Lexical Summary qarsol: Ankle Original Word: קַרְסֹל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance foot From qarac; an ankle (as a protuberance or joint) -- foot. see HEBREW qarac NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qaras Definition ankle NASB Translation feet (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [קַרְסֹל] noun [feminine AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 77] ankle (compare ᵐ5 ᵑ9 2 Samuel 22:37; = ל + קֶרֶס see Köii. 1, 121; plural suffix קַסֻלָּ֑י 2 Samuel 22:37 = Psalm 18:37). Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Literary Setting The noun appears only in 2 Samuel 22:37 and Psalm 18:36, parallel songs of David celebrating the Lord’s deliverance from every enemy. In each instance the term is singular, picturing the ankle as the critical hinge between foot and leg upon which balance, speed, and strength depend: “You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way.” (2 Samuel 22:37) Symbol of Stability and Sure-Footedness 1. Physical footing in rugged terrain. David’s life unfolded among steep hills, wadis, and narrow ridges. For a warrior-king, a weakened ankle meant certain defeat. The inspired imagery therefore speaks to real military advantage granted by God—widened paths for rapid pursuit and firm joints for unbroken momentum. Theological Themes • Divine enablement over human frailty. While the ankle is small, its failure imperils the entire person. Scripture thus magnifies grace by focusing on a vulnerable point. The Lord’s strengthening of the least part ensures the victory of the whole. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near Eastern armies depended on long marches across uneven ground. Sprains disabled soldiers and delayed campaigns. Contemporary medical texts from Egypt and Mesopotamia record treatments for ankle injuries, highlighting the common threat. In Israel’s hill country, success against Philistine, Amalekite, or Aramean foes demanded agile footing. David’s testimony therefore resonated with every veteran of battle and every traveler on the rocky paths of Judah. Intertextual Echoes Psalm 18 places the secure ankle alongside other musculoskeletal images: “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He stations me upon the heights” (Psalm 18:33). Together they portray full-body empowerment—ankle, foot, leg—signifying total sufficiency in the Lord. Later texts echo the idea: “He will guard the feet of His saints” (1 Samuel 2:9) and “strengthen the weak knees” (Isaiah 35:3). The ankle thus joins the biblical anatomy of salvation, culminating in the Acts 3 miracle where a lame man’s “feet and ankles were made strong,” a New Covenant confirmation of the same divine power at work. Practical Ministry Applications • Assurance in uncertain terrain. Believers facing instability—economic, relational, or cultural—may pray David’s words, trusting God to enlarge the path and fortify every weakness. Christological Perspective David’s royal song foreshadows the greater Son who never stumbled in obedience. Though His heel was bruised (Genesis 3:15), Jesus Christ stood steadfast, securing eternal victory. The Lord who steadied David now anchors believers “so that you will not stumble” (Jude 24), fulfilling the ankle promise on a cosmic scale. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 7166 serves as a vivid, concentrated picture of God’s meticulous protection and empowerment. By guarding the very joint that keeps a warrior upright, the Lord showcases His intimate involvement in both the grand battles and the minute details of His people’s journey, ensuring that every step taken in His name stands firm. Forms and Transliterations קַרְסֻלָּֽי׃ קרסלי׃ karsulLai qar·sul·lāy qarsullāyLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 22:37 HEB: וְלֹ֥א מָעֲד֖וּ קַרְסֻלָּֽי׃ NAS: under me, And my feet have not slipped. KJV: my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip. INT: have not slipped and my feet Psalm 18:36 2 Occurrences |
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