Bosom

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Bosom occurs 5 times in Authorized and Revised Versions of the Gospels ( Luke 6:38;  Luke 16:22-23,  John 1:18;  John 13:23), representing in each case the Gr. κόλπος, the word which in LXX Septuagint regularly corresponds to חִיק of the Heb. text and ‘bosom’ of the Authorized and Revised Versions. κόλποςis found only once more in NT, viz., in  Acts 27:39, where it has the secondary sense of a bay or bight (a bosom-like hollow); cf. English ‘gulf,’ which comes from this root.

In classical Greek, in the LXX Septuagint, and in the NT κόλπος, like Lat. sinus (which Vulgate gives in all the above passages), is used in the two principal senses of ( a ) the human bosom, the front of the body between the arms; ( b ) the bosom of the garment, i.e. the hollow formed in front when the upper garment was bound round the waist with the girdle. In Authorized and Revised Versions of the OT ‘bosom’ is to be understood, according to the context, in one or other of these two senses. e.g. in expressions like ‘the wife of thy bosom’ ( Deuteronomy 13:6), ‘Naomi took the child and laid it in her bosom’ ( Ruth 4:16), the first sense is evidently the proper one. On the other hand, when we read of putting one’s hand into one’s bosom ( Exodus 4:6-7), taking fire into the bosom ( Proverbs 6:27), receiving a gift in the bosom ( Proverbs 21:14), it is the bosom of the garment of which we are to think. See art. Dress.

1. In  Luke 6:38, where our Lord says to willing givers, ‘Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over … shall they give into your bosom,’ it is clear that the word has the sense of ( b ). The overhanging front of the upper garment when confined by the girdle was used as a convenient receptacle, serving the purposes of the modern pocket. An adequate paraphrase would thus be, ‘Your pockets shall be filled to overflowing.’ In the remaining passages two distinct questions emerge. First, the more important one as to the general meaning in each case of the expression ‘in the bosom’ or ‘on the bosom.’ Next, in those cases in which the phrase is taken to refer to the position at table of one guest in relation to another, as to whether the ‘bosom’ is the bosom proper or the bosom of the garment.

2. To begin with the simplest passage, the general meaning of  John 13:23, in the light of the table customs of the period, is perfectly plain. In the time of Christ it was customary at a set feast to recline on a divan or couch, with the feet stretched out behind, the left arm supported on a cushion, and the right hand free for eating. Moreover, the usual plan was that the guests reclined not at right angles to the table, but obliquely, this being manifestly much the more convenient way of reaching the viands (cf. Lightfoot, Hor. Heb. et Talm . [Note: Talmud.] , ad loc. ). By this arrangement a second guest to the right hand lay with his head towards the bosom of the first, and so on. But what precisely is meant by ‘bosom’ in this connexion? Whether is the word used in the sense of ( a ) or of ( b ) as described above? Probably in the latter, the meaning being that the head of the second reached ‘to the sinus of the girdle’ of the first (see Meyer, Com. in loc. ). It could not well have reached to the other’s bosom in the strict sense of the word, for this would have interfered with his freedom and comfort in eating and drinking. This view is confirmed by the fact that when the Evangelist describes St. John as leaning back (ἀναπεσών) on Jesus’ breast to ask Him a question, a different word (στῆθος) is employed ( John 13:21, cf.  John 21:20, and see Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 in both cases). See art. Guest-chamber.

3. The expression ‘Abraham’s bosom’ ( Luke 16:22-23) has already been dealt with in its general eschatological signification (see art. Abraham). A question remains, however, as to the precise form of the figure which the words are meant to suggest (note that the plur. in  Luke 16:23 has no separate connotation from the sing. in  Luke 16:22. Cf. Homer, Il. ix. 570, and see Winer-Moulton, Gram. of NT Gr. 219 f.). Is Abraham to be thought of, fatherlike, as enfolding Lazarus in his arms (cf. ‘Father Abraham,’  Luke 16:24;  Luke 16:27;  Luke 16:30), or rather as receiving him into the place of the honoured guest, the place nearest to himself at a heavenly banquet? ‘Into Abraham’s bosom’ (εἰς τὸν κόλπον Ἀ.,  Luke 16:22) might suggest the former, but ‘in his bosom’ (ἐν τοῖς κόλποις αὐτοῦ,  Luke 16:23) may very well be used with reference to the idea of a feast, after the analogy of  John 13:23 (κόλπος is used in the plural form both of the human bosom and of the folds of the upper garment. See Liddell and Scott and Grimm-Thayer, s.v. ). And this seems to be confirmed by that other passage ( Matthew 8:11, cf.  Luke 13:28-29) in which Jesus says, ‘Many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down ((Revised Version margin) ‘recline,’ Gr. ἀνακλιθήσονται; cf. ἀνεκλίθη in TR [Note: Textus Receptus.] reading of  Luke 7:36, which Authorized Version renders ‘sat down to meat’) with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.’ Alike for the social outcast (Lazarus) and for the religious outcasts (the Gentiles), Jesus holds out as a joyful prospect the thought of sitting down with Abraham at a heavenly banqueting-table. The conception of Paradise, moreover, under the figure of a feast, is specially appropriate, because of the contrast it presents to the earthly condition of Lazarus as a starving beggar ( Luke 7:21), just as it is in keeping with the great reversal in the positions of the two men that Dives, who on earth had ‘fared sumptuously every day’ ( Luke 7:19), should now lack even a drop of water to cool his burning tongue ( Luke 7:24).

4. The only passage that remains is  John 1:18, where Jesus Christ is described as ‘the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father.’ In this case the image of neighbours at a feast seems quite inappropriate, though some have suggested it; and it is in every way more suitable, in view of the whole purpose of the Prologue no less than the language of the immediate context, to take ‘in the bosom of the Father’ in that closer and more tender meaning in which in the OT the expression is used to describe, whether literally or figuratively, the relation of a wife to her husband ( Deuteronomy 13:6), or of a child to his father ( Numbers 11:12) or mother ( 1 Kings 17:19). This beautiful term of human affection is employed here to denote the intimate fellowship of perfect love which exists between God and His Son. Some difficulty is occasioned by the fact that the phrase in the original is εἰς τὸν κόλπον, literally, ‘into the bosom.’ Meyer insists on giving to εἰς its ordinary meaning of ‘direction towards,’ and so recognizes as the prominent element in the expression the idea of having arrived at . He admits that ‘so far as the thing itself is concerned,’ the εἰς τὸν κόλπον of  John 1:18 does not differ from the πρὸς τὸν θεόν of  John 1:1, but maintains that in  John 1:18, at all events, the Evangelist desires to express the fullest fellowship with God, not before the Incarnation, but after the Ascension into glory. In this case, however, the description of Jesus Christ as εἰς τὸν κόλπον of the Father would be inappropriate, for the Evangelist is in the act of explaining how it is that the Only-Begotten Son was made to ‘declare’ the Father while on earth (note the aorist ἐξηγήσατο). It seems proper, therefore, to take ὥν as a timeless present, and to understand the author to mean that Jesus had declared God on earth because His inherent relation to the Father, before the Incarnation as after the Exaltation, was one of being ‘in his bosom’ (cf.  John 16:28 ‘I came out from the Father, and am come into the world’;  John 17:5-6 ‘the glory which I had with thee before the world was … I manifested [ἐφανέρωσα, aor.] thy name’). The εἰς in this case may either simply be used for ἐν, after the fashion of the constructio praegnans (cf.  Mark 13:9;  Mark 13:16,  Acts 7:4;  Acts 8:40), or, as Godet and Westcott think ( Comm. in loc. ), may point to a relationship not of simple contiguity merely, but of perfect communion realized through active intercourse. The Father’s bosom is not a place but a life. ‘The Son is there, only because He plunges into it by His unceasing action; it is so with every state which consists in a moral relation’ (Godet, ib. ).

Literature.—Grimm-Thayer, Lex., s.v. κόλτος; the Comm. on the various passages; Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible, artt. ‘Dress,’ ‘Abraham’s Bosom.’

J. C. Lambert.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Κόλπος (Strong'S #2859 — Noun Masculine — kolpos — kol'-pos )

signifies (a) "the front of the body between the arms;" hence, to recline in the "bosom" was said of one who so reclined at table that his head covered, as it were, the "bosom" of the one next to him,  John 13:23 . Hence, figuratively, it is used of a place of blessedness with another, as with Abraham in paradise,  Luke 16:22,23 (plural in ver. 23), from the custom of reclining at table in the "bosom," a place of honor; of the Lord's eternal and essential relation with the Father, in all its blessedness and affection as intimated in the phrase, "The Only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father" (  John 1:18 ); (b) "of the bosom of a garment, the hollow formed by the upper forepart of a loose garment, bound by a girdle and used for carrying or keeping things;" thus figuratively of repaying one liberally,  Luke 6:38; cp.  Isaiah 65:6;  Jeremiah 39:18; (c) "of an inlet of the sea," because of its shape, like a bosom,  Acts 27:39 . See Bay , Creek.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of OT Words

Chêyq ( חֵק , Strong'S #2436), “bosom; lap; base.” Cognates of this word appear in Akkadian, late Aramaic, and Arabic.The word appears 38 times throughout biblical literature. The word represents the “outer front of one’s body” where beloved ones, infants, and animals are pressed closely: “Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child …” (Num. 11:12). In its first biblical appearance, chêyq is used of a man’s “bosom”: “And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes …” (Gen. 16:5). The “husband of one’s bosom” is a husband who is “held close to one’s heart” or “cherished” (Deut. 28:56). This figurative inward sense appears again in Ps. 35:13: “… My prayer returned into mine own bosom” (cf. Job 19:27). In 1 Kings 22:35, the word means the “inside” or “heart” of a war chariot. )

Chêyq represents a fold of one’s garment above the belt where things are hidden: “And the Lord said furthermore unto him [Moses], Put now thine hand into thy bosom” (Exod. 4:6).

Various translations may render this word as “lap”: “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord” (Prov. 16:33). Yet “bosom” may be used, even where “lap” is clearly intended: “But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom …” (2 Sam. 12:3).

Finally, chêyq means the “base of the altar,” as described in Ezek. 43:13 (cf. Ezek. 43:17).

King James Dictionary

BO'SOM, n. s as z.

1. The breast of a human being and the parts adjacent. 2. The folds or covering of clothes about the breast.

Put thy hand in thy bosom.  Exodus 4

3. Embrace, as with the arms inclosure compass often implying friendship or affection as, to live in the bosom of a church. 4. The breast, as inclosing the heart or the interior of the breast, considered as the seat of the passions.

Anger resteth in the bosom of fools.  Ecclesiastes 7 .

Their soul was poured into their mother's bosom.  Lamentations 2

5. The breast, or its interior, considered as a close place, the receptacle of secrets.

If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom.  Job 31

6. Any inclosed place the interior as the bosom of the earth or of the deep. 7. The tender affections kindness favor as the son of his bosom the wife of thy bosom.

He shall carry the lambs in his bosom.  Isaiah 40

8. The arms, or embrace of the arms.  Psalms 129 . 9. Inclination desire. Not used.

Bosom, in composition, implies intimacy, affection and confidence as a bosom-friend, an intimate or confidential friend bosom-lover, bosom-interest, bosom-secret, &c. In such phrases, bosom may be considered as an attribute equivalent to intimate, confidential, dear.

BO'SOM, To inclose in the bosom to keep with care.

Bosom up my counsel.

1. To conceal to hide from view.

To happy convents bosom'd deep in vines.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) Embrace; loving or affectionate inclosure; fold.

(2): (v. t.) To conceal; to hide from view; to embosom.

(3): (v. t.) To inclose or carry in the bosom; to keep with care; to take to heart; to cherish.

(4): (n.) The breast of a human being; the part, between the arms, to which anything is pressed when embraced by them.

(5): (n.) The breast, considered as the seat of the passions, affections, and operations of the mind; consciousness; secret thoughts.

(6): (a.) Intimate; confidential; familiar; trusted; cherished; beloved; as, a bosom friend.

(7): (n.) Any thing or place resembling the breast; a supporting surface; an inner recess; the interior; as, the bosom of the earth.

(8): (n.) The part of the dress worn upon the breast; an article, or a portion of an article, of dress to be worn upon the breast; as, the bosom of a shirt; a linen bosom.

(9): (n.) Inclination; desire.

(10): (n.) A depression round the eye of a millstone.

(11): (a.) Of or pertaining to the bosom.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Used symbolically for the seat of deep affection. John speaks of the Lord Jesus as the only begotten Son 'in the bosom of the Father.'  John 1:18 . The tender and sacred relationship which husband and wife have to each other is also called the 'bosom.'  Deuteronomy 28:54,56 . This to an Israelite would give force to the description of Lazarus being carried into Abraham'S Bosom  Luke 16:22,23 . By means of a loose garment and a girdle, many things are constantly carried by Orientals in the bosom, even such as a lamb.  Isaiah 40:11 : cf.  Luke 6:38 .

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Numbers 11:12 (a) This is a type of Moses' great heart of love. He complained that it was just too much for him to assume and carry the burdens of three and one-half million people as a mother carries a baby on her breast.

 Isaiah 40:11 (a) This represents the daily care of GOD for the people of Israel, His own lambs.

 Luke 6:38 (b) This is just a sweet way of saying that kindness known to those who have shown kindness fills the heart with sweet joy.

 John 1:18 (a) Christ uses this figure to tell how near He is to GOD's heart and how welcome He is in GOD's presence.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

The nearest friend reclining on a couch at a feast lay in the bosom of his friend, as John "on Jesus' bosom" ( John 13:23); Lazarus in Abraham's bosom, i.e. figuratively for in a high place at the heavenly banquet ( Luke 16:23). It implies closest and secret intimacy ( 2 Samuel 12:8): the Son in the bosom of the Father with whom He is One ( John 1:18); the lambs carried in the bosom of the Good Shepherd ( Isaiah 40:11).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The front of the upper part of the body, the breast. The orientals generally wore long wide, and loose garments; and when about to carry any thing away that their hands would not contain, they used for the purpose a fold in the bosom of their robe above the girdle,  Luke 6:38 . Our Savior is said to carry his lambs in his bosom, which beautifully represents his tender care and watchfulness over them,  Isaiah 40:11 .

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 16:5 2 Samuel 12:8 John 1:18 John 13:23 Isaiah 40:11

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

See Accubation .

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

booz´um  : In the ordinary signification of the anterior upper portion of the trunk of the body, חוק , ḥōḳ or חיק , ḥēḳ , "inlet, "lap" ( Exodus 4:6 ,  Exodus 4:7;  Numbers 11:12;  Deuteronomy 13:6;  Deuteronomy 28:54 ,  Deuteronomy 28:56; Rth 4:16;  Psalm 74:11;  Isaiah 65:6 ,  Isaiah 65:7;  Lamentations 2:12 ). "A present in the bosom" ( Proverbs 21:14 ): bribes carried ready for use in the fold of the robe. חצן , ḥēcen = "bosom" (with special reference to that portion of the body which is between the arms), occurs in  Psalm 129:7; חב , ḥōbh = "a cherisher," hence, "the bosom" ( Job 31:33 ); צלּחת , callaḥath = something advanced or deep, "a bowl"; figurative "the bosom" ( Proverbs 19:24 the King James Version;   Proverbs 26:15 the King James Version). The Greek employs κόλπος , kólpos ( Luke 6:38;  John 13:23 ). For Abraham's bosom, see separate article.

Figurative: In a figurative sense it denotes intimacy and unrestrained intercourse ( Genesis 16:5;  2 Samuel 12:8 ); tender care and watchfulness ( Isaiah 40:11 ); closest intimacy and most perfect knowledge ( John 1:18 ); "into their bosom" ( Psalm 79:12 ) indicates the bosom as the seat of thought and reflection.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(properly חֵיק , Cheyk, Κόλπος ). It is usual with the Western Asiatics to carry various sorts of things in the bosom of their dress, which forms a somewhat spacious depository, being wide above the girdle, which confines it so tightly around the waist as to prevent any thing from slipping through. Aware of this, Harmer and other Biblical illustrators rather hastily concluded that they had found an explanation of the text ( Luke 6:38), " Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom." All these expressions obviously apply, in the literal sense, to Corn; and it is certain that corn and things measured in the manner described are never carried in the bosom. They could not be placed there, or carried there, nor taken out, without serious inconvenience, and then only in a small quantity. The things carried in the bosom are simply such as Europeans would, if in the East, carry in their' pockets. Yet this habit of carrying valuable property may indicate the origin of the image, as an image, Into The Bosom, without requiring us to suppose that every thing described as being given into the bosom really was deposited there. (See Dress).

To have one in our bosom implies kindness, secrecy, intimacy ( Genesis 16:5;  2 Samuel 12:8). Christ is In ( Εἰς , into) The Bosom Of The Father; that is, possesses the closest intimacy with, and most perfect knowledge of, the Father ( John 1:18). Our Saviour is said To Carry His Lambs In His Bosom, which touchingly represents his tender care and watchfulness over them ( Isaiah 40:11). (See Abrahams Bosom).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

It is usual with the Western Asiatics to carry various sorts of things in the bosom of their dress, which forms a somewhat spacious depository, being wide above the girdle, which confines it so tightly around the waist as to prevent anything from slipping through.

To have one in our bosom implies kindness, secrecy, intimacy ( Genesis 16:5;  2 Samuel 12:8). Christ is in the bosom of the Father; that is, possesses the closest intimacy with, and most perfect knowledge of, the Father ( John 1:18). Our Savior is said to carry his lambs in his bosom, which touchingly represents his tender care and watchfulness over them.