פַּרְשְׁדֹן

פַּרְשְׁדֹן

the crotch (or anus)

Definition

פַּרְשְׁדֹן (parshᵉdôn) refers to the lower torso or groin area, specifically the crotch or anus. It appears only once in the Old Testament in Judges 3:22, describing the location where Ehud's sword was lodged after he assassinated King Eglon. The term denotes a vulnerable, hidden part of the body, often associated with shame or defilement in ancient Near Eastern contexts. While some translations render it as 'dirt' (KJV) or 'excrement' based on context, the primary anatomical sense is the bodily orifice or the region between the legs.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Judges 3:22. It occurs in the graphic narrative of Ehud's assassination of the Moabite king Eglon. The context is violent and humiliating, describing how Ehud's sword pierced Eglon's belly and was concealed in the 'parshᵉdôn,' with the handle also disappearing into the fat. The usage emphasizes the shocking and dishonorable nature of the king's death.

Etymology

The etymology of פַּרְשְׁדֹן is uncertain but may derive from a compound of פָּרָשׁ (pārāsh, H6567, meaning 'to spread out' or 'make distinct') and פָּרַד (pārad, H6504, meaning 'to separate' or 'divide'), suggesting the sense of 'straddling' or the divided area of the body. It is possibly related to פַּרְשֵׁז (parshēz, H6576), meaning 'to spread' (as in spreading the legs). This points to an original meaning connected to the parted or spread region of the lower body.

Semantic Range

The use of פַּרְשְׁדֹן in Judges 3:22 carries theological weight in depicting God's judgment against oppression. Eglon, an enemy of Israel, meets a humiliating end that underscores the theme of divine reversal—where the powerful are brought low. The graphic detail highlights the completeness of God's deliverance through unlikely means (Ehud, a left-handed judge) and serves as a stark narrative of justice, showing that even a king's hidden shame is exposed in judgment. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by emphasizing the cultural shock and theological irony in the story. In ancient Israelite and Near Eastern culture, the groin or anal area was associated with extreme shame, vulnerability, and defilement. A wound or exposure there was considered deeply dishonoring, often symbolizing total defeat or curse. The description in Judges 3:22 would have been vividly shocking to original audiences, amplifying the narrative's impact as a tale of divine retribution against a tyrannical ruler. Modern readers might miss this cultural nuance, viewing it merely as a physical detail rather than a symbol of utter degradation. מתנים (motnayim, H4975) — loins or hips, a more general term for the lower back/waist area; יָרֵךְ (yārēkh, H3409) — thigh, often used euphemistically for generative parts; שָׁפָה (shāphāh, H8193) — lip or edge, sometimes for bodily orifice but not specific.

Word Details