5137 bones
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5125 Parts of the body and clothing  »  5137 bones

Associated in Hebrew thought with both death and life. A symbol of the whole person, and also the state of one's well-being.

Bones represent dead bodies

Human remains to be treated with respect

1 Samuel 31:13 pp 1 Chronicles 10:12 See also 2 Samuel 21:12-14; 1 Kings 13:31; 2 Kings 23:18; Ezekiel 39:15

Non-burial as a sign of disrespect

Amos 2:1-2

Non-burial as a sign of God's judgment

Psalm 53:5 See also 2 Kings 9:34-37; Psalm 141:7; Jeremiah 8:1-2; Ezekiel 24:4-5,10

Bones were considered to be unclean

Bones made anyone who touched them unclean

Numbers 19:16 See also Numbers 19:18; Matthew 23:27

Bones used to desecrate objects of pagan worship

2 Kings 23:14 See also 1 Kings 13:2; 2 Kings 23:16,20; 2 Chronicles 34:5; Ezekiel 6:5

Bones as a sign of hope

The hope of God's promise

Genesis 50:25 See also Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32; Hebrews 11:22 The presence of Joseph's bones among the Israelites was a constant reminder of God's promise to Joseph concerning the promised land.

The hope of life after death

Ezekiel 37:1-14 See also 2 Kings 13:21

The hope of the Passover lamb

John 19:36 See also Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20 Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of the unbroken bones of the Passover lamb.

Bones represent living individuals

Bones indicate a living body

Luke 24:39

Bones represent a whole person

Psalm 35:10 “My whole being” is literally “my bones”. See also Job 2:4-5; Job 10:11; Psalm 6:2; Psalm 51:7-8; Isaiah 66:14

Bones represent kinship

Genesis 2:23

“flesh and blood” in these passages is literally “bone and flesh”:

Genesis 29:14; Judges 9:2; 2 Samuel 5:1 pp 1 Chronicles 11:1; 2 Samuel 19:12-13

Bones represent physical health

Bones associated with good health

Proverbs 15:30 See also Proverbs 3:7-8; Proverbs 16:24

Bones symbolise strength and vigour

Job 21:23-24 See also Job 20:11; Job 40:18; Proverbs 25:15

Bones associated with God's protection

Psalm 34:19-20 See also John 19:36

Mere skin and bone represents bad health

Job 19:20 See also Job 33:21; Psalm 102:5; Lamentations 4:8

Broken bones symbolise defeat or oppression

Numbers 24:8 See also Isaiah 38:13; Jeremiah 50:17; Lamentations 3:4; Daniel 6:24; Micah 3:2-3

Health can be damaged by negative attitudes

Proverbs 14:30 See also Job 4:14; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 17:22; Habakkuk 3:16

Health can be damaged by sin

Psalm 38:3 See also Psalm 32:3; Psalm 109:18; Lamentations 1:13

Repentance brings restoration

Psalm 6:2 See also Psalm 51:18

Health can be damaged through obedience to God's will

Jeremiah 23:9 See also Job 30:17; Job 33:19; Psalm 22:14,17; Psalm 31:10; Psalm 42:10; Jeremiah 20:9

See also

1670  symbols
5241  burial
5297  disease
5334  health
5560  suffering
6020  sin
6732  repentance
8230  discipline
9030  dead bodies
9210  judgment, God's
9610  hope



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