יָרֵךְ (ya.rekh)
ya.rekh
thigh
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 25 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun yarekh literally means "thigh," referring to the upper leg. Its etymology suggests a connection to softness, describing the fleshy part of the body. In practical terms, it denotes the area where soldiers wore their swords, as seen when Levites are told to strap them on (Exodus 32:27). It also appears in descriptions of clothing that cover the body from the loins down to the thighs (Exodus 28:42).
Beyond its physical sense, yarekh carries significant symbolic weight. It serves as a euphemism for the generative organs and is linked to procreation, such as when Abraham asks his servant to swear an oath by placing his hand under his thigh (Genesis 24:9). This act emphasizes the seriousness of the promise regarding lineage. The word also describes Jacob’s injury at Peniel, where his thigh socket was struck (Genesis 32:25), a physical mark that led to a lasting dietary custom among Israelites.
Translators sometimes render yarekh as "loins" or "side" depending on the context. In poetic passages, it can refer to the flank of an object or person, such as the shafts of a lampstand (Exodus 25:31) or the side of an altar (Exodus 40:22). This flexibility shows how the term anchors abstract concepts in tangible, bodily reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Scripture, the word for thigh often points to the source of life and lineage. When Abraham asked his servant to place a hand under his thigh to swear an oath, he was invoking the continuity of his family line. This physical act connected the promise of descendants to the very body that would carry it forward. It reminds us that our faith is not just an abstract idea but something passed down through generations, rooted in real human relationships and promises.
At other times, this word describes deep emotion or readiness. In moments of grief, striking one's thigh signals profound sorrow, while placing a sword there shows preparation for battle. These images ground our spiritual journey in the reality of the body. Whether we are facing trials that break our hearts or challenges that require courage, God sees our whole selves—mind, spirit, and flesh.
Understanding this word helps us see how Scripture values the physical world as a vessel for divine meaning. It invites us to honor our bodies and our families as part of God’s design. We can find comfort in knowing that our lives are woven into a larger story, one where every generation carries forward the faith of those who came before.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 25 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] side of6×
- thigh/ his4×
- [the] thigh of4×
- base/ its3×
- thigh/ my2×
- a thigh2×
- thigh/ your1×
- thigh/ her1×
- thigh1×
- [the] thighs1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יֶ֥רֶךְ6×
- יָרֵ֑ךְ2×
- יֶ֧רֶךְ2×
- יְרֵכָ֣/הּ2×
- יְרֵכ֔/וֹ2×
- יְרֵכ֑/וֹ2×
- יָרֵ֖ךְ1×
- יֶֽרֶךְ\־1×
- יֶ֣רֶךְ1×
- יְרֵכָ֥/הּ1×
- יְרֵכָ֑/הּ1×
- יְרֵכַ֖יִם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 24:9
The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
The servant places his hand under Abraham's thigh to swear an oath, linking the promise of descendants to the physical act of swearing.
-
Exodus 32:27
He said to them, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘Every man put his sword on his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and every man kill his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.’”
Soldiers are told to put their swords on their thighs, showing the word’s use for martial readiness and immediate action.
-
Jeremiah 31:19
Surely after that I was turned. I repented. After that I was instructed. I struck my thigh. I was ashamed, yes, even confounded, because I bore the reproach of my youth.’
The prophet strikes his thigh in shame and repentance, illustrating how the body expresses deep emotional anguish.
-
Genesis 46:26
All the souls who came with Jacob into Egypt, who were his direct offspring, in addition to Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were sixty-six.
This verse uses the term to count direct offspring, highlighting its role in describing family lineage and generational continuity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'thigh' mean in Genesis 24:9?
Why do people strike their thighs in the Bible?
Is 'thigh' always about anatomy?
Every Occurrence (25 verses across 8 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my…
Genesis 24:9The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
Genesis 46:26All the souls who came with Jacob into Egypt, who were his direct offspring, in addition to Jacob’s sons’ wives, all…
Genesis 47:29The time came near that Israel must die, and he called his son Joseph, and said to him, “If now I have found favor in…