In biblical literature, the term "cheeks" often symbolizes various aspects of human emotion, expression, and interaction. The cheeks are mentioned in several contexts throughout the Bible, each carrying its own significance and cultural connotations.

Symbol of Beauty and Attraction

In the Song of Solomon, the cheeks are highlighted as a feature of beauty and attraction. The poetic language of this book often uses physical attributes to express love and admiration. For instance, Song of Solomon 1:10 states, "Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels." Here, the cheeks are adorned and celebrated, symbolizing the beloved's allure and the deep affection between the lovers.

Expression of Emotion

Cheeks can also be indicative of emotional states. Blushing, for example, is a natural response that can signify modesty, shame, or excitement. While the Bible does not explicitly mention blushing cheeks, the concept of facial expressions reflecting inner emotions is a recurring theme. In the context of biblical narratives, the face, including the cheeks, often reveals the heart's condition.

Symbol of Suffering and Humiliation

The act of striking or smiting the cheek is a powerful symbol of humiliation and suffering. In the prophetic book of Micah, the imagery of striking the cheek is used to depict disgrace and subjugation. Micah 5:1 states, "Now, O daughter of troops, mobilize your troops; a siege is set against us. They will strike the judge of Israel on the cheek with a rod." This act of violence against the cheek signifies an affront to dignity and authority.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the concept of turning the other cheek as a response to personal offense. In Matthew 5:39 , He teaches, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." This instruction emphasizes the principles of non-retaliation and forgiveness, encouraging believers to respond to wrongdoing with grace and humility.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the face, including the cheeks, was often associated with honor and respect. To strike someone on the cheek was not only a physical assault but also a symbolic gesture of insult and dishonor. The biblical references to cheeks must be understood within this cultural framework, where physical gestures carried deep social and relational meanings.

Conclusion

The biblical references to cheeks encompass a range of meanings, from beauty and attraction to suffering and humility. These references provide insight into the cultural and emotional dimensions of human interaction as depicted in the Scriptures. Through these varied contexts, the Bible uses the imagery of cheeks to convey profound truths about love, dignity, and the call to live out the values of the Kingdom of God.3895. lechi -- jaw, cheek
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition jaw, cheek NASB Word Usage cheek
(6), cheeks (4), jaw (1), jawbone (4), jaws (4), two cheeks (1). ...
/hebrew/3895.htm - 6k

His Cheeks are as a Bed of Spices, Prepared by the Perfumers; his ...
... CHAPTER V. 13. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, prepared by the perfumers;
His lips like lilies, dropping choice myrrh. The cheeks ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/13 his cheeks are as.htm

Thy Cheeks are Comely as a Turtle Dove's; Thy Neck as Jewels.
... CHAPTER I. 9. Thy cheeks are comely as a turtle dove's; thy neck as jewels. The
cheeks signify the interior and exterior; they are comely as a turtle dove's. ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/9 thy cheeks are comely.htm

Thy Lips are as a Scarlet Fillet; and Thy Speech is Sweet. Thy ...
... CHAPTER IV. 3. Thy lips are as a scarlet fillet; and thy speech is sweet. Thy cheeks
are like a piece of pomegranate, besides that which is hidden within. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/3 thy lips are as.htm

As the Rind of a Pomegranate are Thy Cheeks, Besides that which is ...
... CHAPTER VI. 6. As the rind of a pomegranate are thy cheeks, besides that
which is hidden within. As the rind of the pomegranate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/6 as the rind of.htm

The Lovliest Rose in the World
... The rose that is the expression of the highest and purest love springs from the
blooming cheeks of my sweet child when, strengthened by sleep, it opens its ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the lovliest rose in the.htm

While Vergilius, Going Slowly, was Thinking of These Things...
... "Too late; I fear he knows it now"the wretch!" said Arria, rubbing her cheeks to
make them glow. ... "Beautiful! And best of all that in your cheeks. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 7 while vergilius going.htm

Against Embellishing the Body.
... So those women who wear gold, occupying themselves in curling at their locks, and
engaged in anointing their cheeks, painting their eyes, and dyeing their hair ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

But, Says Some One, "Are These Things to be Understood of the Lord ...
... Christ the Lord Himself therefore in His own person, says, "I gave My back to the
scourges, and My cheeks to the palms, I turned not away My face from shame ...
/.../21 but says some one.htm

The Child Moses.
... With tears running down her cheeks, this Hebrew mother turned away, praying, as
she went, that all would be well with her little child; while Miriam, going a ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the child moses.htm

Voluntary Suffering
... Voluntary Suffering Isaiah 50:6. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to
them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xviii voluntary suffering.htm

Cheeks (8 Occurrences)
...Cheeks (8 Occurrences). ... Job 16:10 They gape upon me with their mouth; they smite
my cheeks reproachfully; they range themselves together against me. (DBY YLT). ...
/c/cheeks.htm - 8k

Blush (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To become suffused with red in the cheeks, as from a sense of shame, modesty,
or confusion; to become red from such cause, as the cheeks or face. ...
/b/blush.htm - 11k

Flask (15 Occurrences)
... frame which holds the sand, etc., forming the mold used in a foundry; it consists
of two or more parts; viz., the cope or top; sometimes, the cheeks, or middle ...
/f/flask.htm - 11k

Temples (17 Occurrences)
... TEMPLES. tem'-p'lz (raqqah, "thinness," "upper cheeks"): The original signifies
the thinnest part of the skull (Judges 4:21, 22; Judges 5:26). ...
/t/temples.htm - 13k

Maw (2 Occurrences)
... It is derived from a root designating "hollowed out." It is mentioned alongside
of the shoulder and the two cheeks of ox and sheep, which are the priest's ...
/m/maw.htm - 8k

Plump (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) Well rounded or filled out; full; fleshy; fat; as, a plump baby; plump
cheeks. ... 3. (v.) To grow plump; to swell out; as, her cheeks have plumped. ...
/p/plump.htm - 7k

Cheek (9 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Those pieces of a machine, or of any timber, or stone work, which form
corresponding sides, or which are similar and in pair; as, the cheeks (jaws) of ...
/c/cheek.htm - 12k

Cheekbone (1 Occurrence)

/c/cheekbone.htm - 8k

Vermilion (2 Occurrences)
... in printing, etc. 2. (n.) Hence, a red color like the pigment; a lively and
brilliant red; as, cheeks of vermilion. 3. (vt) To color ...
/v/vermilion.htm - 7k

Ornamental (4 Occurrences)
... purple 'are' her clothing. (YLT). Song of Songs 1:10 Thy cheeks are comely
with bead-rows, Thy neck with ornamental chains. (DBY). ...
/o/ornamental.htm - 7k

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Cheeks: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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