Bible Word Study
קַרְסֹל
qarçôl · an ankle (as a protuberance or joint)
קַרְסֹל
an ankle (as a protuberance or joint)
Definition
The Hebrew noun קַרְסֹל (qarçôl) refers specifically to the ankle or ankle joint, understood as a prominent, bending part of the body that provides stability and mobility. It appears in two identical poetic passages describing God's empowering support for a warrior. In both 2 Samuel 22:37 and Psalm 18:36, the phrase 'you broaden my steps beneath me, and my ankles (qarçôl) do not slip' uses the ankle as a metaphor for sure-footedness and divine protection in battle, preventing a stumble or fall.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in two parallel poetic texts: 2 Samuel 22:37 and Psalm 18:36. Both are part of a song of thanksgiving attributed to David, celebrating God's deliverance from enemies. The usage is metaphorical, where the physical stability of the ankle represents the spiritual and military stability provided by God. The context is always one of divine support enabling victorious, unwavering movement.
Etymology
קַרְסֹל (qarçôl) is derived from the root קָרַס (qāras, H7164), which means 'to stoop' or 'bend down.' This root connection highlights the ankle's function as a bending joint. The noun form denotes the specific anatomical part that enables this bending motion, emphasizing its protuberant, jointed nature.
Semantic Range
Though a simple anatomical term, its metaphorical use in Scripture carries theological weight. It illustrates God's active role in providing stability and preventing moral or spiritual failure for those who rely on Him. The image enriches the understanding of God as a firm foundation who secures the believer's 'steps' (Psalm 37:23), ensuring they do not slip into defeat or sin. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sure-footedness was a critical military asset, especially on uneven terrain or in hand-to-hand combat. A secure ankle joint was synonymous with maintained balance, strength, and the ability to pursue or stand firm in battle. The metaphor would have been immediately powerful to an audience familiar with the physical demands of warfare and the peril of a turned ankle. פַּעַם (paʿam, H6471) — a more general term for 'foot,' 'step,' or 'time,' focusing on the foot's movement or impact rather than its joint. רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — the common, broad term for the entire 'foot' or 'leg.'
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]