חֲרַץ

חֲרַץ

the loin (as the seat of strength)

Definition

The Hebrew word חֲרַץ (chărats) refers specifically to the 'loin' or 'hip,' understood in the ancient world as the seat of physical strength and vigor. In its sole biblical occurrence in Daniel 5:6, it describes the physical weakening of King Belshazzar, whose 'loins were loosed'—a vivid idiom for his knees knocking together in terror. This usage aligns with the common ancient Near Eastern concept of the loins as the center of bodily power and stability. The word's meaning is consistent and does not carry multiple senses in the biblical text.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Daniel 5:6. It appears in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel, describing the immediate physical reaction of King Belshazzar upon seeing the mysterious handwriting on the wall. The phrase 'his loins were loosed' ('wəḥarṣ֖וֹהִי נִשְׁתַּנַּ֑ו') is a graphic depiction of sudden, paralyzing fear that saps a person's core strength, fitting the narrative's dramatic context of divine judgment.

Etymology

חֲרַץ (chărats) is an Aramaic noun used in the biblical Aramaic sections of Daniel. It derives from a root corresponding to the Hebrew root חָרַץ (charats, H2782), which carries meanings related to being sharp, decided, or vigorous. The semantic development likely moved from the idea of 'sharpness' or 'decision' to 'vigor,' and then specifically to the 'loin' as the bodily location of that vigor and strength.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a simple anatomical term, its use in Daniel 5:6 is theologically significant. It serves as a physical marker of a profound spiritual reality: the terror that strikes a proud ruler when confronted directly by the judgment of the God of Israel. Understanding this Hebrew/Aramaic idiom enriches the reading of the passage, highlighting the complete and immediate collapse of human arrogance before divine sovereignty. The weakening of the loins—the seat of strength—symbolizes the total inability of human power to stand against God's decree. In the ancient cultural context, the loins (hips and lower back) were not merely an anatomical reference but were widely viewed as the center of a person's physical power and vitality. Girding one's loins (e.g., 1 Kings 18:46) meant preparing for vigorous action, while the loins being 'loosed' or shaking signified extreme fear, weakness, or the breaking of one's spirit. This understanding is key to grasping the full impact of the description of Belshazzar's terror. מתנים (motnayim, H4975) — The more common Hebrew word for 'loins' or 'hips,' used throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Genesis 37:34, Job 40:16). חֲלָצַיִם (chalatsayim, H2504) — Also means 'loins,' often in contexts of girding for battle or as the place where a garment is fastened (e.g., 2 Kings 1:8).

Word Details