Camel or Rope? Matt: 19:24

[Paul Younan]

Akhay, let's put this old argument to rest. Here's the cover page from the 1st volume of bar-Bahlul's Lexicon (Alap-Lamed):



Here is the relevant entry under "Gamla":



Did you read that Akhan Dave:

"Gamla is a thick rope (Aramaic "Khawla", Hebrew "Khevel") which is used to bind ships.", and he is quoting from previous lexicographers (such as Moshe bar-Kepha) who also explain how this very same thick rope was also used to tie heavy beams together. bar-Bahlul in the same entry goes on to explain that the rope that ties the beams and sides of wooden bridges is also called "Gamla."

For those who are unaware, bar-Bahlul's Lexicon is the standard Lexicon and an immense work by, arguably, history's greatest Aramaic scholar. Much of what we know about Aramaic is attributed to his work, which is quoted by nearly every book on the topic, and in the most eminent peer-reviewed journals.

bar-Bahlul was a Church of the East bishop. He entered eternal rest in 963 A.D.

The repetition of some Aramaic words in widely different contexts is largely due to a limited vocabulary.

Actually in this case there was a reason for the dual usage, since the undercoat of camels was fashioned into rope after they shed their winter coats.

See:

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+Shamasha Paul