Breasts

On a woman, the bosom; on a man the upper part of the chest. Female breasts are primarily referred to as a means of feeding young and as a figurative description of Israel and God as nursing mothers. Beating of the breast is a sign of remorse. The breast is protected in physical and spiritual warfare.

Breasts as a symbol of fertility

Genesis 49:25

by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you, with blessings of the heavens above, with blessings of the depths below, with blessings of the breasts and womb.

Breasts as the means of feeding young

See also 1 Samuel 1:23 until they are weaned; 1 Kings 3:20; Job 3:12; Psalm 22:9; Song of Solomon 8:1; Joel 2:16; Luke 11:27 “Nursing” includes breast-feeding.

Nursing mothers and their children experience acute distress

Luke 23:29 See also Job 24:9; Matthew 24:19 parallels Mark 13:17, Luke 21:23 The implication is that children nursing at their mothers' breasts are completely vulnerable and defenceless.

Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’

Other creatures breast-feed their young

Lamentations 4:3

Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like an ostrich in the wilderness.

Female breasts are attractive

Song of Solomon 8:10 See also Proverbs 5:19; Song of Solomon 4:5, Song of Solomon 7:3, Song of Solomon 7:7–8

I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. So I have become in his eyes like one who brings peace.

Breasts are a source of temptation

Proverbs 5:20

Undeveloped breasts are a sign of youth

Song of Solomon 8:8

The figurative breasts of Israel

Jerusalem as a breasted woman

Ezekiel 16:7

I made you thrive like a plant of the field. You grew up and matured and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed and your hair grew, but you were naked and bare.

Jerusalem as a nursing mother

Isaiah 66:10–12

Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her, all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn over her, so that you may nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you may drink deeply and delight yourselves in her glorious abundance. For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flowing stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm, and bounced upon her knees.

Jerusalem as a prostitute

Ezekiel 23:3 The two sisters are Samaria and Jerusalem. See also Ezekiel 23:8, Ezekiel 23:21; Hosea 2:2 Gomer's unfaithfulness is likened to that of Israel.

and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed.

Dry breasts are a sign of God's punishment

Hosea 9:14

Give them, O LORD— what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up!

God's care exceeds that of nursing mothers

Isaiah 49:15 See also Isaiah 49:23, Isaiah 60:16 The Gentiles will be used by God to provide nursing for Israel.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

Beating of breasts

As a sign of grief

Nahum 2:7 See also Isaiah 32:12–13; Ezekiel 21:12, Ezekiel 23:34; Luke 23:48

It is decreed that the city be exiled and carried away; her maidservants moan like doves, and beat upon their breasts.

As a sign of contrition

Luke 18:13 See also Jeremiah 31:19

But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

Protection of the breast

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,

Animal breasts used in sacrificial offerings

Exodus 29:26–27; Leviticus 7:30–31, Leviticus 8:29, Leviticus 9:20–21, Leviticus 10:14–15; Numbers 6:20, Numbers 18:18