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Bosom

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Bosom in the Bible?

The bosom refers to the anterior upper torso and serves as a primary metaphor for deep intimacy, affection, and trust within familial and social hierarchies.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the cultural weight of the bosom as a symbol of closeness and protection clarifies the depth of relational language used in biblical narratives and wisdom literature.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Bosom. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Bosom in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Bosom clarify?

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." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/bosom/
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