Associated in Hebrew thought with both death and life. A symbol of the whole person, and also the state of one's well-being.
Bones represent dead bodies
Human remains to be treated with respect
1 Samuel 31:13 parallel 1 Chronicles 10:12 See also 2 Samuel 21:12–14; 1 Kings 13:31; 2 Kings 23:18; Ezekiel 39:15
Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.
Non-burial as a sign of disrespect
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Moab, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he burned to lime the bones of Edom’s king. So I will send fire against Moab to consume the citadels of Kerioth. Moab will die in tumult, amid war cries and the sound of the ram’s horn.
Non-burial as a sign of God's judgment
Psalm 53:5 See also 2 Kings 9:34–37; Psalm 141:7; Jeremiah 8:1–2; Ezekiel 24:4–5, Ezekiel 24:10
There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who besieged you. You put them to shame, for God has despised them.
Bones were considered to be unclean
Bones made anyone who touched them unclean
Numbers 19:16 See also Numbers 19:18; Matthew 23:27
Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.
Bones used to desecrate objects of pagan worship
2 Kings 23:14 See also 1 Kings 13:2; 2 Kings 23:16, 2 Kings 23:20; 2 Chronicles 34:5; Ezekiel 6:5
He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones.
Bones as a sign of hope
The hope of God's promise
Genesis 50:25 See also Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32; Hebrews 11:22 The presence of Joseph's bones among the Israelites was a constant reminder of God's promise to Joseph concerning the promised land.
And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”
The hope of life after death
Ezekiel 37:1–14 See also 2 Kings 13:21
The hope of the Passover lamb
John 19:36 See also Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20 Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of the unbroken bones of the Passover lamb.
Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”
Bones represent living individuals
Bones indicate a living body
Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see — for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
Bones represent a whole person
Psalm 35:10 “My whole being” is literally “my bones”. See also Job 2:4–5, Job 10:11; Psalm 6:2, Psalm 51:7–8; Isaiah 66:14
All my bones will exclaim, “Who is like You, O LORD, who delivers the afflicted from the aggressor, the poor and needy from the robber?”
Bones represent kinship
Genesis 2:23 Genesis 29:14; Judges 9:2; 2 Samuel 5:1 parallel 1 Chronicles 11:1; 2 Samuel 19:12–13
And the man said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man she was taken.”
Bones represent physical health
Bones associated with good health
Proverbs 15:30 See also Proverbs 3:7–8, Proverbs 16:24
The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
Bones symbolise strength and vigour
Job 21:23–24 See also Job 20:11, Job 40:18; Proverbs 25:15
One man dies full of vigor, completely secure and at ease. His body is well nourished, and his bones are rich with marrow.
Bones associated with God's protection
Psalm 34:19–20 See also John 19:36
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all. He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.
Mere skin and bone represents bad health
Job 19:20 See also Job 33:21; Psalm 102:5; Lamentations 4:8
My skin and flesh cling to my bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
Broken bones symbolise defeat or oppression
Numbers 24:8 See also Isaiah 38:13; Jeremiah 50:17; Lamentations 3:4; Daniel 6:24; Micah 3:2–3
God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.
Health can be damaged by negative attitudes
Proverbs 14:30 See also Job 4:14; Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 17:22; Habakkuk 3:16
A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Health can be damaged by sin
Psalm 38:3 See also Psalm 32:3, Psalm 109:18; Lamentations 1:13
There is no soundness in my body because of Your anger; there is no rest in my bones because of my sin.
Repentance brings restoration
Psalm 6:2 See also Psalm 51:18
Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony.
Health can be damaged through obedience to God's will
Jeremiah 23:9 See also Job 30:17, Job 33:19; Psalm 22:14, Psalm 22:17, Psalm 31:10, Psalm 42:10; Jeremiah 20:9
As for the prophets: My heart is broken within me, and all my bones tremble. I have become like a drunkard, like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD, because of His holy words.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.