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
