שׁוֹק (shoq)
shoq
leg
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 19 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shoq generally refers to the leg or thigh of a person or animal. In most instances, it denotes the lower leg, distinguishing that part from the upper thigh. This anatomical precision appears in descriptions of human bodies, such as when priests are instructed to wash their hands and feet before serving in the tabernacle.
A notable shift in meaning occurs when the word describes sacrificial animals. In those contexts, shoq specifically identifies the hind leg or thigh, which was often treated as a prized portion of the meat. This usage highlights the value placed on that specific cut in ancient Israelite culture, where it might be reserved for special meals or offerings.
The word appears nineteen times in the Old Testament, with significant occurrences in the legal texts of Leviticus and Numbers. These passages often involve ritual purity or dietary regulations, grounding the term in the practical realities of temple service and community life rather than abstract theology.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shoq, meaning leg or thigh, appears in the Old Testament with both practical and symbolic weight. In legal texts, it often refers to the hind leg of a sacrificial animal, a prized portion reserved for priests as a sign of their service to God. This specific cut was not just food; it was a tangible reminder of the community’s dependence on divine provision and the honor given to those who mediated between God and His people.
Yet the word also describes human vulnerability. When used for a person, it can denote physical strength or, conversely, weakness and shame. In passages like Isaiah 47, uncovering the legs was an act of humiliation, while in Proverbs, lame legs illustrate the futility of foolish words. This duality reminds us that our physical bodies are fragile, but our spiritual standing does not rest on human power. Instead, it rests on God’s grace, which sustains us even when our own strength fails.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 19 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] thigh of11×
- the/ thigh1×
- the/ legs1×
- legs/ his1×
- legs1×
- leg1×
- in/ [the] legs of1×
- and/ like/ [the] thigh of1×
- a leg1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שׁ֣וֹק8×
- שׁ֥וֹק3×
- שׁוֹקָי/ו֙1×
- שֹׁ֭קַיִם1×
- שׁ֛וֹק1×
- שׁ֖וֹק1×
- וּ/כְ/שׁ֥וֹק1×
- הַ/שֹּׁקַ֔יִם1×
- הַ/שּׁ֨וֹק1×
- בְ/שׁוֹקֵ֖י1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 7:32
The right thigh you shall give to the priest for a heave offering out of the sacrifices of your peace offerings.
This verse establishes the right thigh as a specific portion for the priest, highlighting its value in ritual worship.
-
Isaiah 47:2
Take the millstones and grind flour. Remove your veil, lift up your skirt, uncover your legs, and wade through the rivers.
Here, uncovering the legs symbolizes public shame and vulnerability, showing the word’s use beyond physical anatomy.
-
Proverbs 26:7
Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The comparison of lame legs to a broken parable illustrates how weakness can render wisdom useless in the wrong hands.
-
Psalms 147:10
He doesn’t delight in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
This verse contrasts human physical strength with God’s delight in those who fear Him, grounding trust in divine rather than bodily power.