κάμηλος (kamēlos)
kamēlos
camel
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kamēlos refers to the large, desert-dwelling mammal known as a camel or dromedary. In the New Testament, this animal appears in two distinct contexts: first as part of John the Baptist’s rugged attire (Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6), and later within Jesus’ famous teachings on wealth and salvation.
Its most significant usage occurs in a series of parallel statements across Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Jesus employs the image of a camel passing through the eye of a needle to illustrate the extreme difficulty for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24; Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25). This hyperbolic comparison highlights the spiritual peril of trusting in material wealth, using the largest common land animal to emphasize the impossibility of human effort alone achieving salvation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kamēlos simply means "camel." In the New Testament, this large animal appears in two very different settings. John the Baptist wore a rough coat made of camel’s hair, showing his humility and separation from worldly comfort. Later, Jesus used the image of a camel to teach about wealth.
He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s Kingdom. This was not a literal instruction but a vivid picture. It shows how hard it is to trust in money instead of God. The size of the camel makes the task seem impossible, reminding us that we need God’s help, not our own resources.
This word invites us to look at what we hold dear. Are we clinging to material things? Jesus’ teaching encourages us to release that grip and trust in His grace alone for salvation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of a camel2×
- a camel2×
- camel1×
- [for] a camel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κάμηλον4×
- καμήλου2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 19:24
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
Jesus uses the camel's large size to show the impossibility of a rich person entering heaven by their own efforts.
-
Mark 10:25
It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
This parallel account reinforces the hyperbolic contrast between the huge animal and the tiny needle eye.
-
Matthew 3:4
Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
The camel hair in John's clothing highlights his ascetic lifestyle and rejection of luxury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word kamēlos mean?
Did Jesus really say a camel can go through a needle's eye?
Why does John the Baptist wear camel hair?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 3 books)
Matthew 3 verses
Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild…
Matthew 19:24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s…
Matthew 23:24You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!