Loin
Loin
(usually in the dual, , chalatsa’yim, as the seat of strength, spoken of as the place of the girdle, Job 38:3; Job 40:7; Isa 5:27 [“reins,” 11:5]; Job 32:1; or as a part of the body generally, Job 31:20; Jer 30:6 [so the Chald. plur. , Dan 5:6]; by euphemism for the generative power, Gen 35:11; 1Ki 8:19; 2Ch 6:9; also , mothna’yin, as the seat of strength, Gr. , which are the other terms properly so rendered, and refer to that part of the body simply; but , kesalim’, Psa 38:7, means the flanks, as elsewhere rendered, prop. the internal muscles of the loins, near the kidneys, to which the fat adheres; while , put in (Gen 46:26; Exo 1:5; comp. Jdg 8:30, by euphemism for the seat of generation, properly signifies the thigh, as elsewhere rendered, being plainly distinguished from the true loin in Exo 28:42), the part of the back and side between the hip and the ribs, which, as being, as it were, the pivot of the body, is most sensibly affected by pain or terror (Deu 33:11; Job 40:16; Psa 38:7; Psa 69:23; Isa 21:3; Jer 30:6; Eze 21:6; Eze 29:7; Dan 5:6; Nah 2:10). This part of the body was especially girt with sackcloth, in token of mourning (Gen 37:34; 1Ki 20:31-32; Psa 66:11; Isa 20:2; Isa 32:11; Jer 48:37; Amo 8:10). The term is most frequently used with allusion to the girdle which encompassed this part of the body, i.q. the waist; especially in the phrase to “gird up the loins,” i.e., prepare for vigorous effort, either literally (1Ki 18:46; 2Ki 4:29; 2Ki 9:1; Pro 31:17), or oftener as a metaphor borrowed from the loose and flowing dress of Orientals, which requires to be gathered closely at the waist, or even to have the skirts tucked up into the belt before engaging in any exertion or enterprise (Job 38:3; Job 40:7; Jer 1:17; Luk 12:35; 1Pe 1:13). SEE GIRDLE.