Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "back" is often used both literally and metaphorically, appearing in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. The back can symbolize strength, burden-bearing, rebellion, or turning away from God. Understanding these uses provides insight into the cultural and spiritual significance of the term in biblical times.Literal Use The literal use of "back" in the Bible often refers to the physical part of the human body. It is associated with strength and the ability to bear burdens. For instance, in Genesis 49:15, Issachar is described as a "strong donkey lying down between the sheepfolds," who "bends his back to bear a burden." This imagery highlights the physical capability and endurance required to carry heavy loads. Metaphorical Use 1. Rebellion and Turning Away The back is frequently used metaphorically to describe rebellion or turning away from God. In Jeremiah 2:27, the prophet laments the people's idolatry, saying, "They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces." This imagery conveys a deliberate choice to reject God's presence and guidance, emphasizing the spiritual consequences of such actions. 2. Divine Judgment The back is also associated with divine judgment. In Isaiah 50:6, the suffering servant says, "I offered My back to those who beat Me, My cheeks to those who pulled out My beard; I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle." This passage prophetically points to the suffering of Christ, who bore the physical and spiritual burdens of humanity's sin. 3. Protection and Support Conversely, the back can symbolize protection and support. In Exodus 33:23, God tells Moses, "Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen." Here, God's back represents His glory and the assurance of His presence, even when His full essence cannot be comprehended by human eyes. Cultural and Spiritual Significance In ancient Near Eastern culture, the back was often seen as a vulnerable part of the body, exposed to attack or burden. This cultural understanding is reflected in biblical texts, where the back is a site of both suffering and strength. The spiritual implications of turning one's back on God are profound, symbolizing a rejection of His covenant and blessings. Key Verses · Genesis 49:15 : "When he sees how good his resting place is and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor." · Jeremiah 2:27 : "They say to wood, ‘You are my father,’ and to stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces. Yet in their time of trouble they say, ‘Arise and save us!’" · Isaiah 50:6 : "I offered My back to those who beat Me, My cheeks to those who pulled out My beard; I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle." · Exodus 33:23 : "Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen." The concept of the back in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of human strength, vulnerability, and the spiritual dynamics of obedience and rebellion. Through its various uses, the term invites reflection on the relationship between God and His people, highlighting themes of faithfulness, judgment, and redemption. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc.2. (n.) A ferryboat. See Bac, 1. 3. (n.) In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish, or lobster. 4. (n.) An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge. 5. (n.) The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back of a hand rail. 6. (n.) The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a chimney. 7. (n.) The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village. 8. (n.) The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw. 9. (n.) A support or resource in reserve. 10. (n.) The keel and keelson of a ship. 11. (n.) The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage. 12. (n.) A garment for the back; hence, clothing. 13. (a.) Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the back door; back settlements. 14. (a.) Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent. 15. (a.) Moving or operating backward; as, back action. 16. (v. i.) To get upon the back of; to mount. 17. (v. i.) To place or seat upon the back. 18. (v. i.) To drive or force backward; to cause to retreat or recede; as, to back oxen. 19. (v. i.) To make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back books. 20. (v. i.) To adjoin behind; to be at the back of. 21. (v. i.) To write upon the back of; as, to back a letter; to indorse; as, to back a note or legal document. 22. (v. i.) To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid or influence; as, to back a friend. 23. (v. i.) To bet on the success of; -- as, to back a race horse. 24. (v. i.) To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back. 25. (v. i.) To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; -- used of the wind. 26. (v. i.) To stand still behind another dog which has pointed; -- said of a dog. 27. (adv.) In, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step back. 28. (adv.) To the place from which one came; to the place or person from which something is taken or derived; as, to go back for something left behind; to go back to one's native place; to put a book back after reading it. 29. (adv.) To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to private life; to go back to barbarism. 30. (adv.) (Of time) In times past; ago. 31. (adv.) Away from contact; by reverse movement. 32. (adv.) In concealment or reserve; in one's own possession; as, to keep back the truth; to keep back part of the money due to another. 33. (adv.) In a state of restraint or hindrance. 34. (adv.) In return, repayment, or requital. 35. (adv.) In withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking; as, he took back the offensive words. 36. (adv.) In arrear; as, to be back in one's rent. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BACK, BACK PARTS(1) 'achar, ("back side" as in the King James Version): "He led the flock to the back of the wilderness" (Exodus 3:1), i.e. "to the pasture-lands on the other side of the desert from the Midianite encampments." Greek 5288. hupostello -- to draw in, let down, draw back ... to draw in, let down, draw back. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupostello Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-os-tel'-lo) Short Definition: I draw back, conceal ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5288.htm - 7k 5290. hupostrepho -- to turn back, return 591. apodidomi -- to give up, give back, return, restore 5289. hupostole -- a letting down, a shrinking back 377. anapipto -- to fall back 600. apokathistemi -- to restore, give back 523. apaiteo -- to ask back 3577. notos -- the back 3694. opiso -- back, behind, after 467. antapodidomi -- to give back as an equivalent, recompense Strong's Hebrew 7725. shub -- to turn back, return... 7724b, 7725. shub. 7726 . to turn back, return. Transliteration: shub Phonetic Spelling: (shoob) Short Definition: return. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/7725.htm - 9k 4513. mana -- to withhold, hold back 1458. gav -- the back 1355. gab -- back or side 6203. oreph -- back of the neck, neck 268. achor -- the hind side, back part 1354. gab -- a back 1465. gevah -- the back 1460. gev -- the back 1460a. gev -- the back Library At the Back of the North Wind Back to Eden. Go Back? Never! The Cat came Back When one at the Back of the North Wind Wanted to Know How Things ... Called Back. Back to Pilate Back to Memphis Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the ... The Ascension: Back Home Again Until -- -- Thesaurus Back (5096 Occurrences)... from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the back of a ... /b/back.htm - 11k Back-part (1 Occurrence) Back-biters (1 Occurrence) Back-bone (1 Occurrence) Stagger (20 Occurrences) Spring (122 Occurrences) Aramaeans (49 Occurrences) Captors (9 Occurrences) Child's (16 Occurrences) Sword-dance (1 Occurrence) Resources Is it possible to know when Jesus is coming back? | GotQuestions.orgCan a Christian “give back” salvation? | GotQuestions.org What will happen when Jesus returns / comes back? | GotQuestions.org Back: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Back (5096 Occurrences)Back is used 5096 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Related Terms |
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