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ὀσφῦς

osphŷs

G3751 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The lower part of the back or body between the ribs and hips, 'loin' or 'waist'; by extension, refers metaphorically to the seat of physical strength or procreative power, particularly in reference to descendants or the generative function. The term can denote both the anatomical area (loins, hips) and, figuratively, lineage or offspring (as from 'the loins').

Semantic Range

lower back, waist, hips, loins (anatomical); seat of procreative power, source of offspring (figurative); preparedness or strength (idiomatic: 'gird your loins')

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain. No clear cognates in classical Greek; possibly related to words describing anatomical regions, but precise derivation is unknown.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὀσφῦς refers literally to the physical waist, hips, or loins—the pivotal area between the lower ribs and pelvis. In the Septuagint and Hellenistic Greek, especially in biblical contexts, the term acquires figurative meaning as the seat of strength, masculinity, or generative power—echoing Hebrew idiom (e.g. Genesis 46:26 LXX translates Hebrew יָרֵךְ 'thigh/loins'). In the New Testament (e.g. Luke 12:35, 1 Peter 1:13), ὀσφῦς can refer metaphorically to preparedness ('girding your loins') or to one’s descendants (‘from the loins of’). Standard English translations often render the term as 'loins', but this may obscure its use as both a literal anatomical reference and a metaphorical expression for physical vigor or lineage. While the term is not common in non-biblical Koine, its figurative sense follows the established biblical tradition.

Translation Consistency

primary "loins" 4 occurrences

'Loins' is the most natural, idiomatic English for ὀσφῦς in biblical contexts (e.g. 'gird your loins', 'from his loins'), and it appeared in the majority of existing renderings. It covers both the anatomical sense (lower back/waist/hips) and the common figurative senses (seat of strength, source of offspring), making it the best single consistent choice.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"loin" (4x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; the loin (externally), i.e. the hip; internally (by extension) procreative power:--loin.

Root Family

ὀσφῦς (osphys) — loins, waist, hips

Root ὀσφῦς loins, waist, hips

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3751-04 ὀσφὺν osphun N ACC F SG loins loin loin 3
G3751-05 ὀσφύος osphuos N GEN F SG loins of the loin loins 2
G3751-01 ὀσφύας osphuas N ACC F PL loins loins loins 1
G3751-03 ὀσφύϊ osphui N DAT F SG loins to the loin loin 1
G3751-02 ὀσφύες osphues N NOM F PL loins loins loins 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3751-04 Matthew 3:4 ὀσφὺν osphun N ACC F SG loins loin loin
G3751-04 Mark 1:6 ὀσφὺν osphun N ACC F SG waist loin loin
G3751-02 Luke 12:35 ὀσφύες osphues N NOM F PL loins loins loins
G3751-05 Acts 2:30 ὀσφύος osphuos N GEN F SG of his loins of the loin loins
G3751-04 Ephesians 6:14 ὀσφὺν osphun N ACC F SG loins loin loin
G3751-05 Hebrews 7:5 ὀσφύος osphuos N GEN F SG loins of the loin loins
G3751-03 Hebrews 7:10 ὀσφύϊ osphui N DAT F SG loins to the loin loin
G3751-01 1 Peter 1:13 ὀσφύας osphuas N ACC F PL loins loins loins
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