מֹתֶן
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
Definition
The Hebrew noun מֹתֶן (môthen) primarily refers to the physical 'waist' or 'loins' of the human body. In its singular form, it can denote the waist or small of the back, as seen when Elijah 'girded up his loins' (1 Kings 18:46). In its plural form, it overwhelmingly refers to the loins, the region of the body associated with strength, procreation, and the seat of emotions. This dual physical and metaphorical usage is significant, as the loins are the place from which a belt or girdle is fastened (Exodus 12:11) and are symbolically connected to lineage and blessing (Genesis 37:34, Deuteronomy 33:11). The KJV's unique translation as 'greyhound' in Proverbs 30:31 is a debated interpretation based on the animal's 'girt in the loins.'
Biblical Usage
The word is used 45 times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and legal texts. It appears in key contexts: 1) Preparation for action, where girding the loins signifies readiness (Exodus 12:11, 1 Kings 18:46). 2) Mourning or distress, where loosening or covering the loins expresses grief (Genesis 37:34, 2 Samuel 20:8). 3) Legal and priestly ordinances concerning modesty (Exodus 28:42). 4) Symbolic language for blessing, strength, and progeny (Deuteronomy 33:11, 1 Kings 2:5). The plural form is far more common than the singular.
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to be slender' or 'to be thin,' pointing directly to the narrowest part of the torso—the waist. This root concept connects to the physical shape the word describes. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic *mtn* and Arabic *matn*, both relating to the waist or back.
Semantic Range
The 'loins' are a significant theological metaphor in Scripture. They represent the source of physical strength and readiness for God's service (girding the loins). They are also intimately tied to covenant lineage and the promised blessing passed from one generation to the next, as seen in patriarchal blessings (Genesis 35:11) and Davidic covenant language (1 Kings 2:5). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing how biblical authors connected physical posture and anatomy to spiritual concepts of preparedness, grief, inheritance, and covenantal faithfulness.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the loins were viewed as the center of a person's physical power and the seat of generative life. Girding one's loins with a belt was a necessary practical step before strenuous work or travel, lifting the long tunic to allow free movement. This action became a powerful cultural symbol for mental and spiritual preparedness. The association of the loins with progeny reflects the cultural priority on lineage and the belief that blessings and curses were physically carried in one's body and passed to descendants.
חֲלָצַיִם (chalatsayim, H2504) — also 'loins,' but often with a stronger emphasis on the hips or as the seat of procreative power. כָּסָל (kasal, H3689) — 'loin' or 'flank,' used less frequently, often for the side of an animal or in metaphorical contexts for strength.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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