Original Word: שׁוֹק
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: showq
Pronunciation: shoke
Phonetic Spelling: (shoke)
KJV: hip, leg, shoulder, thigh
NASB: thigh, legs, leg
Word Origin: [from H7783 (שׁוּק - overflow)]

1. the (lower) leg (as a runner)

hip, leg, shoulder, thigh

From shuwq; the (lower) leg (as a runner) -- hip, leg, shoulder, thigh.

see HEBREW shuwq

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a leg
NASB Translation
leg (2), legs (4), ruthlessly* (1), thigh (12).

שׁוֺק₁₉ noun [feminine]^{Leviticus 7:33} compare Albr^{ZAW xvi (1896), 76 f.}, so Arabic, see Lane W^{AG. § 290} (δ)] leg; — ׳שׁ absolute 1 Samuel 9:24 +, construct Exodus 29:27 +; dual שֹׁקַיִם Deuteronomy 28:35; Proverbs 26:7, construct שׁוֺקֵי Psalm 147:10, suffix שׁוֺקָיו Songs 5:15; — leg:

1 of man, specifically lower leg, calf, distinguished from thigh, in עֵליָֿרֵךְ ׳וַיַּךְ אוֺתָם שׁ Judges 15:8 he smote them, leg upon thigh, i.e. utterly (compare GFM), Deuteronomy 28:35 ("" בִּרְכַּיִם), Proverbs 26:7; Psalm 147:10; Songs 5:15; of woman (city personified) Isaiah 47:2.

2 of sacrificial animal, specifically upper leg, thigh, hind leg, portion eaten 1 Samuel 9:24 (compare Klein^{ZPV vi (1883), 98, cited} also by Nes^{Marg. 13}), הַיָּמִין ׳שׁ right thigh Exodus 29:32 6t. P (see יָמִין), הַתְּדוּמָה ׳שׁ Leviticus 7:34 4t. P, thigh of contribution (see ׳ת p. 929). — ᵐ5 βραχίων, ᵑ9 armus, hence AV and others shoulder, but see Di Baen Dr^{Deuteronomy 18:3}.

שׁוק (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew I. שׁוק, שׁוֺק).

Meaning and range of reference

שׁוֹק designates the thigh or lower leg of both humans and animals, encompassing the idea of strength, support, movement and, in sacrificial contexts, an edible portion.

Cultic and priestly provisions

From Exodus through Numbers the term regularly marks the “right thigh” reserved for the priests in peace and ordination offerings (Exodus 29:22, 29:27; Leviticus 7:32-34; 8:25-26; 9:21; 10:14-15; Numbers 6:20; 18:18). This portion, waved before the LORD and then consumed by His ministers, visibly affirmed that the priesthood lived from the worship of the people and that fellowship with God always yields provision. “You are to give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from your peace offerings” (Leviticus 7:32). The permanence of this statute underscores God’s faithful care for those who serve at His altar and models the principle that gospel workers today should be supported by the offerings of the redeemed (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).

Hospitality and royal favor

When Samuel hosted Saul, the prophet signified honor by setting before him “the leg that was reserved” (1 Samuel 9:24). The finest cut, normally allotted to the priest, here became a token of divine election, foreshadowing the kingly vocation that Saul—and ultimately David’s greater Son—would receive. Hospitality shown with the שׁוֹק illustrates how covenant fellowship extends from sanctuary to table.

Symbol of strength and beauty

Physical vigor is expressed through the legs: “He takes no pleasure in the strength of the horse nor delight in the leg power of the man” (Psalm 147:10). The LORD alone is the believer’s confidence; human prowess, epitomized in muscular thighs, cannot secure salvation. Conversely, aesthetic perfection is captured in Song of Songs 5:15, where the beloved’s legs are “pillars of marble,” a poetic celebration of masculine excellence within the purity of marriage. These contrasts hold physical ability and beauty inside the broader framework of fearing the LORD.

Warning and judgment

Deuteronomy 28:35 foretells covenant curses striking “your knees and legs,” crippling the people who rely on their own strength. Isaiah 47:2 portrays Babylon forced to expose her thigh while treading rivers, a humiliating reversal of former glory. Judges 15:8 records Samson striking the Philistines “hip and thigh,” an idiom of decisive defeat. שׁוֹק therefore becomes an arena where divine judgment dismantles fleshly pride.

Figurative speech in wisdom literature

Proverbs 26:7 observes, “Like lame legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.” Legs incapable of bearing weight mirror words that fail to carry wisdom’s power. A solid proverb, like a sound leg, must be matched with righteous living.

Christological and ministry reflections

The perpetual allotment of the right thigh to the priests prefigures Christ, the true High Priest, who shares the choicest portion with those united to Him. Believers, described as “a royal priesthood,” now partake of sacrificial privileges won by His once-for-all offering. Furthermore, the recurring imagery of strong or beautiful legs finds its redemptive climax in the herald of Isaiah 52:7—“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news”—inviting every disciple to employ the strength God gives for the advance of the gospel.

Summary for teaching and application

1. שׁוֹק highlights God’s care for His servants and validates the practice of supporting vocational ministry.
2. It warns against boasting in physical prowess and urges trust in the LORD’s might.
3. It celebrates embodied beauty within covenant love, encouraging believers to honor God with their bodies.
4. It portrays judgment that cripples prideful nations, reminding the church to walk humbly.
5. It equips teachers to illustrate how a proverb (or sermon) must be lived, lest it dangle like useless legs.

Thus the thigh, both portion and metaphor, points to the sustaining grace, moral instruction and redemptive purpose woven through the whole counsel of Scripture.

בְשׁוֹקֵ֖י בשוקי הַשֹּׁקַ֔יִם הַשּׁ֨וֹק השוק השקים וּכְשׁ֥וֹק וכשוק קים שֹׁ֭קַיִם שׁ֖וֹק שׁ֛וֹק שׁ֣וֹק שׁ֥וֹק שׁוֹקָיו֙ שוק שוקיו ḇə·šō·w·qê ḇəšōwqê haš·šō·qa·yim haš·šō·wq hashShok hashshoKayim haššōqayim haššōwq kayim qa·yim qayim Shok shoKav šō·w·qāw šō·wq šōwq šōwqāw ū·ḵə·šō·wq ucheShok ūḵəšōwq veshoKeiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts