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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Loin
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(usually in the dual, çֲìָöִéַí , chalatsa'yim, as the seat of strength, spoken of as the place of the girdle, Job_38:3; Job_40:7; Isa_5:27 ["reins," 11:5]; Job_32:1; or as a part of the body generally, Job_31:20; Jer_30:6 [so the Chald. plur. çִøְöַéï , Dan_5:6]; by euphemism for the generative power, Gen_35:11; 1Ki_8:19; 2Ch_6:9; also îָúְðִéַí , mothna'yin, as the seat of strength, Gr. ὀóöýò , which are the other terms properly so rendered, and refer to that part of the body simply; but ëְּñָìַéí , kesalim', Psa_38:7, means the flanks, as elsewhere rendered, prop. the internal muscles of the loins, near the kidneys, to which the fat adheres; while éְøֵëִéַí , put in (Gen_46:26; Exo_1:5; comp. Jdg_8:30, by euphemism for the seat of generation, properly signifies the thigh, as elsewhere rendered, being plainly distinguished from the true loin in Exo_28:42), the part of the back and side between the hip and the ribs, which, as being, as it were, the pivot of the body, is most sensibly affected by pain or terror (Deu_33:11; Job_40:16; Psa_38:7; Psa_69:23; Isa_21:3; Jer_30:6; Eze_21:6; Eze_29:7; Dan_5:6; Nah_2:10). This part of the body was especially girt with sackcloth, in token of mourning (Gen_37:34; 1Ki_20:31-32; Psa_66:11; Isa_20:2; Isa_32:11; Jer_48:37; Amo_8:10). The term is most frequently used with allusion to the girdle which encompassed this part of the body, i.q. the waist; especially in the phrase to "gird up the loins," i.e., prepare for vigorous effort, either literally (1Ki_18:46; 2Ki_4:29; 2Ki_9:1; Pro_31:17), or oftener as a metaphor borrowed from the loose and flowing dress of Orientals, which requires to be gathered closely at the waist, or even to have the skirts tucked up into the belt before engaging in any exertion or enterprise (Job_38:3; Job_40:7; Jer_1:17; Luk_12:35; 1Pe_1:13). SEE GIRDLE.