Original Word: יָרֵךְ
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: yarek
Pronunciation: yah-REK
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rake')
KJV: X body, loins, shaft, side, thigh
NASB: thigh, side, base, direct, hips, loins, thighs
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to be soft]

1. the thigh (from its fleshy softness)
2. by euphem. the generative parts
3. (figuratively) a shank, flank, side

body, loins, shaft, side, thigh

From an unused root meaning to be soft; the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphem. The generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side -- X body, loins, shaft, side, thigh.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
thigh, loin, side, base
NASB Translation
base (3), direct (2), hips (1), loins (1), ruthlessly* (1), side (7), thigh (18), thighs (1).

יָרֵךְ noun feminine^{Numbers 5:27} thigh, loin, side, base (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic יַרְכָּא; Zinjirli ירך loin; Assyrian arku, arkâtu, back, rear, hereafter Dl^{HWB 242}; Arabic hip) — absolute יָרֵךְ Judges 15:8 6t.; construct יֶ֫רֶךְ Genesis 24:9 11t. + 2 Samuel 3:27 (see below); suffix יְרֵכִי Genesis 24:2; Genesis 47:29; יְרֵכֵךְ Numbers 5:21; יְרֵכוֺ Genesis 32:26 6t.; יְרֵכָהּ Exodus 25:31+ 3t.; dual יְרֵכַיִם Exodus 28:42; suffix יְרֵכַיִךְ Cant 7:2; —

1 thigh,

a. outside of thigh, where sword was worn, שִׂים חֶרֶב עַליְֿרֵכוֺ Exodus 32:27 (E); וַיַחְגֹּר אֹתָהּ עַליֶֿרֶךְ יְמִינוֺ Judges 3:16 and he girded it upon his right thigh, Judges 3:21; Psalm 45:4; Songs 3:8; כַּף הַיָּרֵךְ Genesis 32:33 hollow of the thigh, Genesis 32:26 (twice in verse); Genesis 32:33 (all J); חַמּוּקֵי יְרֵכַיִךְ Cant 7:2 the roundings of thy thighs; מִמָּתְנַיִם וְעַדיְֿרֵכַיִם Exodus 28:42 (P); "" בֶּטֶן Numbers 5:21,22,27 (P); צֹלֵעַ עַליְֿרֵכוֺ Genesis 32:32 (J), limping upon his thigh; סָפַק עַליָֿרֵח Jeremiah 31:19 and (with אֶלֿ) Ezekiel 21:17, smite upon, thigh, in token of consternation; וַיַּךְ אוֺתָם שׁוֺק עַלֿ יָרֵךְ Judges 15:8 and he smote them, hip upon thigh, a great slaughter.

b. thigh = loins, as seat of procreative power (RS^{K. 34}; Semitic i, 360 (380)) יֹצְאֵי ירך those proceeding from the loins of any one Genesis 46:26; Exodus 1:5 (both P), Judges 8:30; hence שִׂים יַד תַּחַת ירך place the hand under thigh, in taking oath Genesis 24:2,9 (J), Genesis 47:29.

2 side (flank) of altar 2 Kings 16:14; Leviticus 1:11 (P); of tabernacle Exodus 40:22,24; Numbers 3:29,35 (all P); also יֶרֶךְ הַשַּׁעַר (for ᵑ0 ׳תּוֺךְ הַשּׁ) ᵐ5 Th We Dr Bu Kit.

3 base (loins) of candlestick Exodus 25:31; Exodus 37:17; Numbers 8:4 (all P).

Range of Meaning

יָרֵךְ (yārēḵ) designates the upper leg in man or beast, including the hip-socket, the loins, and by extension the reproductive region. The breadth of the term allows it to function both literally (physical body parts) and figuratively (strength, offspring, covenant).

Physical and Anatomical Usage

• The most vivid anatomical scene is Jacob’s wrestle at Peniel, where “He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was dislocated” (Genesis 32:25; cf. 32:31-32). The permanent limp that followed reminds the reader that even the patriarch’s natural strength must submit to Yahweh.
• In everyday description yārēḵ can be aesthetically positive, as in Song of Solomon 7:1, or neutrally physical, as in Song of Solomon 3:8 and Psalm 45:3 where a warrior’s sword is strapped to the thigh, the location symbolizing readiness and power.
• Judges 15:8 uses the idiom “hip and thigh” to record Samson’s overwhelming slaughter of the Philistines, indicating a decisive and exhaustive victory.

Symbol of Strength and Warfare

A weapon fastened to the thigh signals might in battle (Judges 3:16, 21; Psalm 45:3). Enveloped in poetic praise, the royal Warrior Messiah is exhorted: “Strap Your sword at Your side, O Mighty One” (Psalm 45:3). The placement conveys instantaneous access to offensive power.

Place of Covenant Oath

Placing the hand “under the thigh” occurs only in Genesis 24:2, 9 and 47:29. Abraham’s servant swears to secure a spouse for Isaac; Joseph swears to bury Jacob in Canaan. The gesture places the oath-taker’s hand near the generative organs—the locus of posterity—binding the oath to the covenant promises of seed. The same God who guaranteed offspring (Genesis 12:7) is invoked as witness.

Seat of Procreative Power

Origin and posterity are conveyed by yārēḵ. “All the persons who came from Jacob’s loins were seventy” (Exodus 1:5). The loins are the fountainhead of the family line, giving the expression a genealogical nuance. Hebrews 7:10 builds on this Hebrew idiom when it asserts that Levi paid tithes “while still in the body of his ancestor.”

Instrument of Discipline and Judgment

Numbers 5:21-27 employs “your thigh will waste away” as part of the ordeal for adultery. The threatened curse strikes the very area of suspected sin, enforcing moral purity within Israel’s camp. Similarly, Deuteronomy 28:35 warns of an incurable disease “from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head,” including the loins; bodily affliction illustrates covenant curses for disobedience.

Liturgical and Priestly Considerations

Priestly modesty is safeguarded: “Make linen undergarments … to cover their nakedness from the waist to the thighs” (Exodus 28:42). Exposure of the thigh in sanctuary service would profane holiness (cf. Exodus 20:26). The garments emphasize the necessity of moral and ceremonial purity for those who serve at the altar.

Figures of Speech and Idioms

• “Hip and thigh” (Judges 15:8) = utter defeat.
• “To loosen the loins” (Isaiah 45:1, using a related verb) = disarming an opponent.
• “Covering the thighs” = modesty; “uncovering the thigh” = humiliation or judgment (Isaiah 47:2-3).

Prophetic Imagery

Isaiah 47:2-3 paints Babylon as a proud virgin compelled to bare her thigh while crossing rivers—symbolic exposure that anticipates her overthrow. In Ezekiel’s indictment of Jerusalem’s harlotries, exposure of the loins (Ezekiel 16:7, 37) magnifies covenant infidelity.

Spiritual and Ministry Insights

1. Human strength must yield to divine sovereignty (Jacob).
2. Covenantal faithfulness should govern all pledges (Abraham’s servant, Joseph).
3. Moral purity extends to thoughts and actions involving sexuality, underscored by priestly clothing laws and the ordeal of jealousy.
4. Victory in spiritual warfare demands readiness; the sword on the thigh images constant preparedness with God’s Word (cf. Ephesians 6:17).

Inter-Testamental and New Testament Resonance

Greek μηρός (lēros) carries the same physical idea. Revelation 19:16 depicts the triumphant Christ with a name written “on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS,” echoing Psalm 45:3 and highlighting the Warrior-King’s final victory, fulfilling the earlier scriptural symbolism of strength and covenant authority resident at the thigh.

Summary

Yārēḵ threads through Scripture as a locus of power, procreation, promise, and purity. Whether marking patriarchal covenants, prophetic judgments, or priestly regulations, the thigh underscores the Creator’s claim on human strength and sexuality and ultimately points to the Messiah in whom covenant, strength, and holiness converge.

הַיָּרֵ֔ךְ הירך יְרֵכ֑וֹ יְרֵכ֔וֹ יְרֵכִ֑י יְרֵכִֽי׃ יְרֵכֵךְ֙ יְרֵכַ֔יִךְ יְרֵכַ֖יִם יְרֵכָ֑הּ יְרֵכָ֣הּ יְרֵכָ֥הּ יְרֵכֽוֹ׃ יֶ֣רֶךְ יֶ֥רֶךְ יֶ֧רֶךְ יֶֽרֶךְ־ יָרֵ֑ךְ יָרֵ֖ךְ יָרֵ֣ךְ יָרֵֽךְ׃ ירך ירך־ ירך׃ ירכה ירכו ירכו׃ ירכי ירכי׃ ירכיך ירכים ירכך haiyaRech hay·yā·rêḵ hayyārêḵ yā·rêḵ yaRech yārêḵ yə·rê·ḵa·yiḵ yə·rê·ḵa·yim yə·rê·ḵāh yə·rê·ḵêḵ yə·rê·ḵî yə·rê·ḵōw ye·reḵ ye·reḵ- Yerech yereChah yereChayich yereChayim yerecheCh yereChi yereCho yereḵ yereḵ- yərêḵāh yərêḵayiḵ yərêḵayim yərêḵêḵ yərêḵî yərêḵōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts