescribed in Num 2. The tabernacle occupied the centre, and nearest to this were the tents of the Levites, who were intrusted with the principal care of it. Num 3. The whole body of the people, embracing upward of 600,000 fighting-men, besides women and children, were formed in four divisions, three tribes constituting a division, so that the tabernacle was enclosed in a hollow square. Each of these divisions had a standard, as well as each tribe and each of the large family associations of which the tribes were composed. Each tribe had its captain or commander assigned by God's direction. The view of such a mass of people, maintaining the most perfect order and subordination, might well excite the admiration of the beholder. Num 24:2-5. It is not difficult to imagine the emotions which such a view would awaken in one who, from the summit of Mount Peor, looked down upon the vast congregation of the Lord's people gathered around the sacred symbols of his presence. Num 24:5-6. " Outside of the camp " must all defilement and all defiled persons be put. Consequently, lepers, those defiled by contact with the dead, captives taken in war, were kept out for a greater or less period, and the ashes of the sacrifice and all that was not burnt on the altar were carried out. The dead were there buried, and there executions and the burning of the young bullock for the sin-offering took place. See references in order:Lev 13:46; Lev 14:3; Num 12:14-15; Num 31:19; Josh 6:23; Deut 23:10,Jud 4:12; Lev 6:11;Lev 8:17 Lev 10:4-5; Lev 24:14; Lev 4:12. We are not to picture an enormous camp lying foursquare, containing regular streets, like

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A turning or sliding piece which, by the shape of its periphery or face, or a groove in its surface, imparts variable or intermittent motion to, or receives such motion from, a rod, lever, or block brought into sliding or rolling contact with it.

2. A curved wedge, movable about an axis, used for forcing or clamping two pieces together.

3. A projecting part of a wheel or other moving piece so shaped as to give alternate or variable motion to another piece against which its acts.

4. A ridge or mound of earth. [Prow. Eng.] Wright. Cam wheel (Mach.), a wheel with one or more projections (cams) or depressions upon its periphery or upon its face; one which is set or shaped eccentrically, so that its revolutions impart a varied, reciprocating, or intermittent motion.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

Crooked. [Obs.]