Topical Bible: Shoulders

◄ Shoulders ►

Jump to: Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical literature, the term "shoulders" often carries significant symbolic and practical meanings, reflecting strength, responsibility, and burden-bearing. The shoulders are frequently mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical and metaphorical concepts.

Symbol of Strength and Authority

The shoulders are often associated with strength and authority. In Isaiah 9:6, the prophecy concerning the coming Messiah states, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders." This passage highlights the Messiah's role in bearing the responsibility of leadership and governance, symbolizing His strength and authority to rule.

Burden-Bearing

The shoulders are also depicted as a place for carrying burdens. In the Old Testament, the Levites were instructed to carry the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders using poles, as described in 1 Chronicles 15:15: "And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD." This act signifies the sacred duty and responsibility placed upon the Levites to bear the holy presence of God.

Symbol of Support and Protection

In the context of support and protection, the shoulders are mentioned in Deuteronomy 33:12, where Moses blesses the tribe of Benjamin: "The beloved of the LORD rests securely in Him; He shields him all day long, and upon His shoulders he rests." This imagery conveys a sense of divine protection and care, with God Himself providing a place of rest and security upon His shoulders.

Metaphor for Responsibility

The shoulders are often used metaphorically to represent the acceptance of responsibility. In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus describes the shepherd who finds the lost sheep and joyfully places it on his shoulders, as recorded in Luke 15:5: "And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders." This act symbolizes the shepherd's willingness to bear the responsibility of caring for and restoring the lost.

Cultural and Ritual Significance

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, carrying loads on the shoulders was a common practice, and this is reflected in various biblical narratives. For instance, in Genesis 21:14, Hagar is sent away by Abraham with provisions placed on her shoulder: "Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar's shoulders, and sent her away with the boy." This practical use of the shoulders underscores their role in daily life and survival.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, the imagery of shoulders serves as a powerful symbol of strength, responsibility, and care. Whether in the context of leadership, burden-bearing, or divine protection, the shoulders represent a place of support and duty, reflecting the broader themes of service and stewardship found in Scripture.

Greek

5606. omos -- the shoulder
... Definition: the shoulder. Word Origin a prim. word Definition the shoulder
NASB Word Usage shoulders (2). shoulder. Perhaps from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5606.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

7926. shekem -- shoulder
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition shoulder NASB Word Usage back (2), portion
(1), shoulder (12), shoulders (7), socket (1). place of burdens. ...
/hebrew/7926.htm - 6k

3802. katheph -- shoulder, shoulder blade, side
... of uncertain derivation Definition shoulder, shoulder blade, side NASB Word Usage
backs (1), flank (1), hands (1), next (1), shoulder (19), shoulders (7), side ...
/hebrew/3802.htm - 6k

Library

We are not Binding Heavy Burdens and Laying them Upon Your ...
... Section 37. We are not binding heavy burdens and laying them upon your
shoulders? 37. We are not binding heavy burdens and laying ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 37 we are not.htm

The Names on Aaron's Breastplate
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS THE NAMES ON AARON'S BREASTPLATE. Aaron shall bear their names
before the Lord, upon his two shoulders, for a memorial.... ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the names on aarons breastplate.htm

A Fish-Story
... I think that fathers and mothers are always allowing their children to
fish over their shoulders, don't you? When they send you ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/a fish-story.htm

Elijah and the Widow's Son.
... in his house at Samaria, when suddenly there appeared before him a wild-looking
man, with long hair and a cape of woolly sheepskin on his shoulders, his rough ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/elijah and the widows son.htm

The Nailing of Jesus to the Cross.
... They crept into the mouths and into the hearts of the assistants, sat upon their
shoulders, filled their minds with wicked images, and incited them to revile ...
/.../chapter xxxviii the nailing of.htm

Jesus Hanging on the Cross Between Two Thieves.
... His chest was torn with stripes and wounds, and his elbows, wrists, and shoulders
so violently distended as to be almost dislocated; blood constantly trickled ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xli jesus hanging on.htm

The Suffering Servant-ii
... Of the two words expressing the Servant's taking their burden on His shoulders,
the former implies not only the taking of it but the bearing of it away, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the suffering servant-ii.htm

The Shepherd of Our Souls.
... And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing[15].".
Observe, my brethren, it is here said that Christ, the ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xvi the shepherd of.htm

Psalm XCI.
... 5. "He shall defend thee between His shoulders, and thou shalt hope under His wings"
(ver.4). He says this, that thy protection may not be to thee from thyself ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xci.htm

Six Cities
... Jesus, our Refuge, bore a guilty world upon His shoulder. The ancients had a fabled
Atlas, who was supposed to carry the earth on his shoulders. ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/ii six cities.htm

Thesaurus

Shoulders (38 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shoulders (38 Occurrences). ... Luke 15:5 When he
has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ...
/s/shoulders.htm - 18k

Shoulder (72 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To take upon the shoulder or shoulders; as, to shoulder a basket; hence,
to assume the burden or responsibility of; as, to shoulder blame; to shoulder ...
/s/shoulder.htm - 37k

Over-against (156 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:25 and the two ends of the two thick bands thou dost put on the two
embroidered things, and thou hast put 'them' on the shoulders of the ephod over ...
/o/over-against.htm - 38k

Shoulder-pieces (9 Occurrences)
Shoulder-pieces. Shoulderpieces, Shoulder-pieces. Shoulders . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (DBY). Shoulderpieces, Shoulder-pieces. Shoulders . Reference Bible
/s/shoulder-pieces.htm - 9k

Ephod (45 Occurrences)
... The two pieces were joined together over the shoulders (hence in Latin called
superhumerale) by clasps or buckles of gold or precious stones, and fastened ...
/e/ephod.htm - 27k

Layeth (76 Occurrences)
... rich toward God. (KJV ASV WBS). Luke 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth
it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (KJV ASV WBS). John 10 ...
/l/layeth.htm - 28k

Embroidered (26 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:25 and the two ends of the two thick bands thou dost put on the two
embroidered things, and thou hast put 'them' on the shoulders of the ephod over ...
/e/embroidered.htm - 14k

Sack (15 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Originally, a loosely hanging garment for women, worn like a cloak about
the shoulders, and serving as a decorative appendage to the gown; now, an ...
/s/sack.htm - 12k

Bars (50 Occurrences)
... midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts,
and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried ...
/b/bars.htm - 22k

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)
... His chief garment is a cloak woven from wool or made from sheepskins. This is
sleeveless, and so made that it hangs like a cloak on his shoulders. ...
/s/shepherd.htm - 42k

Resources

Who was Obed-Edom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? | GotQuestions.org

Why is it important to believe in biblical inerrancy? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Shoulders (38 Occurrences)

Matthew 23:4
For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 15:5
When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 23:26
As soon as they led Him away, they laid hold on one Simon, a Cyrenaean, who was coming in from the country, and on his shoulders they put the cross, for him to carry it behind Jesus.
(WEY)

Genesis 9:23
Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were backwards, and they didn't see their father's nakedness.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 21:14
And Abraham arose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away; and she departed, and strayed in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
(See NIV)

Exodus 12:34
The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 28:7
it hath two shoulders joining at its two ends, and it is joined.
(YLT)

Exodus 28:12
You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before Yahweh on his two shoulders for a memorial.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 28:25
and the two ends of the two thick bands thou dost put on the two embroidered things, and thou hast put 'them' on the shoulders of the ephod over-against its face.
(YLT)

Exodus 28:27
and thou hast made two rings of gold, and hast put them on the two shoulders of the ephod, beneath, over-against its front, over-against its joining, above the girdle of the ephod,
(YLT)

Exodus 39:7
And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 39:18
and the two ends of the two thick bands they have put on the two embroidered things, and they put them on the shoulders of the ephod, over-against its front.
(YLT)

Numbers 7:9
But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the sanctuary belonged to them; they carried it on their shoulders.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NIV)

Deuteronomy 33:12
Of Benjamin he said, "The beloved of Yahweh shall dwell in safety by him. He covers him all the day long. He dwells between his shoulders."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 9:48
And Abimelech got him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder; and he said unto the people that were with him: 'What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.'
(See NIV)

Judges 16:3
Samson lay until midnight, and arose at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 9:2
He had a son, whose name was Saul, an impressive young man; and there was not among the children of Israel a better person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

1 Samuel 10:23
They ran and fetched him there; and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

1 Samuel 17:6
He had brass shin armor on his legs, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

1 Kings 7:30
And four wheels of brass 'are' to the one base, and axles of brass; and its four corners have shoulders -- under the laver 'are' the molten shoulders, beside each addition.
(YLT)

1 Kings 7:34
And four shoulders 'are' unto the four corners of the one base; out of the base 'are' its shoulders.
(YLT)

2 Kings 6:31
Then he said, "God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stay on him this day."
(See RSV NIV)

2 Kings 9:24
Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and struck Joram between his arms; and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
(See RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 15:15
The children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 35:3
He said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to Yahweh, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; there shall no more be a burden on your shoulders: now serve Yahweh your God, and his people Israel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 3:5
Next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles didn't put their necks to the work of their lord.
(See NIV)

Psalms 81:6
'I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the basket.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 9:4
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, Thou hast broken as in the day of Midian.
(See NAS NIV)

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Isaiah 10:27
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall depart from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed by reason of fatness.
(See NAS NIV)

Isaiah 11:14
They will fly down on the shoulders of the Philistines on the west. Together they will plunder the children of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon will obey them.
(WEB KJV WBS)

Isaiah 14:25
that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and tread him under foot on my mountains. Then his yoke will leave them, and his burden leave their shoulders.
(WEB KJV DBY WBS NIV)

Isaiah 30:6
The burden of the animals of the South. Through the land of trouble and anguish, of the lioness and the lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they carry their riches on the shoulders of young donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to an unprofitable people.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Isaiah 46:7
He is borne upon the shoulder, he is carried, and set in his place, and he standeth, from his place he doth not remove; yea, though one cry unto him, he cannot answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
(See RSV NIV)

Isaiah 49:22
Thus says the Lord Yahweh, "Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and set up my banner to the peoples; and they shall bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 12:6
In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel.
(KJV WBS)

Ezekiel 12:7
And I do so, as I have been commanded; my vessels I have brought forth as vessels of removal by day, and at even I have dug for me through the wall with the hand; in the darkness I have brought forth, on the shoulder I have borne away, before their eyes.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 29:7
When they took hold of you by your hand, you broke, and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke, and paralyzed all of their thighs."
(WEB JPS ASV RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Shoulders

Related Terms

Misfortune (24 Occurrences)

Contend (56 Occurrences)

Overmuch (16 Occurrences)

Demand (34 Occurrences)

Crossway (2 Occurrences)

Tarry (62 Occurrences)

Shine (62 Occurrences)

Thyself (352 Occurrences)

Wouldest (66 Occurrences)