SHOULDER (שְׁכֶמ֒, H8900, כָּתֵף, H4190; ὦμος, G6049, shoulder, βράχιον, arm).

This word is used a number of times in the Bible both literally and figuratively. In both cases the shoulder is usually shown as the part of the body bearing a burden. This is natural since it is the only part of the body with an appreciable horizontal portion.

The ancients carried heavy objects such as water jars on the shoulder (Gen 21:14). The shepherd who found his lost sheep (Luke 15:5) is depicted as carrying it back upon his shoulders. There is an echo here of Yahweh’s dealings with His children in Deut 33:12. Both these portions illustrate man’s helplessness and total dependence on God in dealing with personal sin.

Figuratively, shoulder usually indicates submission, whether it be to an unwelcome burden or an accepted responsibility. Matthew, in reference to the unnecessary laws imposed on man by the Pharisees instead of true commitment to God, says “they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders” (Matt 23:4). Isaiah relates the Lord’s promise to break the Assyrians’ yoke upon His people and remove the burden from their shoulders (Isa 14:25). The early priests were instructed to wear an ephod with a stone on the shoulder pieces in which were engraved the names of the tribes (Exod 28:1-12). This meant that the priests bore the responsibility of the people’s spiritual life. Finally, Isaiah, speaking prophetically of Christ, referred to the responsibility of judgment when he said “the government will be upon his shoulder” (Isa 9:6).