the Third Week of Advent
Click here to join the effort!
Bible Encyclopedias
Flesh
The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia
or The soft portions of the animal body, internally connected with the skeleton of bones and externally enclosed by the skin (Genesis 2:21; Job 10:11). Flesh is an article of food (Daniel 7:5), generally roasted over the fire or boiled (1 Samuel 2:13,15). The word is also applied to the flesh of birds (Numbers 11:33). Otherwise, the Hebrew has, usually the word 
(Exodus 21:10; Psalms 78:20,27). In a graphic description of the oppressive tactics of the powerful, Micah charges them with eating the flesh (
) of the people, preparing it "as flesh [
] for the caldron" (Micah 3:2-3, Hebr.). Eating of flesh with the blood in it was associated with a riotous, gluttonous disposition (Proverbs 23:20). A familiar but terrible menace is that one's flesh shall be given over to the birds to eat (Gen. 19; 1 Samuel 17:44; Ezekiel 32:5).
In an enlarged sense, "flesh" assumes the meaning of "body" (Exodus 4:7; Leviticus 14:9, 19:28; 2 Kings 6:30; Zechariah 14:12) or of parts of it (Leviticus 6:10; Ezekiel 447). Employed figuratively, "flesh," soft and impressionable, is contrasted with "stone," hard and unyielding ("stony heart" as against "heart of flesh": Ezekiel 36:26).
As the corruptible and weak part of the body, "flesh" expresses weakness, as against "spirit," which indicates strength (Isaiah 31:3); in Job 6:12 it is similarly contrasted with "brass." Thence also its use as designating "man" (Jeremiah 17:5; Psalms 78:39), especially in the phrase "all flesh" for "all mankind" (Genesis 6:12-13 [A. V. "every living thing"], 6:19, 7:21; Numbers 16:22; Job 34:15; Psalms 65:2, 136:25; "All flesh is grass," Isa. 6; "the God of all flesh," Jeremiah 32:27). "Flesh," therefore, denotes also a person; "my flesh"= "I" (Psalms 16:9, 63:2); one's whole being is expressed by "my heart and my flesh" (Psalms 84:3).
The original meaning of "flesh"âclanâunderlies its use in Adam's welcome to Eve and in the designation of husband and wife as "one flesh" (Genesis 2:23-25). It is probable, if the correct reading were given in the other parts of the passage, that in Job 19:26 "in my flesh" would be found to have this meaning: His "go'el" (blood-avenger) even now liveth; from his own clan will he arise. Not to "withhold thyself from thine own flesh" (Isaiah 58:7) expresses, therefore, the obligation to help one's fellow man. In Ecclesiastes "flesh" carries the implication of carnal appetite, as the sensual part of man's being (Ecclesiastes 12:12), a use very general in the New Testament. "Take my flesh in my teeth" (Job 13:14) is an idiomatic equivalent for running dangerous risks.
The word is explained by the Talmudists as composed of the initials × = 
"shame"; ש=× =
or 
, "corruption" or "Sheol"; ×= 
, "worm" (Sotá¹ah 5a), an opinion which reflects a certain theological leaning toward the Pauline view of the sinfulness of the flesh (Romans 8:1; Colossians 2:11). Judaism knows nothing of the "mortification of the flesh" (see ABSTINENCE; ASCETICISM; Body); the vows of castigation are called "nidre 'innui hanefesh," not "ha-basar" (Yer. Ned. 11:42c). The "mortifications" on Yom ha-Kippurim consist inabstaining from eating and drinking, washing, ointments, shoes, and cohabitation (Yoma 76a). "Flesh and fish" represents substantial food as against a vegetable diet (Shab. 140b; compare the English expression "neither flesh, fowl, nor fish," or the German "weder Fisch noch Fleisch").
These files are public domain.
Singer, Isidore, Ph.D, Projector and Managing Editor. Entry for 'Flesh'. 1901 The Jewish Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tje/f/flesh.html. 1901.
