Bible Encyclopedias
Breast

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

brest : Signifying the front view of the bust in humans and the corresponding portion of the body in animals. חזה , ḥāzeh , occurs in Exodus 29:26 , Exodus 29:27; Leviticus 7:30 , Leviticus 7:31 , Leviticus 7:34; Leviticus 8:29; Leviticus 10:14 , Leviticus 10:15; Numbers 6:20; Numbers 18:18; and חדי , ḥădhı̄ , in Daniel 2:32 . שד , shadh or שׁד , shōdh = "breast" in the sense of pap of a woman or animal (Job 24:9; Song of Solomon 8:1 , Song of Solomon 8:8 , Song of Solomon 8:10; Isaiah 60:16; Lamentations 4:3 ). Only one word occurs with this signification in the New Testament: στῆθος , stḗthos = "bosom," "chest" (Luke 18:13; Luke 23:48; John 13:25; John 21:20 ). See WAVE OFFERING .

Figurative: "The breasts of virginity," pressed and bruised ( Ezekiel 23:3 , Ezekiel 23:8 the King James Version), indicative of Ezekiel's belief that Israel practiced idolatry in Egypt (compare Ezekiel 20:8 ). "To tear (pluck off) thy breasts" (Ezekiel 23:34 ) denotes the anguish of the people in parting with their beloved sin (compare Hosea 2:2 ). "Its breast of silver" (Daniel 2:32 ) is possibly expressive of the humanity and wealth of the Medo-Persian empire.