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loinz (חלץ, hÌ£aÌ„laÌ„c, Aramaic חרץ, hÌ£ărac, מתן, moÌ„then, כּסל, kesÌ£el, ירך, yaÌ„reÌ„kh; ὀσφυÌÏ‚, osphuÌs): This variety of Hebrew synonyms seems to be used rather promiscuously for the loins, though there is no little difference in the secondary meanings of these words. They represent various modes of expressing the loins as the seat of strength and vigor (, Hebrew moÌ„then, here used of Behemoth), the center of procreative power, the portion of the body which is girded about, and is considered as specially needful of covering, even under primitive conditions of life (), and where painful disease most effectually unfits a man for work and warfare.
Jacob receives the Divine promise that “kings shall come out of (his) loins†(ḥālāc, ), and we read of 66 souls “that came out of his loins†(yārēkh) which went into Egypt (). The Epistle to the Hebrews speaks of the Levites as having come out of the loins of Abraham ().
As the seat of strength (compare LEG; THIGH), the loins are girded with belts of leather (; ), or cloth, often beautifully embroidered (), or of costly material (; f). Girded loins are a sign of readiness for service or endeavor (; ; ; ; ; ; ). Of God it is said that “he looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle,†i.e. strengthens them (). On the loins the sword is worn (). It is a sign of mourning to gird the loins with sackcloth (; ; ; ; see also the First Papyrus of Elephantine, l. 20). A man whose strength is in his attachment to truth, in other words is faithful, is spoken of as having his loins girt about with truth (). Thus, the Messiah is described: “Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins†(). One of the most primitive modes of clothing consisted of a fleece tied around the loins ().
The condition of unfitness for service is described in that the loins (kesÌ£el) are filled with a burning (, the King James Version “loathsome diseaseâ€), or that “a sore burden†is laid upon the “loins†(moÌ„then, ). Thus the loins are made “continually to shake†(), “the joints of (the) loins†(hÌ£ărac) are loosed (), the “loins are filled with anguish†(). It is very likely that originally a disabling lumbago or the painful affections of the gall or the bladder (calculus, etc.) are meant, but very soon the expression becomes merely metaphorical to express personal helplessness, especially that which can but rely upon assistance and help from God.