5127 back
As the part of the body used for bearing loads it is used both literally and metaphorically.
The human back used for carrying
Jesus Christ carried his cross on his back Jn 19:17 See also Mt 27:32 pp Mk 15:21 pp Lk 23:26 The shape of the cross necessitated it being carried across the shoulders and back. It appears that Jesus Christ started to carry his own cross but Simon of Cyrene took over as Christ weakened.
Weapons carried on the back 1Sa 17:6
Animals carry people and goods on their backs
Isa 30:6 See also Ex 15:1,21; 2Sa 13:29; 2Sa 16:1-2; 2Sa 18:9; 2Sa 19:26; 2Ki 18:23 pp Isa 36:8; Isa 21:7; Isa 30:16; Jer 6:23; Hag 2:22; Rev 9:17
Riding on the backs of animals may indicate royalty or privilege Zec 9:9 See also 1Ki 1:33,38,44 Nobility and wealth: Jdg 5:10; Jdg 10:4; Jdg 12:14 Authority: Rev 6:1-8; Rev 19:11-21
Jesus Christ mounted a donkey for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem Mt 21:7-9 pp Mk 11:7-11 pp Lk 19:35-38 See also Jn 12:13-15
Carrying a burden on the back represents bearing suffering and trials
Ps 66:11 See also Ps 38:4; Ecc 1:13; Ecc 3:10; Mt 11:28-30
Injury to the back
Jdg 3:22; 2Sa 2:23; Job 20:24-25
Pain in the back causing anguish Ps 38:7
The back endures punishment
Bending of the back indicates loss of physical strength Ps 69:23 See also Ro 11:10
Beating on the back is a punishment Pr 10:13; Pr 14:3; Pr 19:29; Pr 26:3
Beating on the back may be an unjust punishment for God’s servants Isa 50:6 See also Isa 53:4-5; Mt 21:35 pp Mk 12:3 pp Lk 20:11 The servants in the parable represent the OT prophets.
Jesus Christ endured flogging Mt 27:26 pp Mk 15:15 pp Jn 19:1 Jesus Christ becomes the suffering servant of Isaiah’s prophecies.
The apostles endured flogging 2Co 11:23-25 See also Ac 5:40; Ac 16:22-23,37; Ac 21:32; 2Co 6:5,9
Jesus Christ’s disciples should expect similar flogging Mt 10:17 See also Mt 23:34; Mk 13:9
Whipping on the back used figuratively in a warning Jos 23:12-13
Walking over the back used figuratively to indicate defeat Isa 51:23
Turning one’s back means desertion
God makes the enemies of his people flee Ex 23:27 See also 2Sa 22:41 pp Ps 18:40; Ps 21:12
Israel flees from her enemies Jos 7:12
God’s people desert him Ne 9:29 “To turn one’s back”, in these verses and the following verses, also implies a lack of respect and reverence for God and his ways. See also 2Ch 29:6; Isa 1:4; Isa 59:12-13; Jer 2:27; Jer 32:33-34; Eze 8:16
God’s people desert his instruction Zec 7:11; 2Pe 2:21
Thrusting behind one’s back means discarding
Isa 38:17 God forgives sins, putting them out of sight; Eze 23:35 See also 1Ki 14:9; Ne 9:26
God turns his back in his grace
Ex 33:22-23 To see God’s face would bring death.