In Parashat Chayei Sara, the camel takes center stage in the story of Avraham’s servant, Eliezer, being sent to find a wife for Yitzchak. Eliezer embarks on his journey with ten of his master's camels, loaded with gifts. When he reaches his destination, Rivka's act of kindness—offering to draw water not only for Eliezer but also for all his camels—serves as a sign that she is the right match for Yitzchak.

The English word "camel" derives from the Latin "camelus," which in turn comes from the Greek "kamēlos" (κάμηλος). Both of these ancient words can be traced back to the Hebrew word "גמל" ("gamal") found in Parashat Chayei Sara.

Camels also appear in modern idiomatic expressions and sayings e.g. "the straw that broke the camel’s back" and “A camel is just a horse designed by a committee”.

Interestingly, the third letter of the Alef-Bet, "ג" (gimmel), resembles a camel and might owe its name to this association. This connection carries over to the Greek alphabet, where the third letter is called "gamma."