Dictionary of Bible Themes – 5127 back
Resources chevron-right Dictionary of Bible Themes chevron-right 5000 Humanity chevron-right 5125 Parts of the body and clothing chevron-right 5127 back
5127 back

5127 back

As the part of the body used for bearing loads it is used both literally and metaphorically.

The human back used for carrying

Jesus Christ carried his cross on his back Jn 19:17 See also Mt 27:32 pp Mk 15:21 pp Lk 23:26 The shape of the cross necessitated it being carried across the shoulders and back. It appears that Jesus Christ started to carry his own cross but Simon of Cyrene took over as Christ weakened.

Weapons carried on the back 1Sa 17:6

Animals carry people and goods on their backs

Isa 30:6 See also Ex 15:1,21; 2Sa 13:29; 2Sa 16:1-2; 2Sa 18:9; 2Sa 19:26; 2Ki 18:23 pp Isa 36:8; Isa 21:7; Isa 30:16; Jer 6:23; Hag 2:22; Rev 9:17

Riding on the backs of animals may indicate royalty or privilege Zec 9:9 See also 1Ki 1:33,38,44 Nobility and wealth: Jdg 5:10; Jdg 10:4; Jdg 12:14 Authority: Rev 6:1-8; Rev 19:11-21

Jesus Christ mounted a donkey for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem Mt 21:7-9 pp Mk 11:7-11 pp Lk 19:35-38 See also Jn 12:13-15

Carrying a burden on the back represents bearing suffering and trials

Ps 66:11 See also Ps 38:4; Ecc 1:13; Ecc 3:10; Mt 11:28-30

Injury to the back

Jdg 3:22; 2Sa 2:23; Job 20:24-25

Pain in the back causing anguish Ps 38:7

The back endures punishment

Bending of the back indicates loss of physical strength Ps 69:23 See also Ro 11:10

Beating on the back is a punishment Pr 10:13; Pr 14:3; Pr 19:29; Pr 26:3

Beating on the back may be an unjust punishment for God’s servants Isa 50:6 See also Isa 53:4-5; Mt 21:35 pp Mk 12:3 pp Lk 20:11 The servants in the parable represent the OT prophets.

Jesus Christ endured flogging Mt 27:26 pp Mk 15:15 pp Jn 19:1 Jesus Christ becomes the suffering servant of Isaiah’s prophecies.

The apostles endured flogging 2Co 11:23-25 See also Ac 5:40; Ac 16:22-23,37; Ac 21:32; 2Co 6:5,9

Jesus Christ’s disciples should expect similar flogging Mt 10:17 See also Mt 23:34; Mk 13:9

Whipping on the back used figuratively in a warning Jos 23:12-13

Walking over the back used figuratively to indicate defeat Isa 51:23

Turning one’s back means desertion

God makes the enemies of his people flee Ex 23:27 See also 2Sa 22:41 pp Ps 18:40; Ps 21:12

Israel flees from her enemies Jos 7:12

God’s people desert him Ne 9:29 “To turn one’s back”, in these verses and the following verses, also implies a lack of respect and reverence for God and his ways. See also 2Ch 29:6; Isa 1:4; Isa 59:12-13; Jer 2:27; Jer 32:33-34; Eze 8:16

God’s people desert his instruction Zec 7:11; 2Pe 2:21

Thrusting behind one’s back means discarding

Isa 38:17 God forgives sins, putting them out of sight; Eze 23:35 See also 1Ki 14:9; Ne 9:26

God turns his back in his grace

Ex 33:22-23 To see God’s face would bring death.

God turns his back against disobedient people

Jer 18:17

See also

1055God, grace & mercy
1065God, holiness of
1075God, justice of
1210God, human descriptions
1255face of God
2230Messiah, coming of
2366Christ, prophecies concerning
2570Christ, suffering
4633donkey
4657horse
5313flogging
8794persecution

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