Thigh
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Thigh in the Bible?
The thigh denotes the segment of the leg extending from the hip to the knee. In ancient Near Eastern and biblical contexts, this body part held significant cultural weight, often serving as a metonym for progeny, lineage, and strength due to its association with sexual reproduction and physical power.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the thigh's cultural symbolism as a source of strength and lineage clarifies the gravity of oath-taking rituals, such as placing a hand under the thigh, which invoked the continuity of the family line, and helps interpret passages where physical weakness or injury to the thigh signifies a loss of power or divine favor.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Thigh in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Thigh clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.