In biblical literature, the term "sinews" refers to the tendons or connective tissues in the body that bind muscles to bones, providing strength and support. The concept of sinews is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the intricate design of God's creation.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 32:32 : "Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon at the hip socket, because the man touched the socket of Jacob’s hip near that tendon." This passage recounts the account of Jacob wrestling with a divine being, resulting in his hip being dislocated. The sinew, or tendon, becomes a symbol of the encounter and a reminder of Jacob's transformation into Israel. The prohibition against eating the sinew reflects a deep respect for this pivotal moment in Israel's history.

2. Job 10:11 : "You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews." Here, Job acknowledges the intricate and purposeful design of the human body, attributing its complexity to God's creative power. The mention of sinews highlights the strength and unity of the human form, crafted by divine hands.

3. Ezekiel 37:6 : "I will attach tendons to you and make flesh grow upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD." In the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, God promises to restore life to the lifeless bones by attaching sinews, covering them with flesh, and breathing life into them. This powerful imagery signifies God's ability to restore and revitalize His people, both physically and spiritually.

Symbolic Significance:

Sinews in the Bible often symbolize strength and the sustaining power of God. They represent the unseen forces that hold the body together, much like God's providence and support hold His creation in place. The use of sinews in metaphorical language underscores the idea of divine strength and the interconnectedness of God's people.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, sinews can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual and communal bonds that unite believers. Just as sinews provide physical strength and cohesion, the spiritual sinews of faith, love, and fellowship bind the body of Christ together. This imagery encourages believers to rely on God's strength and to maintain unity within the church.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the understanding of the human body was closely tied to religious and spiritual beliefs. The mention of sinews in biblical texts reflects a recognition of the body's complexity and the divine craftsmanship involved in its creation. The prohibition against eating the sinew in Genesis 32:32 also highlights the cultural practices and dietary laws that distinguished the Israelites from surrounding nations.

Overall, the concept of sinews in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's intricate design and sustaining power, both in the physical realm and in the spiritual life of His people.1517. gid -- sinew
... 1516, 1517. gid. 1518 . sinew. Transliteration: gid Phonetic Spelling:
(gheed) Short Definition: sinews. Word Origin from an unused ...
/hebrew/1517.htm - 6k

A Refutation of the Same on the Grounds of the Human Constitution.
... and curdled me as cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and
hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/iv a refutation of the.htm

Even Unburied Bodies Will be Raised Again Whatever Befalls them ...
... to believe than to dispute, and more scrupulous of the wisdom of God than wantonly
bent on his own, when he hears of a divine purpose respecting sinews and skin ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxxii even unburied bodies will.htm

On Repentance and Remission of Sins, and Concerning the Adversary.
... 1. A fearful thing is sin, and the sorest disease of the soul is transgression,
secretly cutting its sinews, and becoming also the cause of eternal fire; an ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ii on repentance and.htm

Epistle Lxxvii. The Reply of Nemesianus, Dativus, Felix, and ...
... troops of the brethren, on the one hand and on the other, with your words, so that
snares were on all sides laid for the enemy, and the severed sinews of the ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxvii the reply of.htm

The Dry Bones and the Spirit of Life
... of the Lord.5. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath
to enter into you, and ye shall live: 6. And I will lay sinews upon you ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the dry bones and the.htm

How, when the Pelagian Heresy Began to Spring up Afresh, Germanus ...
... hastened to meet the holy men, carrying with him his son, who in the very flower
of his youth laboured under a grievous infirmity; for the sinews of the knee ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxi how when the.htm

Proofs of the Resurrection from Isaiah and Ezekiel; the Same God ...
... Thus saith the Lord to these bones, Behold, I will cause the spirit of life to come
upon you, and I will lay sinews upon you, and bring up flesh again upon you ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xv proofs of the resurrection.htm

The Tenth Book Discusses the Unattainable and Incomprehensible
... its body has a framework of bones, whether the hollows of the bones are filled with
marrow, whether its joints are united by the tension of sinews and ligaments ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 1 the tenth book.htm

But, they Say, While we are Moving Swiftly Down Towards Our Mortal ...
... Their bodies are built up on bones, and bound closely together by sinews; and our
bodies are in like manner built up on bones, and bound closely together by ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/16 but they say while.htm

Letter xvi. Against Eunomius the Heretic.
... breathing? Has it a skeleton? Is its body connected by sinews and ligaments?
Are its sinews surrounded with muscles and glands? Does ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xvi against eunomius the.htm

Sinews (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sinews (7 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). Job 10:11 You have clothed
me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. ...
/s/sinews.htm - 8k

Sinew (2 Occurrences)
... See Tendon. 2. (n.) Muscle; nerve. 3. (n.) Fig.: That which supplies strength or
power. 4. (vt) To knit together, or make strong with, or as with, sinews. Int. ...
/s/sinew.htm - 8k

Knit (11 Occurrences)
... Job 10:11 You have clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with
bones and sinews. ... The sinews of his thighs are knit together. ...
/k/knit.htm - 10k

Organs (3 Occurrences)
... he desired. (See RSV). Job 40:17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews
of his male organs are wrapped together. (WBS). Psalms ...
/o/organs.htm - 7k

Thighs (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Job 40:17 He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his thighs
are knit together. (WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Song ...
/t/thighs.htm - 9k

Tendons (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 37:6 I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover
you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know ...
/t/tendons.htm - 6k

Relax (5 Occurrences)
... lax or loose; to make less close, firm, rigid, tense, or the like; to slacken; to
loosen; to open; as, to relax a rope or cord; to relax the muscles or sinews. ...
/r/relax.htm - 9k

Moveth (18 Occurrences)
... its place. (YLT). Job 40:17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews
of his stones are wrapped together. (KJV ASV WBS). Psalms ...
/m/moveth.htm - 11k

Pierces (8 Occurrences)
... The bronze arrow shall strike him through. (See NIV). Job 30:17 In the night my
bones are pierced, and fall from me, and my sinews take no rest. (See NAS NIV). ...
/p/pierces.htm - 8k

Bend (29 Occurrences)
... bend. (YLT). Job 40:17 He bendeth his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his
thighs are woven together. (Root in DBY YLT NAS). Psalms ...
/b/bend.htm - 16k

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