Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, breasts are mentioned in various contexts, often symbolizing nourishment, beauty, and fertility. They are referenced in both literal and metaphorical senses, reflecting the cultural and theological significance attributed to them in biblical times.
Nourishment and MotherhoodBreasts are primarily associated with nourishment and motherhood. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the ability to nurse children was a vital aspect of a woman's role. This is reflected in passages such as
Isaiah 66:11, which speaks of the comfort and satisfaction derived from a mother's breasts: "so that you may nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her glorious abundance." Here, breasts symbolize the nurturing and life-sustaining role of a mother, providing both physical sustenance and emotional comfort.
Symbol of Beauty and LoveBreasts are also depicted as symbols of beauty and love, particularly in the poetic and romantic literature of the Bible. The Song of Solomon, a book celebrating marital love, frequently mentions breasts in this context. For example,
Song of Solomon 4:5 states, "Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle grazing among the lilies." This imagery highlights the beauty and allure of the beloved, using natural and pastoral metaphors to convey admiration and affection.
Fertility and BlessingIn biblical times, fertility was highly valued, and breasts were often seen as a symbol of a woman's ability to bear and nurture children.
Genesis 49:25 speaks of blessings of the "breast and womb," linking the two as sources of life and prosperity. This connection underscores the importance of fertility and the continuation of family lineage in the biblical narrative.
Metaphorical UsageBreasts are also used metaphorically in the Bible to convey spiritual truths or societal observations. In
Ezekiel 23, the prophet uses the imagery of breasts to describe the unfaithfulness of Jerusalem and Samaria, portraying their idolatry and infidelity in stark terms. This metaphor serves to communicate the depth of their spiritual betrayal and the consequences of turning away from God.
Cultural and Theological ImplicationsThe biblical references to breasts reflect broader cultural and theological themes, such as the sanctity of marriage, the importance of family, and the nurturing nature of God's love. In a patriarchal society, these references also highlight the roles and expectations placed upon women, both as mothers and as objects of beauty and desire.
Overall, the biblical portrayal of breasts encompasses a range of meanings, from the practical and physical to the symbolic and spiritual, illustrating their multifaceted significance in the biblical worldview.
Greek
2338. thelus -- female... 2338 (from , "the breast") -- properly, a woman with nursing
breasts ("one who gives
suck"); (figuratively) a mature female who exhibit "," glorifying God by
...3149. mastos -- the breast
... breast, pap. Word Origin der. from a prim. root ma- Definition the breast
NASB Word Usagebreasts (2), chest (1). pap. From the...
4738. stethos -- the breast
... chest. Word Origin a prim. word Definition the breast NASB Word Usage bosom
(2), breast (1),breasts (1), chests (1). breast. From...
Strong's Hebrew
7699a. shad -- (female) breast... 7699, 7699a. shad. 7699b . (female) breast. Transliteration: shad Short
Definition:
breasts. Word Origin from an unused word Definition
...7699b. shod -- (female) breast
... Word Origin from the same as shad Definition (female) breast NASB Word Usage breast
(2),breasts (1). 7699a, 7699b. shod. 7700 . Strong's Numbers.
5594. saphad -- to wail, lament
... A primitive root; properly, to tear the hair and beat thebreasts (as Orientals
do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail -- lament, mourn(-er...
7015. qinah -- an elegy, dirge
... lamentation. From quwn; a dirge (as accompanied by beating thebreasts or on
instruments) -- lamentation. see HEBREW quwn. 7014b, 7015. qinah. 7016 ....
2373. chazeh -- breast (of animals)
... Definition: breast. Word Origin from an unused word Definition breast (of animals)
NASB Word Usage breast (11),breasts (2). breast. From...
1717. dad -- breast, teat, nipple
... bosom. Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition breast, teat, nipple NASB
Word Usage bosom (3),breasts (1). breast, teat. Apparently...
3824. lebab -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition inner man, mind, will, heart NASB Word
Usage anger (1),breasts (1), conscientious* (1), consider* (5), courage (1...
Library
For ThyBreasts are Better than Wine, and More Fragrant than the...
... COMMENTARY. CHAPTER I. 1, 2. For thybreasts are better than wine, and
more fragrant than the choicest ointments. Thybreasts, O...
I am a Wall, and MyBreasts Like Towers; Then was I in his Eyes as...
... CHAPTER VIII. 10. I am a wall, and mybreasts like towers; then was I in
his eyes as one that found favor. The Spouse, in ecstasies...
How Fair are ThyBreasts, My Sister Spouse! ThyBreasts are Fairer...
... CHAPTER IV. 10. How fair are thybreasts, my sister Spouse! thybreasts are fairer
than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices....
Thy TwoBreasts are Like Two Young Roes that are Twins.
... CHAPTER VII. 3. Thy twobreasts are like two young roes that are twins.
It would be a small matter for the Spouse to bear children...
Thy TwoBreasts are Like Two Young Roes that are Twins, Which...
... CHAPTER IV. 5. Thy twobreasts are like two young roes that are twins, which,
feed among the lilies. The Spouse here receives facility...
How by Holy Complacency we are Made as Little Infants at Our...
... COMPLACENCY AND BENEVOLENCE. CHAPTER II. HOW BY HOLY COMPLACENCY WE ARE MADE
AS LITTLE INFANTS AT OUR SAVIOUR'SBREASTS. O God! how happy...
The King Hath Brought Me into his Store-Chambers; we Will Exult...
... CHAPTER I. 3. The King hath brought me into his store-chambers; we will exult and
be glad in thee, remembering thybreasts better than wine; the upright love...
Verse 1. Who Will Give Thee to Me for a Brother, Sucking the...
... CHAPTER VIII. VERSE 1. Who will give thee to me for a brother, sucking
thebreasts of. my mother! that I might find thee without...
A Bundle of Myrrh is My Well-Beloved unto Me; He Shall Abide...
... COMMENTARY. CHAPTER I. 12. A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me;
he shall abide between mybreasts. When the Bride, or rather...
This Thy Stature is Like to a Palmtree, and ThyBreasts to...
... CHAPTER VII. 7. This thy stature is like to a palmtree, and thybreasts to clusters
of grapes.... Herbreasts are beautifully likened to clusters of grapes....
Thesaurus
Breasts (39 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Breasts (39 Occurrences). Matthew 11:17 "'We
have played the flute to you,' they say, 'and you have not
...Nursed (13 Occurrences)
... said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and
said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and thebreasts which nursed...
Suck (22 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 60:16 You shall also suck the milk of the nations, and shall nurse from royal
breasts; and you shall know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior, and your...
Beating (31 Occurrences)
... Luke 8:52 The people were all weeping aloud and beating theirbreasts for her; but
He said, "Leave off wailing; for she is not dead, but asleep." (WEY YLT)....
Roe (21 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Proverbs 5:19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let herbreasts
satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love....
Breast (71 Occurrences)
... Figurative: "Thebreasts of virginity," pressed and bruised (Ezekiel 23:3, 8 the
King James Version), indicative of Ezekiel's belief that Israel practiced...
Whoredoms (34 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:3 And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in
their youth: there were theirbreasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats...
Milk (66 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The ripe, undischarged spat of an oyster. 5. (vt) To draw or press milk
from thebreasts or udder of, by the hand or mouth; to withdraw the milk of....
Bruised (36 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:3 And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in
their youth: there were theirbreasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats...
Nourished (29 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Luke 23:29 For behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed
are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and thebreasts which never...
Resources
Can a Christian woman consider getting breast implants / breast augmentation? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the Artemis mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about androgyny? | GotQuestions.orgBreasts: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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