The Hebrew word shad, represented by H7699, refers to the breast, pap, or teat. It appears 24 times across 24 unique verses in the Bible. While its primary meaning is anatomical, the term is used to convey profound concepts of nourishment, blessing, intimacy, and a nation's relationship with God.
In biblical literature, H7699 is used in several distinct contexts. It signifies the earliest stage of life and dependence, as when Job questions why he was given "the breasts that I should suck" Job 3:12 or when Isaiah describes those "drawn from the breasts" Isaiah 28:9. The term is also a symbol of divine blessing and fertility, notably in Jacob's prophecy, which includes "blessings of the breasts, and of the womb" Genesis 49:25. In the Song of Solomon, it is a key element in descriptions of love and beauty, as in the praise "Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins" Song of Solomon 4:5. Prophetically, it can represent spiritual unfaithfulness, such as when Hosea calls for Israel to put away adulteries "from between her breasts" Hosea 2:2.
Several related words help illustrate the full scope of nourishment and maternity:
- H3243 yânaq (to suck): This verb describes the action directly associated with the breast, fundamental to the concept of receiving sustenance. It is used in passages describing nursing children Joel 2:16 and metaphorically, as when Zion is promised it will "suck the breast of kings" Isaiah 60:16.
- H2461 châlâb (milk): This word for the substance provided by the breast is often used in parallel. A person is "weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts" Isaiah 28:9, showing the direct connection between the source and the sustenance.
- H517 ʼêm (a mother): The breast is intrinsically linked to motherhood. The bond is highlighted in phrases like "upon my mother's breasts" Psalms 22:9 and "that sucked the breasts of my mother" Song of Solomon 8:1.
- H990 beṭen (the belly, especially the womb): This term is often paired with H7699 to encompass the full scope of maternal nurture, from gestation to infancy. The Psalmist praises God who "took me out of the womb" and gave him hope "upon my mother's breasts" Psalms 22:9.
- H1717 dad (the breast): This word for breast or teat appears alongside H7699 in Ezekiel's depiction of Israel's youthful unfaithfulness, where the "teats of their virginity" were bruised (Ezekiel 23:3, Ezekiel 23:21).
The theological weight of H7699 extends from the personal to the national.
- Divine Provision and Blessing: The term is established as a symbol of God-given prosperity. In Genesis, the Almighty's blessing includes fruitfulness of "the breasts, and of the womb" Genesis 49:25. Conversely, a curse is described as a "miscarrying womb and dry breasts" Hosea 9:14.
- National Consolation: Isaiah uses the imagery of nursing to depict Israel's future restoration. The people are told they will "suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations," signifying a time of comfort and glorious abundance provided by God through Jerusalem Isaiah 66:11.
- Symbol of Maturity and Intimacy: In the Song of Solomon, breasts represent maturity and readiness for love. The young sister who "hath no breasts" is not yet ready for marriage Song of Solomon 8:8, while the beloved, whose "breasts like towers" have found favor, is celebrated Song of Solomon 8:10.
- Metaphor for Spiritual Fidelity: The prophets use the breast to symbolize Israel's covenant relationship with God. Ezekiel's allegory of the two sisters describes their youthful idolatry in Egypt as a time when "their breasts were pressed," representing a foundational spiritual unfaithfulness Ezekiel 23:3.
In summary, H7699 is far more than a simple anatomical reference. It is a cornerstone biblical symbol for life's most foundational relationships. It carries layers of meaning, from the literal dependence of an infant on its mother to the spiritual dependence of a nation on God's provision. The word illustrates concepts of blessing, intimacy, maturity, and the profound consequences of spiritual fidelity or betrayal.
TRV