Often alluded to in scripture as the place of strength, on which burdens are borne. The high priest had the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders, as in a place of safety. Ex 28:12. Of Christ it is said, when He comes to reign, the 'government shall be on his shoulder,' Isa 9:6; and, as the Good Shepherd, when He finds a lost sheep He places it on His shoulders. Lu 15:5. When God blesses Israel in their land the Gentiles will bring Israel's dispersed daughters upon their shoulders, that is, will give them substantial aid. Isa 49:22.

SHOULDER. To give or lend the shoulder for the bearing of a burden, signifies to submit to servitude. "Issachar bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute," Ge 49:15. And Isa 10:27, comforting Israel with the promise of deliverance from Assyria, says, "His burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder." The Scripture calls that a rebellious shoulder, a withdrawing shoulder, which will not submit to the yoke; and to bear it together with joint consent, is termed "serving with one shoulder." To bear any thing upon the shoulder, is to sustain it, and this is applied to government and authority. Thus Messiah was to bear the government upon his shoulder: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor," &c, Isa 9:6; and God promises Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, to give him the key of the house of David, and to lay it upon his shoulder; "so he shall open, and none shall shut, and he shall shut, and none shall open;" that is, the sole authority shall rest upon him.