Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical literature and theology, the term "appendage" is not directly mentioned in the Scriptures. However, the concept can be explored through related themes and passages that discuss parts of the body, their functions, and their symbolic meanings within the biblical narrative.
Biblical References to Body PartsThe Bible frequently uses body parts metaphorically to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons. For instance, in
1 Corinthians 12:12-27, the Apostle Paul uses the human body as an analogy for the Church, emphasizing the importance of each member and their unique role. He writes, "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ" (
1 Corinthians 12:12). Here, the concept of appendages can be understood as the various members of the body of Christ, each contributing to the whole.
Symbolism of Hands and FeetHands and feet are often highlighted in Scripture as appendages with significant symbolic meaning. Hands are frequently associated with action, power, and blessing. For example, in
Genesis 48:14, Jacob crosses his hands to bless Ephraim and Manasseh, signifying the transfer of blessing and authority. Similarly, feet are often symbolic of one's path or journey.
Psalm 119:105 states, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" , illustrating guidance and direction provided by God's Word.
The Role of Appendages in Sacrificial PracticesIn the Old Testament, specific instructions are given regarding the use of appendages in sacrificial rituals.
Leviticus 8:23-24 describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons, where blood from the sacrifice is applied to the right ear, thumb, and big toe. This act symbolizes the sanctification of hearing, work, and walk in service to God.
Metaphorical Use in Wisdom LiteratureThe Book of Proverbs often uses body parts metaphorically to impart wisdom.
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists things the Lord hates, including "hands that shed innocent blood" and "feet that are swift in running to evil" . These appendages represent actions and behaviors that are contrary to God's will.
New Testament Teachings on the BodyIn the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of spiritual integrity over physical appendages. In
Matthew 5:29-30, He teaches, "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away... And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away" . This hyperbolic language underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for radical measures to maintain spiritual purity.
ConclusionWhile the term "appendage" itself is not explicitly found in the Bible, the concept is richly illustrated through the metaphorical use of body parts. These references serve to communicate deeper spiritual truths about the nature of the Church, the importance of individual roles within the body of Christ, and the moral and ethical teachings of Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Something appended to, or accompanying, a principal or greater thing, though not necessary to it, as a portico to a house.
2. (n.) A subordinate or subsidiary part or organ; an external organ or limb, esp. of the articulates.
Strong's Hebrew
1694. debeq -- a joining, soldering,appendage... 1693, 1694. debeq. 1695 . a joining, soldering,
appendage. Transliteration:
debeq Phonetic Spelling: (deh'-bek) Short Definition: joint.
...3508. yothereth --appendage
... 3507, 3508. yothereth. 3509 .appendage. Transliteration: yothereth Phonetic
Spelling: (yo-theh'-reth) Short Definition: lobe. Word...
4174. morad -- a descent, slope
... going down, steep place, thin work. From yarad; a descent; as architecture, an
ornamentalappendage, perhaps a festoon -- going down, steep place, thin work....
Library
On the Study of Zoology.
... so that, in each of these divisions of the tail, I find parts which correspond with
one another, a ring and two appendages; and in eachappendage a stalk and...
The Family Bible.
... It is an indispensableappendage to home.... Its golden clasps and beautiful
binding make it an attractiveappendage to the parlor....
Letter xiii. --To the Church at Nicomedia .
... [2209] The shadow may be considered as an accidentalappendage to the body, inasmuch
as it does not always appear, but only when there is some light, eg of the...
Galilee
... animism which for their ancestors had been a living religion, but for them had become
aesthetic, conventional, and superstitious,"anappendage to life, not...
The Critical and Historical Movement
... other men, finding their satisfying activity within the sphere which was thus separated
from God, came to think of this absentee God as anappendage to the...
Changed Conditions
... Should he make an effort to do so, the soldiers guarding the gates speedily
removed theappendage with a pair of large scissors....
The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
... so attached to the Mosaic ritual, that they wished to continue it, and graft
Christianity upon it, rendering the religion of Christ only anappendage to that...
Plato's Inconsistency He Supposes the Soul Self-Existent, yet...
... We, however, who allow noappendage to God [1665] (in the sense of equality), by
this very fact reckon the soul as very far below God: for we suppose it to be...
"But the Nature of Man," it is Said, "Is Narrow and Circumscribed....
... the regions that are beneath the earth; and often it is occupied in the scrutiny
of the wonders of heaven, and feels no weight from theappendage [1973] of the...
Julian, on his Settlement in the Empire, Began Quietly to Stir up...
... The emperor himself sat as judge, and decided in favor of Gaza, and commanded that
Constantia should be anappendage to that city, although it was situated at...
Thesaurus
Appendage (11 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) A subordinate or subsidiary part or organ; an external organ or limb, esp.
of the articulates. Multi-Version Concordance
Appendage (11 Occurrences).
...Fringe (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An ornamentalappendage to the border of a piece of stuff, originally
consisting of the ends of the warp, projecting beyond the woven fabric; but more...
Hood
... head; a cowl. 5. (n.) A likeappendage to a cloak or loose overcoat, that
may be drawn up over the head at pleasure. 6. (n.) An...
Appeaseth (5 Occurrences)
Housing (2 Occurrences)
... See Houseline. 10. (n.) A cover or cloth for a horse's saddle, as an ornamental
or militaryappendage; a saddlecloth; a horse cloth; in plural, trappings. 11....
Vampire
... chiefly during sleep. They have a caecalappendage to the stomach, in which
the blood with which they gorge themselves is stored. 4. (n...
Onset (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A setting about; a beginning. 3. (n.) Anything set on, or added, as an ornament
or as a usefulappendage. 4. (vt) To assault; to set upon....
Winged (69 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Wounded or hurt in the wing. 6. (a.) Furnished with a leaflikeappendage,
as the fruit of the elm and the ash, or the stem in certain plants....
Wreath (21 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A garland; a chaplet, esp. one given to a victor. 3. (n.) Anappendage to
the shield, placed above it, and supporting the crest (see Illust. of Crest)....
With (66342 Occurrences)
... 9. (prep.) To denote having as a possession or anappendage; as, the firmament with
its stars; a bride with a large fortune. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Resources
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