Topical Encyclopedia
The term "back-bone" is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible; however, the concept of the spine or backbone can be inferred through various scriptural references to strength, support, and structure. In biblical times, the backbone was understood as a crucial part of the human body, providing physical support and enabling movement. It is often used metaphorically to describe moral and spiritual fortitude.
Metaphorical Use in ScriptureThe backbone is often symbolically associated with strength and resilience. In the Bible, strength is a recurring theme, and the backbone can be seen as a metaphor for the inner strength that believers are called to exhibit. For instance, in
Ephesians 6:10 , Paul exhorts believers to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." This strength is akin to having a spiritual backbone, standing firm in faith and righteousness.
Moral and Spiritual FortitudeThe concept of having a "backbone" in a moral or spiritual sense is reflected in the call to stand firm against adversity and temptation. In
1 Corinthians 16:13 , Paul instructs, "Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong." This passage emphasizes the need for believers to have a strong spiritual backbone, maintaining their faith and integrity in the face of challenges.
Support and StructureThe backbone's role in providing support and structure to the body can be likened to the role of faith and the Word of God in a believer's life. Just as the spine supports the body, Scripture supports and guides the believer.
Psalm 119:105 states, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," highlighting the guiding and sustaining role of God's Word.
Community and UnityIn a communal sense, the backbone can also represent the unity and support within the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:16 describes the church as a body, "From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Here, the backbone can be seen as a symbol of the interconnectedness and mutual support among believers, essential for the health and growth of the church.
ConclusionWhile the term "back-bone" is not directly mentioned in the Bible, its symbolic implications are woven throughout Scripture. The backbone represents strength, support, and unity, both physically and spiritually, encouraging believers to stand firm in their faith and support one another in love.
Strong's Hebrew
6096. atseh -- spine... 6095, 6096. atseh. 6097 . spine. Transliteration: atseh Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-tseh') Short Definition:
backbone. Word
... 1).
backbone.
...6100. Etsyon Geber -- a city on the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba
... Ezion-geber. (shorter) {Etsyon Geber, from atseh and geber;backbone-like of a man;
Etsjon-Geber, a place on the Red Sea -- Ezion-geber. see HEBREW atseh....
Library
The Government of India.
... Years before the Mutiny, Sir Henry Lawrence said it was thebackbone of
our strength, and events proved how true his remark was....
The Unchangeable Christ
... Our noble forefathers of the Puritanic sort were men withbackbone, men of solid
tread, independent and self-contained men, who could hold their own in the day...
The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... its tribes to mass themselves together, and oppose a compact body to the invading
hosts; but the range of mountains which forms itsbackbone subdivides it into...
Significant Phrases
... awe and reverence. awkwardness and crudity. B. babel and confusion.backbone and
sinew. baffled and disappointed. balanced and forceful. barbarity and wickedness...
The Mutiny of 1857-58.
... The small European force has always been thebackbone of our armies; but in
every battle native soldiers have formed the great majority....
The Last Days of Zinzendorf, 1755-1760.
... language. It was, therefore, the German element of the old Brethren's
Church that formed thebackbone of the Renewed Church. It...
As I have Said, I Propose to Take Only one Central Instance...
... Just as there are fields too far off for law, so there are fields too near; as
a man may see the North Pole before he sees his ownbackbone....
Grace and Truth Coupled.
... Of course real grace and truth always are coupled. They tell the exquisite poise
that is in everything God does. Truth is theback-bone of grace....
Caphar Tebi.
... be esteemed clean or unclean). "Tudrus said, Here is neither thebackbone
nor the skull of a man. They said, therefore, Since here...
The Net Spread
... only due honour to the second man in the kingdom.' But the monotheism of his race
was too deeply ingrained in him, and so he kept 'a stiffbackbone' and 'bowed...
Thesaurus
Backbone (1 Occurrence)... 2. (n.) Anything like , or serving the purpose of, a
backbone. 3. (n.) Firmness;
moral principle; steadfastness.
...Backbone (1 Occurrence).
...Back-bone (1 Occurrence)
Back-bone.Backbone,Back-bone. Background . Multi-Version Concordance
Back-bone (1 Occurrence)....Backbone,Back-bone. Background . Reference Bible.
Rump (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The end of thebackbone of an animal, with
the parts adjacent; the buttock or buttocks. 2. (n.) Among...
Luz (7 Occurrences)
... It may also mean "bone," particularly a bone of the spine, and might be applied
to a rocky height supposed to resemble abackbone (Lagarde, Uebersicht., 157)....
Graecia
... East. Intersecting this line, the lofty Pindus range, forming thebackbone
of Northern Greece, extends southward to Mt. Tymphrestus...
Inwards (24 Occurrences)
... offer from the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Yahweh;
its fat, the entire tail fat, he shall take away close to thebackbone; and the...
Tail (16 Occurrences)
... offer from the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Yahweh;
its fat, the entire tail fat, he shall take away close to thebackbone; and the...
Rump-bone (1 Occurrence)
... the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering made by fire unto Jehovah; the fat
thereof, the fat tail entire, he shall take away hard by thebackbone; and the...
Ezion-geber (6 Occurrences)
... The giant'sbackbone (so called from the head of a mountain which runs out into
the sea), an ancient city and harbour at the north-east end of the Elanitic...
Resources
Why did God use Adam's rib to create Eve? | GotQuestions.orgIs Jesus dead? | GotQuestions.orgHow do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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