Semantics of “camel” as follows…
“Andagain I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of aneedle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Matthew. 19:24.
The Aramaic word gamla means camel, a large rope and a beam.The meaning of the word is determined by its context, If the word riding orburden occurs then gamla means a camel, but when the eye of aneedle is mentioned gamla more correctly means a rope, Thereis no connection anywhere in Aramaic speech or literature between camel andneedle, but there is a definite connection between rope and needle. Easternwomen when purchasing thread often say, “It is a rope, I cannot use it,” whichmeans it is too thick. Then again, there are ropes in every Eastern home, usedto tie up burdens on the backs of men and of animals. When not used, the ropeis hung on the wall or laid in a corner of the house.
The discussion about the rich man probably took place in the house. Jesuspointed to the rope in the house to illustrate what he was saying in condemningthe greed of Eastern rich men, who had acquired their wealth unjustly. He said,“It is easier for a rope to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich manto enter into the kingdom of God.” Then again there are different kinds ofneedles in use in the East: the tiny needle for fine embroidery, the commonneedle for sewing which is larger, and the big needle about five or seveninches long, which working men often carry fastened to their garments orattached to the rope. A good sized cord could easily be passed through thisneedle, which is used chiefly for sewing large bags, rugs and tents woven ofgoat’s hair.
Biblical students have suggested that when Jesus referred to “needle eye” hemeant the little gate on the wall. As there is no such gate in any orientalcity called “needle eye” where camels could pass through, this interpretationis incorrect. Some of the ancient walled cities in the east still remain thesame as in the ancient days. They have several large entrances at various partsof the wall known as “gates.” Men, camels , and all animals enter and leavethrough them. They are the only possible place a camel could enter. The Gospelsays nothing of such a gate and plainly refers to the eye of a needle. Dadlillgamla lmeal bakhrora damgata au atira dneaol lmacootha dalaha means“It is easier for a rope to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich manto enter into the kingdom of God.”
The word gamla is also used in Matthew 23:24, but here it means camel becauseJesus was talking about baka, gnat, and contrasting it with camel.In this case, both objects were alive and the hyperbole was justified, as itwould not have been in Matthew. 19:24 whichwould have made no sense. Everybody in the Orient knows that a camel couldnever pass through a needle’s eye, but that a rope might at least be forcedthrough the eye of a large needle.
Such expressions as rope and needle, camel and gnat, are common in Easternusage, but the comparison or contrast must have some connection, otherwise theillustration would be meaningless. The repetition of some Aramaic words inwidely different contexts is largely due to a limited vocabulary. Aramaic is anancient language, and the Gospels were written at a time when languages did notrequire a large vocabulary and new ideas were not prevalent. The art of writingwas practically recent and printing was invented in Europe fourteen centurieslater. Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25.
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