Bone, Bones
Bone, Bones
bon (, ecem, , ocem; Aramaic , gerem, by extension used for bony frame, body, strength, Psa 35:10; the whole man; Luk 24:39, flesh and bones = the solid and tangible framework of the body; figuratively the substance, the idea of a thing, the thing, per se): Figurative: Very often we find the use of these words in metaphorical phrases, in which a disease or a discomfort of the body denotes certain emotions or mental attitudes. Thus the expression rottenness of the bones (Pro 12:4; Pro 14:30) signifies the feelings of a man whose wife causes him shame and confusion, or is equivalent to envy, jealousy. The translation of the Septuagint in these passages by , skolex, worm, and , ses, maggot, moth, is incorrect. The same phrase is used in Hab 3:16 for utter dejectedness through the anticipation of approaching evil. Similarly the shaking of the bones (Job 4:14) is expressive of fear, and denotes dejection and sadness in Jer 23:9. The burning of the bones is found as a symptom of J ob’s disease (Job 30:30), and stands for grief, depression of spirits in Psa 102:3 and Lam 1:13, and also for the feeling of Jeremiah, when he attempted to hold back the Divine message (Jer 20:9), while dryness of bones (Pro 17:22) is the opposite of good health. Other similar expressions of mental distress are the piercing of the bones (Job 30:17), the bones are troubled (Psa 6:2), out of joint (Psa 22:14), consumed (Psa 31:10 the King James Version), wasted away or waxed old (Psa 32:3), broken (Psa 51:8; Lam 3:4), ill at rest (Psa 38:3), bone of my bones, etc. (Gen 2:23), having the same nature, and the nearest relation (2Sa 5:1) and affection (Eph 5:30). In the last-mentioned passage, the Revised Version (British and American) omits of his flesh, and of his bones as an interpolation from Gen 2:23. The figs. in Mic 3:2, Mic 3:3 are expressive of the most cruel oppression and murder.