In the context of biblical literature, the term "muscles" is not explicitly mentioned. However, the concept of physical strength and the human body's capabilities are frequently addressed throughout the Scriptures. Muscles, as part of God's intricate design of the human body, can be inferred from various passages that speak to strength, labor, and the human form.

Creation and Design

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God intricately forms man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). This act of creation implies a complex design, including the muscular system, which enables movement and strength. Psalm 139:14 reflects on the wonder of the human body: "I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Strength and Labor

Muscles are essential for physical strength and labor, themes that are prevalent in biblical narratives. The strength of Samson, for example, is legendary. Judges 16:17 reveals that his strength was a gift from God, symbolized by his uncut hair. While the text does not detail his muscular build, his feats of strength suggest a powerful physique.

The Bible also emphasizes the value of hard work and labor, which inherently involves the use of muscles. Proverbs 14:23 states, "In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This highlights the importance of physical effort and the role of the body in fulfilling God's purposes.

Metaphorical Use

Muscles and strength are often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe spiritual truths. Ephesians 6:10 encourages believers to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." Here, the concept of strength transcends the physical and points to spiritual fortitude.

Health and Stewardship

The Bible advocates for the care and stewardship of the body, which includes maintaining physical health. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds believers that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This passage underscores the responsibility to care for one's physical body, including the muscular system, as part of honoring God.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not specifically mention muscles, the principles of strength, labor, and the care of the body are woven throughout its teachings. These elements reflect the broader biblical themes of creation, stewardship, and spiritual strength, illustrating the importance of the physical body in the life of faith.8306. sharir -- sinew, muscle
... 8305, 8306. sharir. 8307 . sinew, muscle. Transliteration: sharir Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-reer') Short Definition: muscles. Word ...
/hebrew/8306.htm - 6k

The Sinner's Natural Power and Moral Weakness.
... The simple fact is, that some of our muscles are not under the control of the will
at all, while others are under its control by a law of the sternest necessity ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xi the sinners natural power.htm

The Speaking Voice
... They tighten the muscles of the throat and mouth, instead of liberating these muscles
and allowing the voice to flow naturally and harmoniously. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/the speaking voice.htm

The Arrest of the Body
... In place of shaping things with the Hand, he invented the turning-lathe; to save
his fingers he requisitioned the loom; instead of working his muscles he gave ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter iii the arrest of.htm

Letter vi. Associates and Friends.
... This is all the result of unexercised muscles and mental indolence. ... Unexercised
muscles, of course, will be weak and flabby and tire easily. ...
/.../letter vi associates and friends.htm

Care of the Speaker's Throat
... Sometimes the earnestness of the preacher causes him to "clutch" each word with
the vocal muscles, instead of using the throat as an open channel through which ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/care of the speakers throat.htm

Called to Reach a Higher Standard
... For one to have any hope of success in these trials of strength and speed, the muscles
must be strong and supple, and the nerves well under control. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 30 called to reach.htm

God in Human Garb.
... him. The lame man leans more on other muscles, and they answer with greater
strength to meet the defect of the weaker muscles. The ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/god in human garb.htm

Ezekiel's vision of the Dry Bones Quoted.
... Lord God to these bones, Behold, I bring upon you the breath of life, and ye shall
live: and I will give unto you the spirit, and I will place muscles over you ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxix ezekiels vision of the.htm

Jesus Hanging on the Cross Between Two Thieves.
... His legs and thighs, as also his arms, were stretched out almost to dislocation,
the flesh and muscles so completely laid bare that every bone was visible, and ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xli jesus hanging on.htm

Introduction.
... His heart, his brain, his lungs, his hands, his muscles, his nerves, all wrought
for others until heart and brain, and lungs and hands, and muscles and nerves ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/introduction.htm

Muscles (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Muscles (7 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Job 10:11 By you I was
clothed with skin and flesh, and joined together with bones and muscles. (BBE). ...
/m/muscles.htm - 8k

Leg-muscles (4 Occurrences)
Leg-muscles. Legitimately, Leg-muscles. Legs . Multi-Version
Concordance Leg-muscles (4 Occurrences). Joshua 11:6 And ...
/l/leg-muscles.htm - 7k

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)
... the Lord said to Joshua, Have no fear of them: for tomorrow at this time I will
give them all up dead before Israel; you are to have the leg-muscles of their ...
/w/war-carriages.htm - 31k

Knees (47 Occurrences)
... It is, eg, a very frequent symptom of the disease known in the Orient as beriberi,
when the muscles of the lower leg shrink to such a degree as to render ...
/k/knees.htm - 23k

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... The legs were bare, long, and the muscles like steel from the long distances covered
in desert travel. ... The wings were small, the muscles soft and flabby. ...
/o/ostrich.htm - 18k

Flesh (468 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which cover the framework
of bones in man and other animals; especially, the muscles. ...
/f/flesh.htm - 69k

Feeble (147 Occurrences)
... It is, eg, a very frequent symptom of the disease known in the Orient as beriberi,
when the muscles of the lower leg shrink to such a degree as to render ...
/f/feeble.htm - 38k

Muscle (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An organ which, by its contraction, produces motion.
2. (n.) The contractile tissue of which muscles are largely made up. ...
/m/muscle.htm - 7k

Strain (5 Occurrences)
... 9. (v.) To injure in the muscles or joints by causing to make too strong an effort;
to harm by overexertion; to sprain; as, to strain a horse by overloading ...
/s/strain.htm - 11k

Shoulder (72 Occurrences)
... region of the joint, by which the fore limb is connected with the body or with the
shoulder girdle; the projection formed by the bones and muscles about that ...
/s/shoulder.htm - 37k

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