This name answers to two words in the original, בכר, and
feminine בכרה, Isa. lx, 6; Jer. ii, 24; and אחשתרנים, Esther viii, 10,
“young dromedaries;” probably the name in Persian. The dromedary is a
race of camels chiefly remarkable for its prodigious swiftness. The most
observable difference between it and the camel is, that it has but one
protuberance on the back; and instead of the slow solemn walk to which
that animal is accustomed, it will go as far in one day as the camel in
three. For this reason it is used to carry messengers where haste is
required. The animal is governed by a bridle, which, being usually
fastened to a ring fixed in the nose, may very well illustrate the
expression, 2 Kings xix, 28, of turning back Sennacherib by putting a
hook into his nose; and may farther indicate his swift retreat.
feminine בכרה, Isa. lx, 6; Jer. ii, 24; and אחשתרנים, Esther viii, 10,
“young dromedaries;” probably the name in Persian. The dromedary is a
race of camels chiefly remarkable for its prodigious swiftness. The most
observable difference between it and the camel is, that it has but one
protuberance on the back; and instead of the slow solemn walk to which
that animal is accustomed, it will go as far in one day as the camel in
three. For this reason it is used to carry messengers where haste is
required. The animal is governed by a bridle, which, being usually
fastened to a ring fixed in the nose, may very well illustrate the
expression, 2 Kings xix, 28, of turning back Sennacherib by putting a
hook into his nose; and may farther indicate his swift retreat.