Lexical Summary osphus: Loins, waist Original Word: ὀσφύς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance loin. Of uncertain affinity; the loin (externally), i.e. The hip; internally (by extension) procreative power -- loin. HELPS Word-studies 3751 osphýs – properly, the hip (reproductive area); used figuratively in 1 Pet 1:13 of the "reproductive" (creative) capacity of the renewed mind (cf. Ro 12:1-3). [3751 (osphýs) is "the seat of generative power (Heb 7:5,10, Abbott-Smith). "To smite the loins" referred to a fatal blow – "forever ending" anything that would (could) come from the slain.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition the loin NASB Translation descendants* (1), descended* (1), loins (2), waist (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3751: ὀσφύςὀσφύς (or ὀσφύς, so R Tr in Ephesians 6:14; G in Matthew 3:4; cf. Chandler §§ 658, 659; Tdf. Proleg., p. 101), ὀσφύος, ἡ, from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; 1. the hip (loin), as that part of the body where the ζώνη was worn (the Sept. for מָתְנַיִם): Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6; hence, περιζωννυσθαι τάς ὀσφύας, to gird, gird about, the loins, Luke 12:35; Ephesians 6:14; and ἀναζωννυσθαι τάς ὀσφύας (to gird up the loins), 1 Peter 1:13; on the meaning of these metaphorical, phrases see ἀναζώννυμι. 2. a loin, the Sept. several times for חֲלָצַיִם, the (two) loins, where the Hebrews thought the generative power (semen) resided (?); hence, καρπός τῆς ὀσφύος, fruit of the loins, offspring, Acts 2:30 (see καρπός, 1 at the end); ἐξέρχεσθαι ἐκ τῆς ὀσφύος τίνος, to come forth out of one's loins i. e. derive one's origin or descent from one, Hebrews 7:5 (see ἐξέρχομαι, 2 b.); ἔτι ἐν τῇ ὀσφύϊ τίνος, to be yet in the loins of someone (an ancestor), Hebrews 7:10. The Greek noun appearing eight times in the New Testament designates the mid-section of the body, yet Scripture consistently expands the idea beyond anatomy. In biblical thought this region represents strength, generative power, readiness for movement, and the seat of descendants yet unborn. Each occurrence either preserves the literal sense of the human waist or employs it figuratively to emphasize preparedness, covenant lineage, or spiritual integrity. Literal Attire and Cultural Context In Matthew 3:4 and Mark 1:6 the word describes the place where John the Baptist wore “a leather belt around his waist,” a striking visual that linked him to Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) and underscored prophetic austerity. A tightened belt allowed freedom of movement and symbolized single-minded devotion, contrasting with luxurious dress (Luke 7:25). Thus, even the strictly literal instances carry moral weight: the simple, girded servant stands ready for the Lord’s purposes. Symbol of Readiness and Service Luke 12:35 presents the master’s command: “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning”. The girded waist marks a vigilant servant awaiting the Lord’s return. 1 Peter 1:13 transfers the same image to the inner life: “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”. Mental looseness must be cinched tight; disciplined thought precedes holy living. The backdrop is the ancient practice of tucking the long robe into a belt before work or battle. Tucked fabric connoted urgency; a slack robe suggested leisure. Believers are summoned to a continual posture of watchfulness. Genealogical and Covenantal Significance Acts 2:30 recalls the oath to David that God would raise up “one of his descendants to sit on his throne” (literally “from the fruit of his loins”). Hebrews 7:5 notes that Levites, though “from the loins of Abraham,” received tithes from their brethren; verse 10 states Levi was “still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.” The term here points to unborn posterity resident within the patriarch. Scripture views ancestry not merely biologically but covenantally: promises given to Abraham encompass those yet un-conceived. This perspective preserves continuity in the redemptive storyline: the Messiah, prophesied and oath-guaranteed, emerges from the very same “loins” that carried the priestly tribe. Genealogy is therefore theological, binding generations to divine fidelity. Messianic Lineage and Priestly Implications Hebrews contrasts two priesthoods. Levi, seminally in Abraham’s body, pays tithes to Melchizedek, establishing the latter’s superiority. Consequently the messianic priest “in the order of Melchizedek” surpasses the Levitical line. The location of Levi “in the loins” underlines corporate identity: what the patriarch does, his seed does. This concept safeguards the writer’s argument that Christ, though from Judah, lawfully supersedes the old priesthood. Spiritual Warfare and Sanctification Ephesians 6:14 connects the girded waist to the believer’s armor: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist”. The soldier’s belt held the sword and strengthened the core; truth stabilizes the Christian, securing every other piece of armor. The imagery unites mental readiness (1 Peter 1:13), vigilant service (Luke 12:35), and militant steadfastness (Ephesians 6:14), revealing a single biblical motif: covenant servants must cinch themselves with divine reality before they engage the world. Application to Contemporary Discipleship 1. Cultivate disciplined thinking. The loose, distracted mind cannot remain holy (1 Peter 1:13). Summary Across Gospel narrative, apostolic exhortation, and theological argument, the New Testament employs this term to portray the waist as the locus of preparedness, generational continuity, and inward fortitude. Whether describing a prophet’s rugged belt, servants awaiting their master, or the unseen seed within Abraham, the Spirit uses one physical image to urge believers of every era to stand ready, rooted in truth, and conscious of their place in God’s unfolding covenant plan. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 3:4 N-AFSGRK: περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ ἡ NAS: around his waist; and his food KJV: about his loins; and his INT: about the waist of him Mark 1:6 N-AFS Luke 12:35 N-NFP Acts 2:30 N-GFS Ephesians 6:14 N-AFS Hebrews 7:5 N-GFS Hebrews 7:10 N-DFS 1 Peter 1:13 N-AFP Strong's Greek 3751 |
    |