Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5125 Parts of the body and clothing » 5127 back As the part of the body used for bearing loads it is used both literally and metaphorically. The human back used for carrying Jesus Christ carried his cross on his back John 19:17 See also Matthew 27:32 pp Mark 15:21 pp Luke 23:26 The shape of the cross necessitated it being carried across the shoulders and back. It appears that Jesus Christ started to carry his own cross but Simon of Cyrene took over as Christ weakened. Weapons carried on the back Animals carry people and goods on their backs Isaiah 30:6 See also Exodus 15:1,21; 2 Samuel 13:29; Samuel 16:1-2; Samuel 18:9; Samuel 19:26; 2 Kings 18:23 pp Isaiah 36:8; Isaiah 21:7; Isaiah 30:16; Jeremiah 6:23; Haggai 2:22; Revelation 9:17 Riding on the backs of animals may indicate royalty or privilege Zechariah 9:9 See also 1 Kings 1:33,38,44 Nobility and wealth: Judges 5:10; Judges 10:4; Judges 12:14 Authority: Revelation 6:1-8; Revelation 19:11-21 Jesus Christ mounted a donkey for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem Matthew 21:7-9 pp Mark 11:7-11 pp Luke 19:35-38 See also John 12:13-15 Carrying a burden on the back represents bearing suffering and trials Psalm 66:11 See also Psalm 38:4; Ecclesiastes 1:13; Ecclesiastes 3:10; Matthew 11:28-30 Injury to the back Judges 3:22; 2 Samuel 2:23; Job 20:24-25 Pain in the back causing anguish The back endures punishment Bending of the back indicates loss of physical strength Psalm 69:23 See also Romans 11:10 Beating on the back is a punishment Proverbs 10:13; Proverbs 14:3; Proverbs 19:29; Proverbs 26:3 Beating on the back may be an unjust punishment for God's servants Isaiah 50:6 See also Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 21:35 pp Mark 12:3 pp Luke 20:11 The servants in the parable represent the OT prophets. Jesus Christ endured flogging Matthew 27:26 pp Mark 15:15 pp John 19:1 Jesus Christ becomes the suffering servant of Isaiah's prophecies. The apostles endured flogging 2 Corinthians 11:23-25 See also Acts 5:40; Acts 16:22-23,37; Acts 21:32; 2 Corinthians 6:5,9 Jesus Christ's disciples should expect similar flogging Matthew 10:17 See also Matthew 23:34; Mark 13:9 Whipping on the back used figuratively in a warning Walking over the back used figuratively to indicate defeat Turning one's back means desertion God makes the enemies of his people flee Exodus 23:27 See also 2 Samuel 22:41 pp Psalm 18:40; Psalm 21:12 Israel flees from her enemies God's people desert him Nehemiah 9:29 “To turn one's back”, in these verses and the following verses, also implies a lack of respect and reverence for God and his ways. See also 2 Chronicles 29:6; Isaiah 1:4; Isaiah 59:12-13; Jeremiah 2:27; Jeremiah 32:33-34; Ezekiel 8:16 God's people desert his instruction Thrusting behind one's back means discarding Isaiah 38:17 God forgives sins, putting them out of sight ; Ezekiel 23:35 See also 1 Kings 14:9; Nehemiah 9:26 God turns his back in his grace Exodus 33:22-23 To see God's face would bring death. God turns his back against disobedient people See also
1055 God, grace & mercy |
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