Dictionary of Bible Themes Associated in Hebrew thought with both death and life. A symbol of the whole person, and also the state of one's well-being. 1 Samuel 31:13Bones represent dead bodies Human remains to be treated with respect See also 2 Samuel 21:12-14pp 1Ch 10:12 1 Kings 13:312 Kings 23:18 Ezekiel 39:15 Amos 2:1-2 Non-burial as a sign of disrespect Psalms 53:5See also Non-burial as a sign of God's judgment 2 Kings 9:34-37Psalms 141:7 Jeremiah 8:1-2 Ezekiel 24:4-5,10 Numbers 19:16 Bones were considered to be unclean See also Bones made anyone who touched them unclean Numbers 19:18Matthew 23:27 2 Kings 23:14 See also Bones used to desecrate objects of pagan worship 1 Kings 13:22 Kings 23:16,20 2 Chronicles 34:5 Ezekiel 6:5 Genesis 50:25 Bones as a sign of hope See also The hope of God's promise Exodus 13:19Joshua 24:32 Hebrews 11:22 Ezekiel 37:1-14 The presence of Joseph's bones among the Israelites was a constant reminder of God's promise to Joseph concerning the promised land. See also The hope of life after death 2 Kings 13:21John 19:36 See also The hope of the Passover lamb Exodus 12:46Numbers 9:12 Psalms 34:20 Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of the unbroken bones of the Passover lamb. Luke 24:39Bones represent living individuals Bones indicate a living body Psalms 35:10Bones represent a whole person See also Job 2:4-5; 10:11"My whole being" is literally "my bones". Psalms 6:2; 51:7-8Isaiah 66:14 Genesis 2:23 Bones represent kinship Genesis 29:14Judges 9:2 "flesh and blood" in these passages is literally "bone and flesh": 2 Samuel 5:12 Samuel 19:12-13 pp 1Ch 11:1 Proverbs 15:30Bones represent physical health See also Bones associated with good health Proverbs 3:7-8; 16:24Job 21:23-24 See also Bones symbolise strength and vigour Job 20:11; 40:18Proverbs 25:15 Psalms 34:19-20 See also Bones associated with God's protection John 19:36Job 19:20 See also Mere skin and bone represents bad health Job 33:21Psalms 102:5 Lamentations 4:8 Numbers 24:8 See also Broken bones symbolise defeat or oppression Isaiah 38:13Jeremiah 50:17 Lamentations 3:4 Daniel 6:24 Micah 3:2-3 Proverbs 14:30 See also Health can be damaged by negative attitudes Job 4:14Proverbs 12:4; 17:22 Habakkuk 3:16 Psalms 38:3 See also Health can be damaged by sin Psalms 32:3; 109:18Lamentations 1:13 Psalms 6:2 See also Repentance brings restoration Psalms 51:18Jeremiah 23:9 See also Health can be damaged through obedience to God's will Job 30:17; 33:19Psalms 22:14,17; 31:10; 42:10 Jeremiah 20:9 See also 1670 symbols5241 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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