Breast

brest: Signifying the front view of the bust in humans and the corresponding portion of the body in animals. chazeh, occurs in Exod 29:26; Exod 29:27; Lev 7:30; Lev 7:31; Lev 7:34; Lev 8:29; Lev 10:14; Lev 10:15; Num 6:20; Num 18:18; and chadhi, in Dan 2:32. shadh or shodh = "breast" in the sense of pap of a woman or animal (Job 24:9; Song 8:1; Song 8:8; Song 8:10; Isa 60:16; Lam 4:3). Only one word occurs with this signification in the New Testament: stethos = "bosom," "chest" (Luke 18:13; Luke 23:48; John 13:25; John 21:20).

See Wave Offering.

Figurative: "The breasts of virginity," pressed and bruised (Ezek 23:3; Ezek 23:8 the King James Version), indicative of Ezekiel's belief that Israel practiced idolatry in Egypt (compare Ezek 20:8). "To tear (pluck off) thy breasts" (Ezek 23:34) denotes the anguish of the people in parting with their beloved sin (compare Hos 2:2). "Its breast of silver" (Dan 2:32) is possibly expressive of the humanity and wealth of the Medo-Persian empire.

Frank E. Hirsch