The term "backbone" is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible; however, the concept of strength, support, and steadfastness, which the backbone symbolizes, is prevalent throughout Scripture. The backbone, or spine, is a central structure in the human body, providing support and enabling movement. In a metaphorical sense, it represents the strength and resolve required to stand firm in faith and righteousness.

Symbolism of Backbone in Scripture

1. Strength and Support: The backbone is essential for physical support, much like how faith in God provides spiritual support. In Psalm 18:1-2 , David declares, "I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer." Here, God is depicted as the ultimate source of strength and support, akin to the backbone's role in the body.

2. Steadfastness in Faith: The backbone's role in maintaining posture can be likened to the believer's call to stand firm in faith. Ephesians 6:13-14 exhorts believers to "take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist." This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual resilience and steadfastness.

3. Courage and Integrity: Having a "strong backbone" is often associated with courage and integrity. In Joshua 1:9 , God commands Joshua, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." This call to courage is a reminder of the inner strength that comes from reliance on God.

4. Unity and Structure: Just as the backbone provides structure to the body, the Church is called to unity and order. Ephesians 4:15-16 states, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. 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." The Church, as the body of Christ, relies on each member's contribution, much like the body's reliance on the backbone for structure.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to develop a "spiritual backbone" by cultivating a deep and abiding faith in God. This involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. By doing so, Christians can stand firm against the challenges and temptations of the world, drawing strength from their relationship with God.

In summary, while the term "backbone" is not directly found in the Bible, its symbolic representation of strength, support, and steadfastness is deeply embedded in biblical teachings. Through faith in God, believers are equipped to stand firm and live lives marked by courage, integrity, and unity.1. (n.) The column of bones in the back which sustains and gives firmness to the frame; the spine; the vertebral or spinal column.

2. (n.) Anything like , or serving the purpose of, a backbone.

3. (n.) Firmness; moral principle; steadfastness.

6096. atseh -- spine
... 6095, 6096. atseh. 6097 . spine. Transliteration: atseh Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-tseh') Short Definition: backbone. Word ... 1). backbone. ...
/hebrew/6096.htm - 6k

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. ...
/hebrew/6100.htm - 6k

The Government of India.
... Years before the Mutiny, Sir Henry Lawrence said it was the backbone of
our strength, and events proved how true his remark was. ...
/.../chapter xxxi the government of.htm

The Unchangeable Christ
... Our noble forefathers of the Puritanic sort were men with backbone, men of solid
tread, independent and self-contained men, who could hold their own in the day ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/the unchangeable christ.htm

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 its backbone subdivides it into ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Significant Phrases
... awe and reverence. awkwardness and crudity. B. babel and confusion. backbone and
sinew. baffled and disappointed. balanced and forceful. barbarity and wickedness ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

The Mutiny of 1857-58.
... The small European force has always been the backbone of our armies; but in
every battle native soldiers have formed the great majority. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xvi the mutiny of.htm

The Last Days of Zinzendorf, 1755-1760.
... language. It was, therefore, the German element of the old Brethren's
Church that formed the backbone of the Renewed Church. It ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xv the last days.htm

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 own backbone. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 7 as i have.htm

Caphar Tebi.
... be esteemed clean or unclean). "Tudrus said, Here is neither the backbone
nor the skull of a man. They said, therefore, Since here ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 18 caphar tebi.htm

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 stiff backbone' and 'bowed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the net spread.htm

Uses of Church History.
... branch of theology. It is the backbone of theology or which it rests, and
the storehouse from which it derives its supplies. It is ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 5 uses of church.htm

Backbone (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Anything like , or serving the purpose of, a backbone. 3. (n.) Firmness;
moral principle; steadfastness. ...Backbone (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/backbone.htm - 7k

Rump (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The end of the backbone of an animal, with
the parts adjacent; the buttock or buttocks. 2. (n.) Among ...
/r/rump.htm - 9k

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 a backbone (Lagarde, Uebersicht., 157). ...
/l/luz.htm - 11k

Graecia
... East. Intersecting this line, the lofty Pindus range, forming the backbone
of Northern Greece, extends southward to Mt. Tymphrestus ...
/g/graecia.htm - 21k

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 the backbone; and the ...
/i/inwards.htm - 14k

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 the backbone; and the ...
/t/tail.htm - 13k

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 the backbone; and the ...
/r/rump-bone.htm - 6k

Ezion-geber (6 Occurrences)
... The giant's backbone (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 ...
/e/ezion-geber.htm - 10k

Eziongeber (3 Occurrences)
... The giant's backbone (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 ...
/e/eziongeber.htm - 9k

Peace-offerings (82 Occurrences)
... 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 the backbone; and the ...
/p/peace-offerings.htm - 33k

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