SHOULDER is generally the rendering of Heb. shek-em', the neck, as the place to receive a burden (Gen. xxi :14 ; xxiv :15, 45, etc.). Twice (Num. vi :Ig; Deut. xviii :3) it represents Heb.
zer-o'ah, the arm, the fore shoulder offered in sacrifice. Shoke (Heb. is used especially of the right, or " heave " shoulder ( Exod. xxix: 27; Lev. vii:32-34, etc.). haw-thaft' (Heb.
clothed) is the shoulder properly so called, as the spot from which garments are suspended (Exod. xxviii :12 ; xxxix :7), especially of the "shoulder ppieces" of the high-priest (see PRIEST, HEBREw PRIEsTimoo). In Is. xi:14 it is the peculiar name of Philistia's coast land; in Josh. used fig uratively of the shoulder of the nation. O'inbs (Gr. 6/.Los, Matt. xxiii:4 ; Luke xv:5 ) has a similar meaning with above.
The respect paid by offering the shoulder of ani mals to God, and to men of distinction, as the most delicate part, should not be overlooked. So the shoulder of the heave-offering, at the conse cration of priests was to the sanctified as above re ferred to in Exod. xxix :27, and the shoulder of the Nazarite's offering was to be waved (Num. xvi: to). So Samuel showed a mark of the greatest respect to Saul, by reserving the shoulder for his eating (I Sam. ix :24), i. e., he treated him as king
elect. It is probable that the right shoulder had the pre-eminence ; and this became the property of the priest who officiated. (Comp. Lev. vii :32, 34; viii :25 ; ix :21; x :14.) Figurative. (i) Burdens on the shoulder de note labor, servitude, oppression (Gen. xlix :15; Is. ix :4, and x :27; Ps. lxxxi :6). (2) To serve with one shoulder is to do it with one consent (Zeph. :9),. (3) To pull away the shoulder is rebelliously to refuse subjection to God's law as an unruly beast refuses to draw in a yoke (Neh. ix :29 ; Zech. vii :it). (4) To be carried on the shoulder is to be carried honorably, as royal per sons (Is. xlix :22). (5) The government is on Christ's shoulder; the whole care and rule of the church is committed to his power, and wisdom, and love (Is. ix :6). (6) As badges of honor and rule were worn on the shoulders, keys on the shoulder denote the power of government (Job xxxi :36; Is. xxii :22). (7) The border of a coun try ; as God dwelt between Benjamin's shoulders (Is. xi :14) ; i, e., as his temple stood on Moriah, in their border.