Breast

Breast [NAVE]

BREAST
parts of a sacrifice: Ex. 29:26, 27; Lev. 7:30, 30, 31, 34; 8:29; 9:20, 21; 10:14, 15; Num. 6:20; 18:18 area of the lap, chest: Jer. 31:19; Ezek. 21:12; Luke 18:13; 23:48; John 13:25; 21:20; Rev. 1:13; 15:6 of women: Gen. 49:25; Job 3:12; 24:9; Psa. 22:9; Song 1:13; 4:5; 7:3, 7, 8; 8:1, 8, 10; Isa. 28:9; 32:12; 60:16; 66:11; Lam. 4:3; Ezek. 16:7; 23:3, 21, 34; Hos. 2:2; 9:14; Joel 2:16; Luke 11:27; 23:29

BREAST [ISBE]

BREAST - brest: Signifying the front view of the bust in humans and the corresponding portion of the body in animals. chazeh, occurs in Ex 29:26,27; Lev 7:30,31,34; 8:29; 10:14,15; Nu 6:20; 18:18; and chadhi, in Dan 2:32. shadh or shodh = "breast" in the sense of pap of a woman or animal (Job 24:9; Song 8:1,8,10; Isa 60:16; Lam 4:3). Only one word occurs with this signification in the New Testament: stethos = "bosom," "chest" (Lk 18:13; 23:48; Jn 13:25; 21:20).

See WAVE OFFERING.

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

Frank E. Hirsch