Sides
The Meaning of 'Sides' in Scripture
The English word 'sides' in the Bible most frequently translates the Hebrew noun yarekh (יָרֵךְ), which fundamentally means 'thigh,' 'flank,' or 'loin.' It refers to the upper part of the leg or the side of the body. This is distinct from other Hebrew words for 'side,' such as tsad (צַד), which indicates a lateral direction. The term yarekh carries significant symbolic weight beyond mere anatomy, often connected to strength, progeny, and solemn oaths.
Key Biblical Narratives and Rituals
One of the most prominent uses appears in the story of Jacob wrestling with the divine figure at Peniel (Genesis 32:22-32). Jacob is struck on the 'socket of his thigh' (yarekh), resulting in a lasting limp that becomes a sign of his encounter and transformation. This physical marking signifies a pivotal moment in the formation of Israel.
The 'thigh' is also central to oath-taking rituals. In an ancient custom, a person would place their hand under another's thigh (yarekh) to swear a solemn oath, particularly concerning familial or covenantal promises. Abraham's servant does this when swearing to find a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:2, 9), and Jacob makes Joseph swear in the same manner concerning his burial (Genesis 47:29-31). This act likely symbolized the source of life and future generations, making the oath binding on one's descendants.
In priestly legislation, the 'thigh' is designated as a portion of certain peace and consecration offerings reserved for the priests (Exodus 29:27; Leviticus 7:32-34; 10:14-15). The 'thigh that is the heave offering' represents a dedicated share from the people's sacrifices, sustaining the priestly tribe.
Architectural and Figurative Uses
The term is also used architecturally for the 'side' or 'flank' of structures like the tabernacle (Exodus 26:22, 27) and the temple (Ezekiel 41:5-6), describing the narrower sides that completed the framework. Figuratively, the 'thigh' can represent military strength or the seat of power, as when God promises that a ruler's scepter will not depart from Judah, 'nor the ruler's staff from between his feet' (Genesis 49:10), a phrase closely associated with the loins.
Translation and Interpretation
Modern translations sometimes render yarekh with more specific terms. For example, in Jonah 1:5, where the KJV says Jonah was in the 'sides' of the ship, most modern versions read 'innermost parts' or 'hold,' understanding it as the recessed, sheltered area of the vessel's hull.
Biblical Context
The term appears primarily in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus) in narratives involving the patriarchs and in priestly ritual law. Key narratives include the oaths sworn to Abraham and Jacob (Genesis 24:2, 47:29) and Jacob's wrestling injury (Genesis 32:25, 31-32). It is also used in the instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 26-27) and in the allocation of sacrificial portions to the priests (Leviticus 7:32-34; 10:14-15). Later uses appear in poetic (Psalm 45:3) and prophetic books (Ezekiel 24:4).
Theological Significance
The biblical concept of 'sides' (as yarekh) connects physicality with spiritual reality. The oath-swearing ritual underscores the solemn, intergenerational nature of God's covenant promises, linking one's word to the future lineage God will provide. Jacob's injured thigh signifies that encounters with God leave a mark, transforming human strength into dependence on divine blessing. The priestly portion from the thigh highlights the principle that those who minister at the altar share in the offerings, pointing to God's provision for his servants. Collectively, it teaches that God is concerned with the whole person—body, actions, and legacy—within the framework of covenant relationship.
Historical Background
The practice of swearing an oath with a hand under the thigh is attested in ancient Near Eastern cultures as a particularly binding act. It invoked not only the person but their progeny and the life-force believed to reside in the loins. Archaeological findings from Mesopotamian and Hittite treaties show that solemn covenants often involved symbolic actions and self-curses to ensure fidelity. The designation of specific animal parts (like the thigh and breast) for priests is paralleled in other ancient cultic systems, where portions of sacrifices were allocated to the temple personnel as their due share for service.