in the Old Testament denotes (1) a particular part of the body of man and animals (
Genesis 2:21 ;
41:2 ;
Psalms 102:5 , marg.); (2) the whole body (
Psalms 16:9 ); (3) all living things having flesh, and particularly humanity as a whole (
Genesis 6:12 Genesis 6:13 ); (4) mutability and weakness (
2 Chronicles 32:8 ; Compare
Isaiah 31:3 ;
Psalms 78:39 ). As suggesting the idea of softness it is used in the expression "heart of flesh" (
Ezekiel 11:19 ). The expression "my flesh and bone" (
Judges 9:2 ;
Isaiah 58:7 ) denotes relationship.
In the New Testament, besides these it is also used to denote the sinful element of human nature as opposed to the "Spirit" ( Romans 6:19 ; Matthew 16:17 ). Being "in the flesh" means being unrenewed ( Romans 7:5 ; Romans 8:8 Romans 8:9 ), and to live "according to the flesh" is to live and act sinfully ( Romans 8:4 Romans 8:5 Romans 8:7 Romans 8:12 ).
This word also denotes the human nature of Christ ( John 1:14 , "The Word was made flesh." Compare also 1 Timothy 3:16 ; Romans 1:3 ).
These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.