בֶּכֶר (be.kher)
be.kher
young camel
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun beker refers specifically to a young camel or dromedary. It is not a general term for camels but denotes this particular animal, likely highlighting its youth or specific breed characteristics in the ancient Near Eastern context.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Isaiah 60:6. The prophet uses it to describe the gifts brought by distant nations, who will arrive "with a cloud" and bring gold and frankincense along with flocks of sheep and herds of young camels. This vivid imagery emphasizes the wealth and grandeur of the future restoration of Zion.
Translators typically render beker as "young camel" or "dromedary." The rarity of the word in Scripture makes this single occurrence particularly significant for understanding the scale of the messianic hope described in Isaiah 60. The inclusion of such valuable livestock underscores the universal recognition of God's glory.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word beker appears only once in Scripture, yet it carries a weighty promise. In Isaiah 60:6, the prophet describes a future where nations from distant lands bring their wealth to Zion. Among the gold and frankincense are herds of young camels. This image is not just about material riches; it signals that people from every corner of the earth will recognize God's glory and respond with generous offerings.
For your faith, this reminds us that our hope extends far beyond our immediate surroundings. The restoration God promises includes everyone, regardless of their origin. When we see the world turning toward light, even in small ways, it reflects this ancient promise. Your life is part of a larger story where generosity and worship unite diverse peoples.
May you find comfort in knowing that God’s plan embraces all nations. As you go about your day, let this vision of global unity inspire hope. The same God who promised such abundance is faithful to complete what He begins.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] young camels of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִּכְרֵ֤י1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 60:6
A multitude of camels will cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah. All from Sheba will come. They will bring gold and frankincense, and will proclaim the praises of Yahweh.
This verse uniquely uses beker to depict the lavish gifts of distant nations, emphasizing the universal scope of Zion's future restoration.