Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5125 Parts of the body and clothing » 5140 breasts On a woman, the bosom; on a man the upper part of the chest. Female breasts are primarily referred to as a means of feeding young and as a figurative description of Israel and God as nursing mothers. Beating of the breast is a sign of remorse. The breast is protected in physical and spiritual warfare. Breasts as a symbol of fertility Breasts as the means of feeding young See also 1 Samuel 1:23 until they are weaned; 1 Kings 3:20; Job 3:12; Psalm 22:9; Songs 8:1; Joel 2:16; Luke 11:27 “Nursing” includes breast-feeding. Nursing mothers and their children experience acute distress Luke 23:29 See also Job 24:9; Matthew 24:19 pp Mark 13:17 pp Luke 21:23 The implication is that children nursing at their mothers' breasts are completely vulnerable and defenceless. Other creatures breast-feed their young Female breasts are attractive Songs 8:10 See also Proverbs 5:19; Songs 4:5; Songs 7:3,7-8 Breasts are a source of temptation Undeveloped breasts are a sign of youth The figurative breasts of Israel Jerusalem as a breasted woman Jerusalem as a nursing mother Jerusalem as a prostitute Ezekiel 23:3 The two sisters are Samaria and Jerusalem. See also Ezekiel 23:8,21; Hosea 2:2 Gomer's unfaithfulness is likened to that of Israel. Dry breasts are a sign of God's punishment God's care exceeds that of nursing mothers Isaiah 49:15 See also Isaiah 49:23; Isaiah 60:16 The Gentiles will be used by God to provide nursing for Israel. Beating of breasts As a sign of grief Nahum 2:7 See also Isaiah 32:12-13; Ezekiel 21:12; Ezekiel 23:34; Luke 23:48 As a sign of contrition Luke 18:13 See also Jeremiah 31:19 Protection of the breast The high priest's breastpiece Exodus 25:7; Exodus 28:15-30; Exodus 29:5; Exodus 35:9,27; Exodus 39:8-21; Leviticus 8:8 Breastplates worn for protection in confrontations Figurative breastplates as spiritual armour Ephesians 6:14 See also Isaiah 59:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Animal breasts used in sacrificial offerings Exodus 29:26-27; Leviticus 7:30-31; Leviticus 8:29; Leviticus 9:20-21; Leviticus 10:14-15; Numbers 6:20; Numbers 18:18 See also
1215 God, feminine descriptions |
  |