In the context of the Bible, the term "elbows" is not directly mentioned in the text. However, the concept of elbows can be inferred through various descriptions of human anatomy and actions involving the arms. The elbow, as a joint connecting the upper arm to the forearm, plays a crucial role in the movement and function of the arm, which is frequently referenced in Scripture.

Symbolism and Functionality

The arm, including the elbow, is often symbolic of strength and power in the Bible. For instance, the "arm of the Lord" is a metaphor for God's mighty power and intervention in human affairs. While the elbow itself is not explicitly mentioned, its function as a pivotal joint is essential for the actions attributed to the arm.

Biblical References to Arms and Strength

In the Old Testament, the arm is frequently associated with God's deliverance and strength. For example, in Exodus 6:6 , God promises deliverance to the Israelites: "Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.’" Here, the "outstretched arm" signifies God's powerful intervention.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 5:15 , the remembrance of God's deliverance is tied to His mighty arm: "Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm."

Human Actions and Elbows

While the Bible does not specifically mention elbows, the actions that involve the use of arms, such as reaching, lifting, and embracing, implicitly involve the elbow joint. These actions are often used to convey messages of support, strength, and compassion. For instance, in Isaiah 40:11 , the imagery of God as a shepherd carrying His flock involves the use of arms: "He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young."

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, physical gestures involving the arms, such as raising or extending them, were significant in both worship and daily life. The elbow, as part of the arm, would have been involved in these gestures, whether in acts of labor, battle, or worship. The strength and dexterity provided by the elbow joint would have been essential for tasks such as wielding tools or weapons, activities often mentioned in biblical narratives.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly reference elbows, the joint's role in the function of the arm is implicit in the many passages that speak of arms as symbols of strength, power, and divine intervention. The elbow's contribution to the movement and capability of the arm underscores its importance in the biblical context of human action and divine metaphor.

Of the Figures and Limbs of Animals.
... and round towards one part, and that plainly in those places where only it was
necessary for the limbs to be bent, as in the knees, and in the elbows, and in ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap v of the figures and.htm

Caput xv.
... what the elbows and the hands? what the heart? ... The shoulders and elbows, and further,
the hands, denote the power of making, and operating, and accomplishing. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput xv.htm

Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph
... They caused the full sleeves to puff out at the shoulders, elbows, and wrists.
The sleeves ended in a white frill of silk or wool, I think. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/vii marriage of the blessed.htm

The Lone Man who Went Before
... farmers, dwellers in the city and country, scholars and tradesmen, crude and refined,
richly clad and ragged,"all sorts contentedly rubbed elbows and jostled ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/the lone man who went.htm

The Right to Regulate My Private Affairs as I Wish
... When she comes out in gay colors that are not worn in that backward area, or in
short sleeves when everyone else has elbows duly covered, her senior missionary ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 4 the right to.htm

Arrival
... Yet to an every day passer-by neither when he travels across the Brooklyn bridge
rubbing elbows with the scores of the masses of humanity that hasten their way ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter ii arrival.htm

The Conflict with Evil
... Since selfish ability elbows its way to controlling positions in business, politics,
and society, the character reactions of such men are a force with which ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter x the conflict with.htm

The Noviceship
... Rome in 1567, meeting Stanislaus Kostka, would see a handsome, pleasant-looking
Polish boy of seventeen, with his sleeves rolled up above his elbows, with an ...
/.../chapter xiii the noviceship.htm

A Friend for the Sorrowful
... They lay down on their left side, and they had cushions to put their elbows on,
so that they could raise themselves up while they were eating. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter vii a friend for.htm

Motives to the Oversight of the Flock
... And when you think you have done something, you leave the seed among the fowls of
the air; wicked men are at their elbows to rise up and contradict all you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 3 motives to.htm

Elbows (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Elbows (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 13:18 and say,
Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew pillows ...
/e/elbows.htm - 6k

Kerchiefs (2 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:18 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew pillows
on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature ...
/k/kerchiefs.htm - 7k

Out (29154 Occurrences)
... etc., in, or into, a state of freedom, openness, disclosure, publicity, etc.; as,
the sun shines out; he laughed out, to be out at the elbows; the secret has ...
/o/out.htm - 9k

Lengths (2 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:18 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew pillows
on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature ...
/l/lengths.htm - 7k

Ensnare (15 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:18 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew pillows
on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature ...
/e/ensnare.htm - 10k

Elcia

/e/elcia.htm - 6k

Elbow (1 Occurrence)

/e/elbow.htm - 7k

Meals (8 Occurrences)
... custom had been largely introduced of having broad couches, forming three sides
of a small square, the guests reclining at ease on their elbows during meals ...
/m/meals.htm - 27k

Pads (2 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:18 and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the women that sew pillows
upon all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every ...
/p/pads.htm - 7k

Pillows (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:18 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew pillows
on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature ...
/p/pillows.htm - 8k

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