Dictionary of Bible Themes As the part of the body used for bearing loads it is used both literally and metaphorically. John 19:17The human back used for carrying See also Jesus Christ carried his cross on his back Matthew 27:32pp Mk 15:21 pp Lk 23:26 1 Samuel 17:6The 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 Isaiah 30:6Animals carry people and goods on their backs See also Exodus 15:1,212 Samuel 13:29; 16:1-2; 18:9; 19:26 2 Kings 18:23 Isaiah 21:7; 30:16 Jeremiah 6:23 pp Isa 36:8 Haggai 2:22Revelation 9:17 Zechariah 9:9 See also Riding on the backs of animals may indicate royalty or privilege 1 Kings 1:33,38,44Judges 5:10; 10:4; 12:14 Nobility and wealth: Revelation 6:1-8; 19:11-21Authority: Matthew 21:7-9Jesus Christ mounted a donkey for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem See also pp Mk 11:7-11 John 12:13-15pp Lk 19:35-38 Psalms 66:11Carrying a burden on the back represents bearing suffering and trials See also Psalms 38:4Ecclesiastes 1:13; 3:10 Matthew 11:28-30 Judges 3:22 Injury to the back 2 Samuel 2:23Job 20:24-25 Psalms 38:7 Pain in the back causing anguish Psalms 69:23The back endures punishment See also Bending of the back indicates loss of physical strength Romans 11:10Proverbs 10:13; 14:3; 19:29; 26:3 Beating on the back is a punishment Isaiah 50:6See also Beating on the back may be an unjust punishment for God's servants Isaiah 53:4-5Matthew 21:35 pp Mk 12:3 pp Lk 20:11 Matthew 27:26The servants in the parable represent the OT prophets. Jesus Christ endured flogging pp Mk 15:15 pp Jn 19:1 2 Corinthians 11:23-25Jesus Christ becomes the suffering servant of Isaiah's prophecies. See also The apostles endured flogging Acts 5:40; 16:22-23,37; 21:322 Corinthians 6:5,9 Matthew 10:17 See also Jesus Christ's disciples should expect similar flogging Matthew 23:34Mark 13:9 Joshua 23:12-13 Whipping on the back used figuratively in a warning Isaiah 51:23Walking over the back used figuratively to indicate defeat Exodus 23:27Turning one's back means desertion See also God makes the enemies of his people flee 2 Samuel 22:41Psalms 21:12 pp Ps 18:40 Joshua 7:12Israel flees from her enemies Nehemiah 9:29God's people desert him See also 2 Chronicles 29:6"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. Isaiah 1:4; 59:12-13Jeremiah 2:27; 32:33-34 Ezekiel 8:16 Zechariah 7:11 2 Peter 2:21 God's people desert his instruction Isaiah 38:17Thrusting behind one's back means discarding Ezekiel 23:35See also God forgives sins, putting them out of sight 1 Kings 14:9Nehemiah 9:26 Exodus 33:22-23 God turns his back in his grace To see God's face would bring death. Jeremiah 18:17God turns his back against disobedient people See also 1055 God, grace & mercy1065 God, holiness of 1075 God, justice of 1210 God, human descriptions 1260 finger of God 2230 Messiah, coming of 2366 Christ, prophecies concerning 2570 Christ, suffering 4636 dove 4660 insects 5313 flogging 8794 persecution |
    |