In the Old Testament denotes (1) a particular part of the body of man and animals ( Genesis 2:21 ; 41:2 ; Psalm 102:5 , marg.); (2) the whole body ( Psalm 16:9 ); (3) all living things having flesh, and particularly humanity as a whole ( Genesis 6:12,13 ); (4) mutability and weakness ( 2 Chronicles 32:8 ; Compare Isaiah 31:3 ; Psalm 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 ; 8:8,9 ), and to live "according to the flesh" is to live and act sinfully ( Romans 8:4,5,7,12 ). 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 ).
Source
- part_of
source-manifest/easton— Easton's Bible Dictionary (PD)