Original Word: כַּרְכָּרָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: karkarah
Pronunciation: keer-kaw-RAW
Phonetic Spelling: (kar-kaw-raw')
KJV: swift beast
NASB: camels
Word Origin: [from H3769 (כָּרַר - dancing)]

1. a dromedary (from its rapid motion as if dancing)

swift beast

From karar; a dromedary (from its rapid motion as if dancing) -- swift beast.

see HEBREW karar

Word Origin
from karar
Definition
dromedary
NASB Translation
camels (1).

[כִּרְכָּרָה] noun feminine dromedary (according to Ki Thes; perhaps from constantly repeated undulating movement); — only plural absolute וּבַכִּרְכָּרוֺת Isaiah 66:20 (+ בַּסּוּסִים וּבָרֶכֶב וּבַצַּבִּים וּבַמְּרָדִים; the whole list is a gloss according to Du Che^{Intr Is}.).

Entry: כַּרְכָּרָה – Carriage, Covered Wagon, Litter

Biblical Placement

The word appears once, in Isaiah 66:20, within the sweeping finale of the prophecy:

“And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the Lord on horses and chariots, on litters and on mules, and on dromedaries, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord.”

Here כַּרְכָּרָה designates one of several conveyances employed in a grand, multinational procession toward Jerusalem.

Ancient Near Eastern Transportation

Archaeology and reliefs from Egypt, Assyria, and Persia reveal covered conveyances borne by draft animals or carried by bearers. These vehicles shielded passengers from weather and public gaze, while facilitating long overland journeys. In Israel such equipment would have been rare, symbolizing dignity, wealth, and careful protection of valuable persons or cargo.

Cultic and Processional Use

Isaiah’s vision reaches its climax in a scene that mirrors earlier sacred transports. When the Tabernacle was moved, ox-drawn wagons bore the heaviest portions (Numbers 7:3–8). David organized singers, gatekeepers, and musicians with “instruments of the song of God” (1 Chronicles 26:6) to accompany the ark’s entry. כַּרְכָּרָה stands in this tradition: not simply a means of travel, but a mobile platform for worship and offering.

Eschatological Significance

Isaiah 66 depicts the final ingathering after the new heavens and new earth are announced (Isaiah 66:22). The carriage, next to horses, chariots, mules, and swift beasts, illustrates the total mobilization of the nations in service to the covenant God. Diverse modes of transport signal that nothing will impede the return of the redeemed or the presentation of their offerings. The imagery anticipates Revelation 21:24, where “the nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.”

Gentile Inclusion and Reversal of Exile

Earlier prophets lamented that Judah’s sons and daughters were hauled away in foreign wagons (Joel 3:6). Isaiah inverts that sorrow: now foreign conveyances bring Israel’s dispersed family home. כַּרְכָּרָה thus becomes a token of restored fortunes and of Gentile peoples gladly sharing the logistics of Israel’s redemption.

Typological Echoes

1. Exodus renewal: As wagons bore the tabernacle, so future carriages will bear living stones (1 Peter 2:5) into the greater Sanctuary.
2. Messianic kingship: The sight of a regal coach evokes Zechariah 9:9, where the King arrives “humble and riding on a donkey.” Both humble mount and splendid carriage serve one purpose: conveying God’s chosen toward His throne and people.

Ministry and Missional Applications

• Isaiah’s carriage encourages creative deployment of modern vehicles—planes, buses, media platforms—for the gathering of worshipers.
• The varied conveyances underscore the unity of purpose amid cultural diversity, guiding church missions to respect local customs while pointing all peoples to one holy mountain.
• The protected, covered nature of כַּרְכָּרָה speaks to pastoral care: the congregation does not merely send converts on their way but ensures safe passage, discipling them until they stand before the Lord.

Related Scriptural Imagery

Numbers 7:3–8 wagons for sacred cargo

2 Samuel 6:3 a new cart for the ark

Isaiah 18:7 gifts brought to Zion

Haggai 2:7 treasures of nations filling the temple

Revelation 21:24–26 kings bringing glory into the New Jerusalem

Summary

Though appearing only once, כַּרְכָּרָה carries rich theological weight. It portrays an international, worship-filled pilgrimage, highlighting God’s faithfulness, the honor given to His people, and the unstoppable advance of His kingdom.

וּבַכִּרְכָּר֗וֹת ובכרכרות ū·ḇak·kir·kā·rō·wṯ ūḇakkirkārōwṯ uvakkirkaRotInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts