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Bosom (2)

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(properly חֵיק, cheyk, κόλπος). It is usual with the Western Asiatics to carry various sorts of things in the bosom of their dress, which forms a somewhat spacious depository, being wide above the girdle, which confines it so tightly around the waist as to prevent any thing from slipping through. Aware of this, Harmer and other Biblical illustrators rather hastily concluded that they had found an explanation of the text (Luke 6:38), " Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom." All these expressions obviously apply, in the literal sense, to corn; and it is certain that corn and things measured in the manner described are never carried in the bosom. They could not be placed there, or carried there, nor taken out, without serious inconvenience, and then only in a small quantity. The things carried in the bosom are simply such as Europeans would, if in the East, carry in their' pockets. Yet this habit of carrying valuable property may indicate the origin of the image, as an image, into the bosom, without requiring us to suppose that every thing described as being given into the bosom really was deposited there. (See DRESS).

To have one in our bosom implies kindness, secrecy, intimacy (Genesis 16:5; 2 Samuel 12:8). Christ is in (εἰς, into) the bosom of the Father; that is, possesses the closest intimacy with, and most perfect knowledge of, the Father (John 1:18). Our Saviour is said to carry his lambs in his bosom, which touchingly represents his tender care and watchfulness over them (Isaiah 40:11). (See ABRAHAMS BOSOM).