Bosom, Abraham's
TextsWhat is the meaning of Bosom, Abraham's in the Bible?
Abraham's bosom is a phrase from Luke 16:22-23 describing the place of comfort and rest for the righteous dead, specifically Lazarus, prior to the final resurrection, standing in contrast to the place of torment.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this concept reveals the first-century Jewish understanding of the intermediate state of the dead, showing how Jesus used familiar cultural imagery to teach about moral accountability and the immediate consequences of earthly choices rather than providing a systematic doctrine of the afterlife.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Bosom, Abraham's functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Bosom, Abraham's in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bosom, Abraham's clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Luke 16:22-23
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Bosom, Abraham's." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/bosom-abrahams/