In biblical literature, the term "thighs" often carries significant symbolic and cultural meanings, reflecting both physical and covenantal aspects. The thigh is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, serving as a symbol of strength, oath-taking, and even vulnerability.

Symbol of Strength and Power

The thigh is frequently associated with strength and power in the Bible. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the thigh was considered a source of physical strength. This is evident in passages where warriors are described, such as in Psalm 45:3, "Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor." Here, the imagery of a sword strapped to the thigh underscores readiness and strength.

Oath-Taking and Covenant

The thigh also plays a crucial role in the context of oath-taking and covenant-making. In Genesis 24:2-3, Abraham instructs his servant to place his hand under his thigh as he swears an oath: "So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, 'Place your hand under my thigh, and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling.'" This act of placing a hand under the thigh was a solemn gesture, signifying the seriousness and binding nature of the promise being made. It is believed that this practice symbolized invoking the strength and progeny of the patriarch, thus emphasizing the gravity of the covenant.

Vulnerability and Judgment

The exposure of the thighs is sometimes used to depict vulnerability and shame. In Isaiah 47:2-3, the humiliation of Babylon is described: "Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil, lift up your skirts, bare your legs, and wade through the streams. Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one." The baring of the thighs here symbolizes the exposure and disgrace that comes with divine judgment.

Prophetic Imagery

In prophetic literature, the thigh can also be part of vivid imagery used to convey messages from God. For instance, in Ezekiel 21:12, the prophet is instructed to "Cry out and wail, O son of man, for it is against My people; it is against all the princes of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with My people. Strike your thigh in grief." The act of striking the thigh is a gesture of mourning and lamentation, highlighting the severity of the impending judgment.

Cultural and Ritual Significance

In the cultural and ritual practices of ancient Israel, the thigh had specific significance. The right thigh of a sacrificial animal was often given to the priest as a portion of the offering, as seen in Leviticus 7:32-33: "You are to give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from your peace offering. The son of Aaron who presents the blood and fat of the peace offering shall have the right thigh as a portion." This allocation underscores the importance of the thigh in sacrificial rituals, symbolizing the sharing of strength and sustenance with the priesthood.

In summary, the biblical references to thighs encompass a range of meanings, from strength and covenant to vulnerability and ritual significance. These references reflect the multifaceted role of the thigh in the cultural, religious, and symbolic life of ancient Israel.3410. yarkah -- thigh, loin
... 3409, 3410. yarkah. 3411 . thigh, loin. Transliteration: yarkah Phonetic
Spelling: (yar-kaw') Short Definition: thighs. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3410.htm - 6k

6344. pachad -- thigh
... 6343, 6344. pachad. 6345 . thigh. Transliteration: pachad Phonetic Spelling:
(pakh'-ad) Short Definition: thighs. Word Origin probably ...
/hebrew/6344.htm - 6k

3689. kesel -- loins, stupidity, confidence
... Word Origin from kasal Definition loins, stupidity, confidence NASB Word Usage
confidence (4), folly and the foolishness (1), foolish (1), loins (6), thighs (1 ...
/hebrew/3689.htm - 6k

3409. yarek -- thigh, loin, side, base
... derivation Definition thigh, loin, side, base NASB Word Usage base (3), direct
(2), hips (1), loins (1), ruthlessly* (1), side (7), thigh (18), thighs (1). ...
/hebrew/3409.htm - 6k

Translated from the Greek.
... need is there to mention also that it was predicted of Christ [2820] that then would
the rulers fail from Judah, and the leaders from his thighs, [2821] when ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

Jesus Hanging on the Cross Between Two Thieves.
... His legs and thighs, as also his arms, were stretched out almost to dislocation,
the flesh and muscles so completely laid bare that every bone was visible, and ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xli jesus hanging on.htm

Chapter vii
... 1. How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy
thighs are like jewels the work of the hands of a cunning workman. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter vii.htm

Verse 1. What Will Ye See in the Shulamite, but the Companies of ...
... How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs
are like jewels; the work of the hands of a cunning workman. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/verse 1 what will ye.htm

Shall Speak Now with the Utmost Brevity of the Veil of Moses and ...
... and this also is his testament; [1957] for he says in the law: [1958] "A prince
shall not be wanting from Judah, nor a leader from his thighs, [1959] until He ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/43 i shall speak now.htm

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... we to say of this, which the prophets had beforehand foretold of Him, that princes
would not cease from Judah, nor leaders from between his thighs, until He ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... when he saw the image which stood over against him, the head of the image was of
gold, and its breast and arms of silver, and its belly and thighs of brass ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... A ruler shall not depart from Judah, nor a leader from his thighs, until he come
for whom it is reserved; and he shall be the expectation of the nations. ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

Of all the Parts of the Body.
... the shoulders projecting from it, the belly adhering to the breast; also the organs
of generation subjoined to the belly; in the last place, the thighs and feet ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap vii of all the parts.htm

Of the Lower Members.
... Also the length of the thighs drawn out, and strengthened by broader muscles, in
order that it might more easily sustain the weight of the body; and as this is ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap xiii of the lower members.htm

Thighs (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Thighs (11 Occurrences). ... Job 15:27 because he has covered
his face with his fatness, and gathered fat on his thighs. (WEB NAS). ...
/t/thighs.htm - 9k

Waist (36 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Exodus 28:42 You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their
nakedness; from the waist even to the thighs they shall reach: (WEB NIV). ...
/w/waist.htm - 17k

Joints (7 Occurrences)
... O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work
of the hands of a cunning workman. (KJV WBS). Ezekiel 13:18 ...
/j/joints.htm - 9k

Breeches (6 Occurrences)
... 44:17, 18). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n. pl.) A garment worn by men, covering
the hips and thighs; smallclothes. 2. (n. pl.) Trousers; pantaloons. Int. ...
/b/breeches.htm - 12k

Thigh (38 Occurrences)
... The thighs were thought to play a part in procreation (Genesis 46:26 Exodus 1:5,
English Versions of the Bible "loins"; Judges 8:30, English Versions of the ...
/t/thigh.htm - 22k

Belly (62 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That part of the human body which extends downward from the breast to
the thighs, and contains the bowels, or intestines; the abdomen. ...
/b/belly.htm - 28k

Quake (23 Occurrences)
... took hold of you by your hand, you broke, and tore all their shoulders; and when
they leaned on you, you broke, and paralyzed all of their thighs." (See NAS). ...
/q/quake.htm - 12k

Knit (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). Job 40:17 He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews
of his thighs are knit together. (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV). ...
/k/knit.htm - 10k

Knocking (9 Occurrences)
... Daniel 5:6 Then the king's face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him;
and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and his knees struck one against ...
/k/knocking.htm - 9k

Knocked (4 Occurrences)
... Daniel 5:6 Then the king's face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him;
and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and his knees struck one against ...
/k/knocked.htm - 7k

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