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Glite Dictionary
Abraham's bosom

Abraham's bosom

9.9
A peaceful place where the souls of good people rest after death in the Bible
  • noun
  • /ˈeɪbrəˌhæmz ˈbʊzəm/
  • Archaic
translation icon : seno de Abraham
  • Many believe that the righteous go to Abraham's bosom after death.

Examples

  • He believed that after death, the souls of the faithful would be received into Abraham's bosom.

  • In ancient texts, Abraham's bosom is depicted as a place of rest for the righteous.

  • The parable in the Bible describes Lazarus being carried to Abraham's bosom.

  • In the parable, the poor man was carried to Abraham's bosom.

  • In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the beggar was taken to Abraham's bosom after he died.

  • According to scripture, the righteous are welcomed into Abraham's bosom, a place of eternal peace.

  • Many believe that upon death, good souls go to Abraham's bosom as a reward for their faith.

Synonyms

bosom of Abraham
vsAbraham's bosom
  • Literature
9.9

A place in heaven where good people rest in peace after death

is the same comforting paradise idea but named with a different word order

Surface Forms

Abraham's bosom singular
Abraham's bosoms plural

Morphology

Abraham's + bosom

The noun 'bosom' conveys a clear sense of closeness, protection, or embrace, so a learner who knows both words can infer a metaphorical place of safety connected to Abraham. However, understanding that this specifically denotes the abode of the righteous after death requires biblical/cultural knowledge beyond the literal constituents, making the full meaning not fully predictable for a general B1 learner.

Etymology

Abraham's bosom comes from a story in the Bible where the poor man Lazarus is carried to the lap of Abraham; 'bosom' means the chest or lap where someone is held. That's why Abraham's bosom now means a peaceful, safe place for souls 'after death'.