| Noah Webster's 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. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CARAVAN kar'-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, in Job 6:18, 19 ('orchoth), where the King James Version renders "paths" (Job 6:18) and "troops" (Job 6:19); in Isaiah 21:13 ('orechoth), where the King James Version and English Versions of the Bible give "travelling companies," and in Ezekiel 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 also Genesis 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 |  | Multi-Version Concordance Caravan (8 Occurrences) Luke 2:44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. (See NAS) Genesis 37:25 They sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing spices and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV) Judges 8:11 And Gideon went up by the caravan route east of Nobah and Jog'behah, and attacked the army; for the army was off its guard. (DBY RSV) 1 Kings 10:2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she was come to Solomon, she talked with him of all that was in her heart. (See NIV) 1 Kings 10:28 And the exportation of horses that Solomon had was from Egypt: a caravan of the king's merchants fetched a drove of horses, at a price. (DBY) 2 Chronicles 1:16 And the exportation of horses that Solomon had was from Egypt: a caravan of the king's merchants fetched a drove of horses, at a price. (DBY) 2 Chronicles 9:1 When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great train, and camels that bore spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she talked with him of all that was in her heart. (See NIV) Isaiah 60:6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah. (See JPS) |
