Meaning of Putting Hand Under Thigh in Biblical Context
The Hebrew phrase "putting hand under thigh" appears in Genesis 24:2, where Abraham instructs his chief servant to "place your hand under my thigh" as a gesture accompanying an oath [1]. The phrase is repeated in Genesis 24:9, where the servant complies with Abraham's request [4].
The Hebrew word "thigh" (יָרֵך, yarek) is associated with the concept of strength or power, and in this context, it may be related to the covenant of circumcision [2]. The act of putting one's hand under another's thigh is interpreted in various ways by commentators. Some see it as a reference to the circumcised member, making the oath a solemn invocation of the covenant between God and Abraham [6, 7].
According to Adam Clarke, the true sense of the phrase is given in the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel, which interprets it as "in sectione circumcisionis meae" or "under the thigh of my covenant" [6]. Abraham Ibn Ezra offers a different interpretation, suggesting that the practice was a custom in those days, where a person would place their hand under the thigh of their master as a sign of subjection [7].
The phrase is not limited to Genesis; other biblical references to the thigh or hip area are associated with strength, power, or significant events. For example, Jacob's thigh is touched by an angel during their wrestling match in Genesis 32:25-33 [8].
The gesture of putting one's hand under another's thigh is understood by some as a symbol of fealty or loyalty, as seen in 1 Chronicles 29:24, where the princes "gave the hand under Solomon" as a sign of their submission [9]. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the Hebrew word "hand" (יָד, yad) is often used to signify power, authority, or control [2, 3, 5].
The meaning of "putting hand under thigh" is multifaceted, encompassing themes of oath-taking, covenant, loyalty, and authority. While the exact significance of the gesture remains unclear, its association with solemn oaths and covenantal contexts is evident in the biblical text. The various interpretations offered by commentators highlight the complexity and richness of this ancient Hebrew practice.
Sources
- Genesis “Genesis 24:2 (BSB) — So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,”
- Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H3027] yad (part 14/14) — יַד תַּחַת under the hand = in the possession, at the disposal of; וגו חֲנִית תַֿחַתיָָֽֿדְךָ יֶשׁמֹּֿה ׳וְאִין 1Sam 21:9; = in the power of, subject to Isa 3:6 come, thou shalt be our ruler and this ruin under thy hand; plural followed by verb, יָדֶיהָ תַּחַת וְהִתְעַנִּי Gen 16:9 (J) and submit thyself under her hands, her authority, Isa 3:6. — יַד מִתַּחַת see g. (1) above, and below תַּחַת. **For יַך מִתַּחַת, 2Kin 8:20; 8:22 ( = 2Chr 21:8; 21:10), 13:5; 17:7. יך 1Sam 4:13 Kt; error for יד Qr. יַד noun feminineDan 5:5 hand (see Biblical Hebrew); — construct ׳”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hands, The — Necessary members of the body -- 1Co 12:21. Parts of, mentioned The palm. -- Isa 49:16; Mt 26:67. The thumb. -- Ex 29:20; Le 14:14,17. The fingers. -- 2Sa 21:20; Da 5:5. God strengthens -- Ge 49:24. God makes impotent -- Job 5:12. Operations of, mentioned Feeling. -- Ps 115:7; 1Jo 1:1. Taking. -- Ge 3:22; Ex 4:4. Holding. -- Jdj 7:20; Re 10:2. Working. -- Pr 31:19; 1Th 4:11. Writing. -- Isa 44:5; Ga 6:11. Making signs. -- Isa 13:2; Ac 12:17. Striking. -- Mr 14:65; Joh 19:3. Distinguished as The right. -- Ac 3:7. The left. -- Ge 14:15; Ac 21:3. Many alike”
- Genesis “The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter. -- Genesis 24:9”
- STEPBible TAHOT “Isa.37.27#03=L — Hebrew tagged text (TAHOT): יָ֔ד [Yad] "hand"”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 24:9: Put his hand under the thigh of Abraham - This form of swearing has greatly puzzled the commentators; but it is useless to detail opinions which I neither believe myself, nor would wish my readers to credit. I believe the true sense is given in the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel, and that called the Jerusalem Targum. In the former it is said, Put now thy hand בגזית מהולתי bigzirath mehulathi, in sectione circumcisionis meoe; in the latter תחות ירך קימי techoth yerech keyami, sub femore foederis mei. When we put the circumstances mentioned in this and the third verse”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 24:2: PUT, I PRAY THEE, THY HAND UNDER MY THIGH. Some say that my thigh alludes to Abraham’s circumcised member. 3 One who takes an oath must take hold of a holy object. The circumcised member is such an object. Cf. Shebuot 38b and Rashi. However, if this were the case, then Abraham should have made him swear by the covenant of circumcision, and not by the Lord. 4 One swears by the holy object that one is holding. I believe that it was customary in those days for a person to place his hand under the thigh of his master, its meaning being, “If you are subject to my a”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Genesis 32:26: ויגע בכף ירכו HE TOUCHED THE HOLLOW OF HIS THIGH — The upper thigh-bone that is sunk in the hip is called כף because the flesh on it (on this bone) has the form of the hollow part of a pot-ladle (כף).”
- 1 Chronicles (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Chronicles 29:24: Submitted themselves - נתנו יד תחת שלמה nathenu yad tachath Shelomoh. "They gave the hand under Solomon;" they swore fealty to him. We have already seen that putting the hand under the thigh (super sectionem circumcisionis) was the form of taking an oath. See the note on Gen 24:9.”